Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on ensuring adequate levels of funding for public services in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Welsh Government is well-funded to deliver public services in Wales. The 2021 Spending Review set the largest annual block grants, in real terms, of any spending review settlement since the devolution Acts. This provided £18 billion per year for the Welsh Government. This settlement is still growing in real terms this year, and over the three-year spending review period, despite inflation being higher than expected.

In addition, Autumn Statement decisions are increasing Welsh Government funding by around £1.2 billion over 2023-24 and 2024-25. This means the Welsh Government is receiving around 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in other parts of the UK. The Welsh Government also has its own tax powers if it wants to increase spending further.

The Welsh Government and HM Treasury regularly discuss funding issues throughout the year. I have met with the Welsh Government’s Minister for Finance and Local Government three times since I have been in post, most recently on Thursday 17 November.