Today, the WLGA has responded to the UK Government’s Spending Review.

Among the Chancellor’s announcements were a pay freeze for public sector workers outside the NHS and an extra £1.3bn in consequentials for the Welsh Government.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said:

We will take time to analyse today’s Spending Review and the implications for Wales. While the extra funding to Welsh Government’s budget is to be welcomed, it could have gone much further as part of the UK Government’s mission to ‘level up’ the country and to acknowledge the huge task of stabilising our communities and economy after the crisis.

We have seen overwhelming public gratitude for the work of our dedicated public sector workers who cared and provided for, and kept our communities running in such tough times. It is therefore disappointing that the Chancellor has confirmed a pay freeze for some in the sector, given public sector workers have committed and contributed so much to date and will continue to play a critical role in the coming months and as we seek to recover from the crisis.

Councillor Anthony Hunt (Torfaen), WLGA Spokesperson for Finance and Resources said:

Councils in Wales have played an enormous part in the recovery of our communities post-COVID.  We will continue to do so working with both the UK and Welsh governments. It is vital that Wales gets the funding it needs to invest in vital public services and its dedicated workforce.

We also need more information on how the Shared Prosperity Fund will work and the amounts to be allocated in future years so we can plan ahead and rebuild our economies.  I would urge the Chancellor to provide more certainty for both our communities and our public sector workers.

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