Farming funding rule change worries first minister
A UK authorities change to its future funding help guidelines for Welsh agriculture are of “enormous concern”, the primary minister has informed MPs.
Eluned Morgan mentioned the transfer to a funding formulation may see Wales shedding out, with the FUW farming union warning of a minimize of practically £150m a 12 months, or greater than 40%.
Labour UK ministers will not ring-fence farm money, with future allocations being rolled in to the overall funding they offer the Welsh authorities.
The primary minister mentioned Wales has the next proportion of farmers than different elements of the UK and the brand new rule “won’t recognise that”.
Morgan was addressing the Welsh Affairs Committee at Westminster.
The brand new rule on shifting to what’s known as the Barnett formulation was introduced in final October’s UK Funds.
Beneath Barnett, the Welsh authorities receives round 5% of spending will increase on issues in England, akin to well being and schooling, that ministers in Cardiff are accountable for in Wales.
Answering a query from Labour Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell, she mentioned: “Should you simply do a Barnett consequential, you are speaking a few 5% [increase] whereas, truly, in terms of agriculture we ought to be considerably increased than that.
“So it’s a enormous concern that that has been modified.”
Morgan, who can be chief of Welsh Labour, added that she was not anxious concerning the present degree of funding “it is about what occurs in future, that won’t recognise that we now have the next share of farmers relative to different elements of the UK”.
Talking after the session, Plaid Cymru agriculture spokesperson in Westminster Ann Davies mentioned her celebration had “on a number of events raised these considerations with UK authorities ministers, who’ve failed to supply readability or assurances that future funding will replicate Wales’ increased proportion of farmers”.
“That the Labour first minister is now additionally expressing considerations solely reinforces the urgency of this difficulty.
“The UK authorities should assure that Welsh agriculture won’t lose out sooner or later.”
A UK authorities spokesperson mentioned: “The Funds offered the Welsh authorities with a report £21bn settlement and it receives over 20% extra funding per particular person than equal UK authorities spending.
“It’s for the Welsh authorities to allocate this throughout its devolved duties, which embrace agriculture, to ship on the priorities of individuals in Wales and help the Welsh rural economic system.”
The primary minister additionally informed the MPs she had talks with Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier on Wednesday.
The discussions included threats to metal and President Trump’s plan to impose a 25% tariff on metal imported to america.
“I am certain we’re all very involved to see what President Trump is suggesting by way of metal tariffs and we do not know the place that’s going to finish,” she mentioned.
“It’s definitely one thing that I raised with the chancellor this morning, who assured me that she could be very a lot this case and is delicate to the wants of that exact trade.”
Later, Morgan is attending a dinner hosted by the King at Windsor Fort.
Sir Keir Starmer and the primary ministers of Northern Eire, Scotland and Wales, in addition to the Northern Eire deputy first minister, will even be on the occasion.
