Budget Dispute Over Additional Learning Needs Funding
Plaid Cymru proposed allocating £80 million over two years to support children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) as part of negotiations to secure Welsh Labour's backing for the supplementary budget.
Welsh Labour's interim leader, Ken Skates, has stated that unless their conditions are met, the party will have "no choice" but to oppose the supplementary budget. As a minority government, Plaid Cymru requires the support of at least six Members of the Senedd (MSs) from other parties to pass the budget.
Ken Skates criticized Plaid's offer, describing it as a "bad deal for education."
"If we don't get that fair deal for education, then I'm afraid it will leave us with no other option than to vote against the budget."
Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, Nerys Evans, speaking on behalf of the Welsh government, accused Labour of "playing politics" regarding additional funding for the NHS, childcare, and free school meals. She encouraged Labour to resume negotiations before the vote scheduled for Tuesday.
Context of the Supplementary Budget
The supplementary budget represents additional funding allocated to the Welsh government beyond the final budget established by the previous Labour government prior to the May election.
Increased spending by the UK Labour government on ALN, referred to as SEND in England, has resulted in extra funds for the Welsh government. However, this money is not ring-fenced for ALN, allowing the Welsh government discretion in its allocation. Welsh Labour and other parties advocate for a greater portion to be dedicated to ALN.
Plaid Cymru's offer includes £40 million per year over two years aimed at the ALN sector, with commitments to enhance long-term sustainability.
Ken Skates, currently the sole candidate in the Welsh Labour leadership contest, confirmed on Politics Wales that Labour had declined Plaid's proposal.
The ALN system, introduced in 2021 to replace the previous special educational needs framework, aims to better support children requiring additional learning assistance.
Labour has requested £100 million be allocated to ALN, emphasizing the critical need for increased education funding.
"I believe that £40m this year is a bad deal for education, and I believe £40m next year would be another bad deal for education."
Skates asserted that young people in Wales "deserve" an additional £100 million dedicated to education, specifically for ALN.
Responses and Political Positions
Nerys Evans responded to Labour's position by accusing them of "playing politics," highlighting that the £80 million offered by Plaid for ALN exceeds Labour's own planned spending when previously in government.
Evans acknowledged the need for increased investment in ALN and described Plaid's strategy to "surge capacity, look at options for early identification of ALN and look at training" as a sustainable approach.
The supplementary budget also proposes additional expenditures, including £145 million for the NHS, £55 million for childcare, and £15 million for free school meals.
Evans noted that Labour has previously expressed verbal support for these initiatives and urged the party to reconsider its stance on the supplementary budget ahead of the upcoming vote.
The vote on the supplementary budget is scheduled to take place in the Senedd on Tuesday.
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