Given Peter Hain's (much hyped) recent comments on the Barnett formula, I had expected some progress in the Pre Budget Report on the Holtham Commission's interim recommendations. Put simply the Commission looking at the way Wales was financed, recommended a system where Wales wouldn't lose out on funding over the next few years. We were assured by Hain that the Treasury would listen, but nothing of the sort came forward from the Chancellor.
Under normal public spending circumstances this would be serious, but in the current climate it is exceptionally serious. Wales stands to lose out on millions of pounds worth of funding, which will mean less money for schools and hospitals and councils and the economy and transport and social justice and ... Link these cuts that public services in Wales are facing to the pay cut for public sector workers and the reduction in pensions and you get a very dismal picture indeed for Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment