WALES' public spending cuts will not be as bad as feared Powys’ leading politicians have claimed.
Chancellor George Osborne unveiled proposals from the comprehensive spending review on Wednesday.
The resulting cuts were expected to decimate public services. However Kirsty Williams, Leader for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, was upbeat. “This settlement is better news for Wales than many were predicting.”
Roger Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire echoed Kirsty Williams’ sentiments: “We have protected the health budget and more than protected the schools budget by providing funds for less well-off families.
"The Government's decision to protect health and education spending means that the Welsh Assembly government will do proportionately better than the rest of the UK.
“At the end of the four year period the annual contribution to the Welsh Assembly government will be £200 million a year more than this year’s contribution.”
Nick Bourne, Leader of Welsh Conservatives insisted that "Labour and Plaid expected it to be worse than it is, but it's not too bad for Wales.
"Wales is in a good place, especially with the commitment to look at the Barnett Formula." The Barnett Formula automatically adjusts how much funding is allocated to devolved nations.
Roger Williams was equally insistent on the need for these cuts: "This year we will spend £43 billion on interest payments on the deficit - that is an outrageous figure, and we must cut the deficit immediately so that we can get back in a position where we can properly invest in public services.”
The Welsh Assembly government’s official response was much bleaker in tone, calling the announcement “a hammer blow for the people of Wales,” and warning that the cuts will “undoubtedly hit Wales harder than other parts of the UK because we are already under-funded.”
However, local politicians were unanimous in presenting a relieved and optimistic take on the review.