Member of Parliament for Delyn, Rob Roberts MP, has welcomed the Autumn Statement and has challenged the Welsh Government to step up its game.
Rob Roberts MP is particularly pleased that his campaigning to protect pensions in line with inflation was today committed to by the UK Government, as well as an additional £1.2bn of funding for Wales.
Mr Roberts commented:
“This Autumn Statement today shows that the UK Government has a long term plan back to stability after a turbulent few months.
"The Chancellor once again took difficult decisions and his measures have been welcomed by the Office of Budget Responsibility, the NHS Chief Executive and the Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts.
"Having asked the Chancellor and colleagues this week to stand with the pensioners of Delyn, where we have 20% more over-65’s than the average UK constituency, by protecting their pensions in line with inflation, I was delighted when he officially confirmed that at the House of Commons Despatch Box.
"I am also delighted see that due to the decisions taken today, Wales will get an additional £1.2 billion in Barnett consequential funding and I challenge this Labour run Welsh Government to rise to the occasion and take the necessary steps to protect and prioritise health and education. I feel compelled to point out to them what they seem not to realise – that Wales carries on north of the Valleys and given the difficulties in the North Wales Health Board over more than a decade to remember that they have responsibilities to the people of Delyn and the North as well as their South Wales voter base.”
Other measures in the Spring Statement today included:
- Energy Price Guarantee extended – saving an average household £500.
- Increasing the rate of tax on energy profits by an extra 10%, raising £55 billion.
- From 2025 there will be an introduction of road tax for electric cars, van and motorcycles.
- £600 billion of funds to level up investment and infrastructure across the United Kingdom.