First Minister demands fairer funding for Wales

Wales deserves its rightful share of UK resources and stronger devolution powers, First Minister Eluned Morgan will declare in a major speech today.

Speaking to the Institute of Government this morning, the First Minister is setting out ambitious priorities for devolution reform that would see Wales receive fairer funding and expanded responsibilities across key policy areas.

At the heart of her proposals is a call for a Constitutional Reform Act to legally protect devolution, alongside an independent oversight process to guarantee fair funding for Wales and the other devolved nations.

The Welsh Government is pushing for devolution of policing, rail infrastructure, youth justice and probation services, as well as the transfer of Crown Estate powers. The First Minister will also urge the Chancellor to permanently grant the Welsh Government full access to its financial reserves.

In her speech, the First Minister will say: “As part of our new chapter on devolution, we have to ensure that UK-wide frameworks enable innovation. I am proposing a new independent adjudicator to ensure financial fairness across the nations.”

She will continue: “The new chapter must be underpinned by a ‘fair share formula’ so that Wales automatically receives its rightful share of UK resources in critical areas like rail, justice, and research and development. I believe that Wales should receive, at a minimum, a Barnett share from all UK-wide investment funding.”

The First Minister will conclude: “That’s what the Welsh Government I lead does and that’s what the next chapter is about.”