Labour Government forced to re-consider Tir Mynydd cuts

3.05.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Oct 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has welcomed the Government's defeat in the budget debate at the Assembly yesterday, saying she hoped it would mean continued funding for the Tir Mynydd scheme.

Following their defeat, the Labour Government must now begin negotiating with opposition parties to create a compromise budget.

Ms Williams said: "Given the Government's minority, they were foolish to present a budget to the Assembly before consulting other parties. Their defeat is no surprise. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will be working hard to ensure the revised budget provides a good deal for the people of Wales.

"One of the proposals on the table is a restoration of the Tir Mynydd budget to the 2005-06 level. This money would offer some security to thousands of hill farmers, who have been subjected to months of uncertainty over proposed cuts. I hope the Government will give our ideas serious consideration, for the benefit of rural areas across Wales."

Notes:

The Government's budget was defeated at the Assembly yesterday. A cross-party amendment, which was passed, read:

"The National Assembly for Wales declines to take note of the draft budget for the Welsh Assembly Government for the financial years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 laid in the Table Office on 17 October 2006 by the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services, as it fails to make either adequate provision, or any at all, for the following matters:

a) a sum equivalent to the 1% efficiency savings of all schools' delegated budgets which should be returned to the schools

b) the budget of Tir Mynydd to be restored to the level set in 2005-6

c) closing the higher education funding gap

d) an increase in the budget allocated for transport grants

e) an increase in the budget allocated to the Ambulance Service

f) an increase in the allowances paid to foster carers

g) financial assistance to community radio stations

h) financial assistance to local authorities to overcome the difficulties they face over:

i. landfill sites

ii. the capital costs of improving care homes

i) transitional relief to local authorities on the withdrawal of rural rate relief

j) the employment of cognitive behaviour therapists

k) financial assistance to provide for play areas for disabled children

l) financial assistance to establish refuges for women who suffer domestic violence in those local authority areas where none currently exist

m) further financial support for the improvement of rail infrastructure

Accordingly the National Assembly for Wales instructs the Finance Minister to lay a revised draft budget to take full account of the matters set out in (a) to (m) above."

Labour's plan was to cut Tir Mynydd payments by a third this year, and 40% next year.

A full transcript of this, and all other, Assembly debates is available from the National Assembly for Wales website (www.wales.gov.uk).