From BBC Wales yesterday:
Welsh councils are facing “unsustainable” budget pressures over the next few years according to the body which represents them.
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said funding shortfalls could “significantly impact” councils’ ability to deliver essential services.
The BBC has identified a budget shortfall of at least £540m across Wales by 2026-27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2kevnevwxo
From Audit Scotland, in May 2024:
Scotland’s councils are facing a significant gap in the money needed to deliver local services and the money they have available. Together, all 32 councils have a gap of £585 million. This is estimated to increase to £780 million by 2026/27.
Scotland’s population (5.5 million) is 1.7 times that of Wales (3.14 million) so, pro rata, per head, all things being equal in terms of competence, Scotland’s councils might have been expected to face 1.7 times the cuts, ie 918 million. Yet, according the no-friend of the Scot Gov, Audit Scotland, it’s only expected to be £780 million.
So, thanks to UK Labour cuts and Welsh Labour incompetence, their councils are having to make 18% higher cuts than in Scotland!
Footnote: Yes, the Scottish Government’s free bus travel scheme for young people in Scotland is still in place.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Just thought it was time I said “Thank you” for all the information you provide for us all Most grateful! 😀
Sent from the all-new AOL app for iOS
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Thanks Grace
Your appreciation is much appreciated.
John
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We know that the British Labour Party and its media allies in Scotland for the Union would have voters here believe that any shortcomings, all problems in Scotland’s public services can be laid at the door of the SNP Scottish Government.
So it’s good to see comparisons between Scotland and Wales – in education, health and social care, housing, poverty levels, unemployment; economic development and yes, local government funding etc. All can be scrutinised in order to assess the track record of the British Labour Party government in Cardiff during the extended period of Tory rule in Westminster: we in Scotland need to know more about the record of the government in Wales in advance of the 2026 Holyrood election.
To add to the good example in the main blog post, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) published a statement on 24 September headed ‘Additional Investment urgently needed for social care to help mitigate increasing NHS pressures ahead of winter’.
From the statement: ‘As the Welsh Government prepares for another challenging winter in the NHS, working closely with partners, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is calling for increased, urgent investment and parity across the entire health and social care system.
‘… delayed hospital discharges and rising complexity of need are clear indicators of the strain the whole system is under.’ (Delayed discharges in Labour-run Wales? Surely not!)
The WLGA adds: ‘Councils are already spending beyond the funding provided for social care to provide much needed care and support services and without additional resources, delays in the care system and the knock-on effect on health services will only worsen, with vulnerable individuals left waiting for essential care and support.
‘Councils are increasingly concerned about the mounting pressures faced by social care services, which are already straining under workforce shortages, increasing demand, and inflationary pressures. Without immediate and sustained investment, the ability to deliver timely care and support to those who need it most will be severely compromised.’ (How could this be permitted by a British Labour Party government?)
Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, Health and Social Services Spokesperson for the WLGA said: “We can’t keep relying on quick fixes; we need to ensure the right levels of investment are available to ensure we have a properly joined-up system that prevents hospital admissions, helps people stay independent, and makes sure they can leave hospital when they’re ready, with the appropriate care and support in the community.’ (So Wales under a British Labour Party government in Cardiff doesn’t have all this in place already? Shocked?)
” … we’re calling on the Welsh Government to make long-term funding for social care a priority, so we can make sure the whole health and care system keeps working for our communities.”
Source https://www.wlga.wales/additional-investment-urgently-needed-for-social-care-to-help-mitigate-increasing-nhs-pressures-ahead-of-winter
What happened to solidarity, to comradeship? Why have those British Labour Party politicians who for years have been decrying the Scottish Government not shared their insights and their ready solutions with Party colleagues in power in Cardiff?
Or could it be the issue is more fundamental than the colour of the party in power – it’s the devolution settlement, it’s the Union that is at the root of the problem!
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British Labour Party politicians in Wales have long felt able to direct blame towards Westminster. Back in March 2024 the Welsh Local Government Association warned of the impact on communities in Wales due to lack of investment in the Tory government’s Spring Budget.
It stated: ‘The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has today called on the UK Government to reconsider its budget allocations to address the pressing needs of communities across Wales, expressing alarm over the lack of funding for public spending or investment. Echoing similar calls by the Welsh Government, the WLGA maintains that the Chancellor’s primary focus should be on prioritising investments in essential public services that are relied upon by all of us.’
Cllr Anthony Hunt (member of the British Labour Party), WLGA Finance Spokesperson is quoted: “We are deeply concerned about the implications of the Spring Budget for communities across Wales.
“… the reality is councils are on their knees thanks to his Government, with discretionary spending cut by up to 40% after adjusting for inflation. The local public services councils provide are experiencing unprecedented financial pressures and councils are considering all potential avenues to balance budgets. While they may manage in the short term, there is serious concern regarding the survival of vital local services. Local authorities are expected to deliver more with less funding, so the strain on councils cannot be overstated. (Now why on earth is this happening in Wales? Surely the British Labour Party government in Cardiff has protected local authorities from all this?)
“Lack of investment in local government will only produce poorer outcomes for communities and will impact on councils’ ability to fund schools and social care, build social housing and invest in the transition to net zero.
“Thanks to this Budget, Welsh communities will be experiencing rises in Council Tax but can expect to see less for their money. This could have a devastating effect on individuals, families, and communities throughout Wales as this adds to pressures already felt due to the cost-of-living crisis and high inflation rates. The services that are the basis of the fabric of society are straining.”
Source https://www.wlga.wales/wlga-warns-of-impact-on-communities-due-to-lack-of-investment-in-spring-budget-
British Labour Party politicians in Wales ‘expressing alarm over the lack of funding for public spending or investment. Echoing similar calls by the Welsh Government, …’: in Scotland such complaint directed towards Westminster is known as ‘buck passing’ or ‘grievance politics’ by British Labour Party politicians is it not?
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But we mustn’t do that. We mustn’t direct our grievances towards WM, so says the three union supporting parties in HR. The sole responsibility for cuts in Scotland lies squarely at the door of the SG is what we are supposed to believe.
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