February 20, 2025 - 836 views
Social care, childcare, and local councils in Wales will receive over £100 million in additional funding through a special budget agreement from Welsh Government.
The agreement includes £30 million for childcare and an additional £30 million for social care. This will target delayed hospital discharges and provide more support in local communities.
Local authorities will also benefit from a guaranteed 3.8% funding floor, with increased support for nine specific areas. This includes Conwy, Gwynedd, and Ynys Mon in North Wales.
The details of the agreement, between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, can be revealed today as the Welsh Government publishes its Final Budget 2025-2026 in the Senedd.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford said: "This agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd work together constructively on areas where we have common ground. The additional investment will make a real difference to communities across Wales, particularly in rural areas.
"Taken together with the extra £1.5 billion announced in our Draft Budget, this is a positive package of additional funding for every part of Wales, which will have a significant impact on our public services."
Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "This agreement is a positive step in making Wales the fairer and more prosperous country I want it to be.
"I’m delighted we have secured funds needed to deliver my party’s key priorities of improving social care, increasing quality childcare, tackling water pollution, improving roads and public transport and protecting vital council run services.
"I’m really pleased the Welsh Government is taking this step to offer universal free childcare to families with children aged two to four across Wales. This is important to tackle child poverty and to help parents get in to work to help with the cost-of-living crisis."
