First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed disappointment in not receiving all the additional funding requested from the UK government’s spending review. She had pushed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to allocate more resources to Wales prior to their meeting on Friday, but tempered expectations afterward by emphasizing the multiple demands on the prime minister. Criticisms from Morgan against the PM in recent weeks have prompted responses from Conservatives and Plaid Cymru, accusing her of stirring controversy in reaction to unfavorable polls.
Conservative representative Darren Millar insinuated a close alignment between Morgan and Sir Keir, while Plaid Cymru remarked that all the Welsh Labour leader had obtained from the meeting was a photo. During the meeting, Morgan advocated for winter fuel payments for all pensioners except the wealthiest, expressing concerns about Sir Keir’s migration policy potentially negatively impacting Wales. Her recent calls for reevaluating disability benefit cuts, increasing rail funding, maximizing Wales’s benefits from wind generation on the Crown Estate, and restructuring the Welsh government’s funding mechanism were also highlighted.
Following an ITV Wales interview where Morgan articulated her spending demands to Sir Keir, there was a noticeable shift in her demeanor post-meeting in London, describing it as “really positive.” Transport Secretary Ken Skates had previously expressed confidence in Wales benefiting substantially from the spending review. Morgan emphasized the need for patience and managing expectations regarding the outcomes of the review, reflecting on the importance of securing funding to address public concerns and fulfill promises such as reducing waiting lists, improving the rail system, and constructing social homes. The Chancellor is slated to unveil funding strategies for government departments on June 11th
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