Plaid Cymru’s leader and finance spokesperson, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, has given his reaction to the First Minister’s meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Ieuan Wyn Jones AM said:
“Obviously we will be pressing the First Minister for a full breakdown of his discussions so that they can be fully examined and scrutinised by the Assembly. The statement that has been released is once again short on any real detail. We need the First Minister to confirm that he is calling for the devolution of fiscal powers as well as reform of Barnett. We must accept some responsibility for the money we spend, and the devolution of taxes would do that. If he doesn’t do that, he’ll be letting Wales down.
“At the Assembly on Tuesday the Welsh government committed itself to a motion, which was supported by all political parties, to start substantive discussions in line with part 2 of the Holtham Commission. This involves a wide variety of taxation powers and all the macroeconomic responsibilities the Holtham report proposes.
“The onus is on Carwyn Jones to negotiate and deliver a better financial deal for Wales. In the economic times we are in, where only this week the Tories and Lib Dems have announced plans that will cut benefits to 30,000 people without any employment to fall back on, we cannot afford to take a backseat approach. The lack of ambition of the Labour government is the greatest threat to Wales’ economic regeneration.”
