Labour still has no idea how much it will cost to implement its flagship election commitments on GP opening hours and annual health checks for over 50s – while doubt also surrounds its announcement on enterprise zones.
The health policies – both announced over six months ago – have not been allocated money in the Draft Budget.
When questioned by the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly yesterday afternoon, the First Minister claimed ‘re-jigging GP hours’ will cost nothing.
In a response to a written question however, his Health Minister claims ‘detailed costs, resource implications and timescales for delivery’ are still being ‘developed’ for the extension of GP opening hours.
The Business Minister has also said discussions are ‘currently going on’ regarding funding for enterprise zones.
Speaking in the Senedd Chamber, Andrew RT Davies AM has labelled all three ‘fag packet policies’.
Mr Davies said: “Access to GP surgeries is a crucial issue for all of us and Labour were quick to capitalise on that ahead of the Assembly election.
“Six months on and it’s clear both this policy – and the annual health check commitment – were written on the back of a fag packet.
“Both are a complete shambles. The First Minister says extended opening hours will cost nothing. The Health Minister says detailed costs are being developed. No-one’s got a clue – and voters would be forgiven for classing both policies as cheap parlour tricks with absolutely no substance.
“Last week a report by the Auditor General made it clear our NHS is facing the toughest settlement in the UK. Labour is savagely cutting the budget and as a result, simply cannot afford these policies.
“The situation surrounding enterprise zones is a similar disaster. Costs are still completely up in the air, which means we’re faced with another policy lacking sufficient substance.
“While England’s zones are up and running, their Welsh equivalents are bogged down in admin and red tape, all because they haven’t been costed.”
