Speaking at the Conservative Policy Forum in Llandudno today (October 30th), the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, Nick Bourne AM, will call for an Independent Budget Review to take place in Wales.
A similar review in Scotland earlier this year concluded with the publication of a number of independent projections regarding the Scottish economy.
A full range of options were debated openly and were subject to cross-party discussion in the Scottish Parliament.
Previous Welsh Conservative calls for an Independent Budget Review have been refused by the Labour-Plaid government.
Mr Bourne said: “Welsh Conservatives have always put the interests of Wales first and we always will.
“That is why we want an Independent Budget Review to take place in Wales, as it has in Scotland.
“Labour’s kneejerk reaction has always been to say no, yet the First Minister recently called for opposition parties to work together constructively on the Welsh budget.
“That is exactly what this kind of review would give us the chance to do. As in Scotland, we have the opportunity to gain independent projections and recommendations that can be properly debated.
“Important discussions on the state of our public finances are currently being carried out behind closed doors, with no possibility of input from experts, stakeholders, opposition parties or the general public.
“Scrutiny and debate are essential to an open and transparent Assembly Government. This simply isn’t happening at the moment and the culture of secrecy has got to stop.
“My message to Carwyn Jones is if you want to reconsider your decision in the interests of Wales, pick up the phone.”
