First Minister Carwyn Jones has written to Prime Minister David Cameron seeking guarantees that Wales will continue to receive the same level of funding once Britain leaves the European Union.
Following a meeting of the Welsh Cabinet today, Monday June 27, Mr Jones said: “One of the most immediate concerns facing us as a government is the future of around half a billion pounds a year which Wales currently receives from the EU to support our farming industry and to bring greater prosperity to some of our most deprived communities.
“During the referendum campaign, the Leave side made cast iron promises that this money would continue to come to Wales in the event of a vote to leave the EU. I have today written to the Prime Minister asking him to confirm that every penny of this funding is safe.
“We require this funding assurance immediately, as there are hundreds of vital EU-funded projects right across Wales whose future is now in the balance unless that funding guarantee is given.
“Let me be absolutely clear. These projects are designed to improve people’s lives, their environment and the infrastructure they rely on every day, and we are proud of what they have already delivered. But if that pledge is not honoured by the UK Government, it will have a devastating effect on our budgets, already stretched through years of austerity, and facing billions more in cuts as a result.”
Mr Jones went on to state that there are deep concerns about the effect on business and investment in Wales following the result of the EU referendum, but that the Welsh Government has been in “close contact” with investors over the weekend to reassure them.
A raft of measures aimed at boosting confidence is to be announced over the next week.
In his statement, Mr Jones also highlighted a reported increase in racist incidents.
He said: “Cabinet members cited examples of hateful incidents directed against non-British people in their constituencies over the weekend, and equally distressingly, against people from ethnic minorities born here in Wales. Ministers resolved to issue a clear statement today that such racism is completely unacceptable in Welsh society.
“Absolutely nothing has changed in the status of foreign nationals living and working in Wales. They remain welcome as they always have been – before devolution, before the EU. Wales has always been a welcoming country and we must not lose sight of that.
“It is incumbent on all of us, no matter how we voted last week, to stand up to anybody who thinks they now have licence to abuse people of different races or nationalities. They have no such licence and should anyone suffer from this sort of abuse, they should report it to the police immediately
“I am today writing to the four Welsh Police and Crime Commissioners, asking for them to be alive to this changing situation, and to provide appropriate support to any affected communities.”
This fight for continued financial contribution from the UK government is a fight for all Welsh Politicians, including the ones who have resigned from Corbyns Shadow Cabinet, lets hope they have lost no credability and substance with the Government and thier contribution to the Welsh Assembly `Jones` team will add gravitas to it. They certainly have all the time in the world now to concentrate efforts in helping Carwyns cause.
Because of the failure of Welsh Labour to grow the economy they have to go cap in hand to Brussels and now Westminster for constant funding, and what do they spend this funding on – failed pet projects like Rhonda Lifa and Canolfan Cywain, and safeguarding their own cushy jobs at the assembly.
The Financail shoestrings of Wales are controlled by Westminster. Fact of life,
Labour nor anyone else in power in Wales are going `cap in hand` to anyone, it just happens that London holds OUR money, and signs the cheques, the real problem is who blinks first in the negotiations for `additional` funds Wales deserves.