A National Assembly for Wales report has found there is little room for error in the Welsh Government’s draft budget for the next financial year.
The Finance Committee, which is made up of AMs from the four political parties in the Senedd, accepted there are challenging times ahead for delivering public services with reduced budgets but warned that with budgets set so tight, the pressure is on the Welsh Government, and the bodies it funds, to get the best possible value out of every pound spent.
The Committee also welcomed the Welsh Government’s progress towards a more strategic approach on its allocation of capital resources – where funding is awarded in accordance with overall priorities rather than on a departmental basis – but considered that there remained room for improvement.
“The Committee accepts the tough financial climate this draft budget has been put together in,” said Chair of the Finance Committee, Jocelyn Davies AM.
“We have concerns about how little room there is for manoeuvre or contingency for any overspends.
“And we have expressed concerns about the adequacy of funding for the Welsh NHS. But the Committee has also decided not to suggest any amendments to the resources already detailed by the Welsh Government.
“We welcome the Welsh Government’s stated commitment to delivery, and to developing an outcome focussed budget. However, we are concerned that this commitment to clear, transparent, measurable outcomes has yet to be delivered by Welsh Government departments.”
The Finance Committee has made ten recommendations in its report which will now be considered by the Welsh Government.