Plaid makes big budget wins for culture and infrastructure

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, Dr Dai Lloyd, has welcomed the concessions won by his party from the Welsh Government ahead of the budget.

As Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Infrastructure, Dr Lloyd was particularly pleased to see his party guaranteeing additional funding in these areas.

Following negotiations, Plaid Cymru has secured an additional £40m for our universities and colleges, extra money for the National Library, the National Museum and the Welsh Books Council, and £2m to help promote music in our schools.

The deal also ensures investment in important capital projects across Wales to connect our country including upgrades to the A470 and A487, investment in the development of a third Menai crossing, upgrading the Traws Cymru Service from bus to coach, the removal of the Cleddau Bridge tolls and new commitments by the Welsh Government to explore extending the South Wales Metro to the Rhondda Fach and creating a new Metro for Swansea Bay and the Western Valleys.

As a representative for South Wales West, Dr Lloyd was also keen to stress the importance of the major £30 million investment in a power station for our steel industry as campaigned for by Bethan Jenkins AM.

"This budget deal goes to show how Plaid Cymru is delivering in opposition. We never rest in holding the government to account and we have already, 17 months after the election, been able to guarantee some level of funding for 50% of our manifesto commitments.

"The success Plaid Cymru is demonstrating in opposition proves that we would be extremely effective in government.

"While I'm disappointed with the path Labour is going down on many issues, I am delighted with the concessions Plaid Cymru has won."