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Lib Dems 'still in opposition' after Labour budget deal Lib Dems 'still in opposition' after Labour budget deal
(about 1 hour later)
The Welsh Liberal Democrats will remain an opposition party, despite their budget deal with the Welsh government, the party's finance spokesman has said.The Welsh Liberal Democrats will remain an opposition party, despite their budget deal with the Welsh government, the party's finance spokesman has said.
Peter Black was speaking during a Senedd debate on Labour's budget for next year.Peter Black was speaking during a Senedd debate on Labour's budget for next year.
The spending plans are expected to be voted through on Tuesday. AMs voted in favour of the spending plans on Tuesday.
It follows a deal between ministers and the Lib Dems which offers more money to help the education of the least well-off pupils.It follows a deal between ministers and the Lib Dems which offers more money to help the education of the least well-off pupils.
Mr Black told AMs that his was a "responsible party" and that failing to pass the £14.5bn budget would mean uncertainty for the public sector.Mr Black told AMs that his was a "responsible party" and that failing to pass the £14.5bn budget would mean uncertainty for the public sector.
The party recognised the economic context had forced difficult decisions, but supported the "general thrust" of the budget.The party recognised the economic context had forced difficult decisions, but supported the "general thrust" of the budget.
"We remain an opposition party with a duty to continue to hold the government to account," he said."We remain an opposition party with a duty to continue to hold the government to account," he said.
He denied claims from opponents that the Lib Dems had "sold out cheaply".He denied claims from opponents that the Lib Dems had "sold out cheaply".
'Good deal''Good deal'
The agreement on the budget was "not just a good deal for Welsh Liberal Democrats, but a good deal for poorer pupils around Wales, it's a good deal for education and it's a good deal for the public sector".The agreement on the budget was "not just a good deal for Welsh Liberal Democrats, but a good deal for poorer pupils around Wales, it's a good deal for education and it's a good deal for the public sector".
Finance Minister Jane Hutt said there was something in the budget that every member should support.Finance Minister Jane Hutt said there was something in the budget that every member should support.
Passing the budget on time would allow councils and local health boards to make their plans, and give the private sector "confidence and stability", she said.Passing the budget on time would allow councils and local health boards to make their plans, and give the private sector "confidence and stability", she said.
Despite calls for more health spending from the Conservatives, the government was confident the money it had allocated, together with efficiency savings, would deliver the NHS "we all aspire to".Despite calls for more health spending from the Conservatives, the government was confident the money it had allocated, together with efficiency savings, would deliver the NHS "we all aspire to".
The deal with the Lib Dems will help some 70,000 primary and secondary school pupils from poorer families, Ms Hutt said.The deal with the Lib Dems will help some 70,000 primary and secondary school pupils from poorer families, Ms Hutt said.
Schools will receive £450 for every child entitled to free school meals.Schools will receive £450 for every child entitled to free school meals.
It was being paid for thanks to "careful financial management", the minister added.It was being paid for thanks to "careful financial management", the minister added.
She said the government believed there was a "middle ground" that could reduce the UK's debts without stalling economic growth.She said the government believed there was a "middle ground" that could reduce the UK's debts without stalling economic growth.
The budget does not meet the needs of the people of Wales, Tory finance spokesman Paul Davies said.The budget does not meet the needs of the people of Wales, Tory finance spokesman Paul Davies said.
'Sold out''Sold out'
He added he was "extremely disappointed" that the Lib Dems had supported it, adding they had "sold out very cheaply".He added he was "extremely disappointed" that the Lib Dems had supported it, adding they had "sold out very cheaply".
The £32m pupil deprivation grant was short of the £40m the Lib Dems had indicated they would need for the policy in talks with the Conservatives.The £32m pupil deprivation grant was short of the £40m the Lib Dems had indicated they would need for the policy in talks with the Conservatives.
Mr Davies said the budget "will rip hundreds of millions of pounds out of our health service".Mr Davies said the budget "will rip hundreds of millions of pounds out of our health service".
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said there were "huge cuts" in prospect for every service delivered by the government.Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said there were "huge cuts" in prospect for every service delivered by the government.
Although there was a cash increase for health, "we have to accept in real terms that's a cut".Although there was a cash increase for health, "we have to accept in real terms that's a cut".
He told the Tories their desire to protect health spending from inflation would mean cuts for education "far in excess of what we are already facing".He told the Tories their desire to protect health spending from inflation would mean cuts for education "far in excess of what we are already facing".
He returned to Plaid's central charge that the government had not responded adequately to the economic crisis.He returned to Plaid's central charge that the government had not responded adequately to the economic crisis.