This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-19801444

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Economy 'top priority' for £15bn Welsh government budget Economy 'top priority' for £15bn Welsh government budget
(about 1 hour later)
The Welsh government said it would use its £15bn budget to help the economy when it published spending plans for next year. The Welsh government said it would use its £15bn budget to help the economy when it revealed its spending plans for next year.
Finance Minister Jane Hutt set out what she said was a draft budget to stimulate growth and which protected funding for health.Finance Minister Jane Hutt set out what she said was a draft budget to stimulate growth and which protected funding for health.
She announced details of £175m of capital for infrastructure projects. She also promised to uphold universal benefits, such as free prescriptions.
But the Welsh Conservatives said it left the NHS in Wales with the worst settlement in the UK. The Conservatives said it "snubbed" the NHS and Liberal Democrats called for more funding for the poorest pupils.
'Prosperity'
Ms Hutt said: "Our number one priority is to deliver a budget for growth and jobs which will create a more prosperous Wales, by encouraging economic growth and creating and sustaining jobs."Ms Hutt said: "Our number one priority is to deliver a budget for growth and jobs which will create a more prosperous Wales, by encouraging economic growth and creating and sustaining jobs."
Health, social services and children remains the biggest department with a budget of more than £6.4bn.Health, social services and children remains the biggest department with a budget of more than £6.4bn.
But its biggest item of expenditure - revenue funding for NHS delivery - is being cut by £12.1m next year.But its biggest item of expenditure - revenue funding for NHS delivery - is being cut by £12.1m next year.
Ms Hutt told AMs in the Senedd that 43% of the Welsh government's budget was being spent on health and social care. Officials say some £11m of that is money which is being repaid to a central fund that helps public services invest in more efficient practices. The rest has been moved within the department's budget.
The capital funding she announced includes £65m for transport and £30m for hospitals. The capital funding announced includes £40m for the next stage of dualling the A465 Heads of the Valleys road between Brynmawr and Tredegar.
She attacked the UK government for cutting funding to Wales. The Welsh government's budget will be £2.1bn lower in real terms by 2014/15 than it was at its peak in 2009/10. Morriston Hospital in Swansea will get £18m for redevelopment.
Ms Hutt attacked the UK government for cutting funding to Wales. The Welsh government's budget will be £2.1bn lower in real terms by 2014/15 than it was at its peak in 2009/10.
The Welsh government does not have the power to borrow money or raise taxes, so must rely on an annual grant from the Treasury.The Welsh government does not have the power to borrow money or raise taxes, so must rely on an annual grant from the Treasury.
"We stand by the decisions we have taken that underpin our budget - our investments in schools and skills, in health and in social services to ensure we can deliver our programme for government," she said. The budget was delivered "against the context of the most challenging economic and financial situation that we have found ourselves in since devolution", Ms Hutt said.
But Welsh Conservative finance spokesman Paul Davies said: "The NHS in Wales still faces the toughest settlement in the United Kingdom." 'Groundhog Day'
Ms Hutt added that Welsh Labour was standing by a commitment to universal benefits, such as free prescriptions. Welsh Conservative finance spokesman Paul Davies said: "It's Groundhog Day for our National Health Service. Snubbed again and still facing the toughest funding settlement in the UK.
"Hospital downgrades and closures threaten communities the length and breadth of Wales as a result of Labour's record-breaking cuts."
Ms Hutt added that Welsh Labour was "steadfast" in a commitment to universal benefits, such as free prescriptions and free breakfasts at primary schools.
Critics have attacked them because they benefit rich and poor recipients alike.
With 30 of the assembly's 60 seats, Labour will need help from opposition benches to get its budget through the assembly.With 30 of the assembly's 60 seats, Labour will need help from opposition benches to get its budget through the assembly.
Last year's budget was passed after a deal with the Lib Dems over extra funding for the least well-off pupils.
The latest spending plans maintains the funding which provides schools with an additional £450 for every child who receives free school dinners.
But Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said her party could not support it in its current form.
"In short, the budget should go further to ensure that children's achievement at school should reflect their ability not their background," she said.