Budget to set out spending plans

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The Welsh Assembly Government is to publish its draft budget indicating how it will spend over £14.5bn next year.

The money will go on schools, hospitals and other public services.

But First Minister Rhodri Morgan has consistently warned that his minority government could fall without an agreement on the budget's contents.

Mr Morgan and the leaders of the opposition parties have been meeting in private in the past week to try to hammer out a deal.

Last year the opposition parties rejected the budget, winning key concessions on extra support for pensioners to pay council tax, a fund for small schools and extra money to improve rail services.

We need to act as an united opposition... otherwise the government wouldn't listen Independent AM John Marek

Opposition parties are reluctant to divulge details of their demands this time round, however.

"The discussions we've been having with the government are confidential on both sides" said Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the assembly said: "It would be inopportune and wrong of me to say anything specific at this stage".

Education eats up a large slice of the assembly budget

Speculation has focused on several areas, however, with the Welsh Ambulance Service having been a recent political hot potato.

Observers have noted that two days after the first meeting between Mr Morgan and opposition leaders, the assembly government announced £16m for new vehicles.

In the UK Government's budget this year, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced more money for education in England, with extra funding going directly to head teachers. It is understood that some opposition AMs are keen to see Wales follow suit.

The agricultural subsidy, Tir Mynydd, has also been in the spotlight.

More than 11,000 Welsh farmers receive the subsidy for farming high or difficult ground.

Countryside Minister Carwyn Jones, who has claimed that it does not give taxpayers value for money, has decided to phase it out over two years in a decision criticised by farming unions.

It is believed that winning concessions on Tir Mynydd is high on the opposition wish list.

We're all spinning those plates... we've got to keep that going until we've got that desired programme that we all sign up to Mike German AM, Liberal Democrat

Leaders of the smaller political parties in the assembly may also be able to wield some influence. Independents Trish Law and John Marek do not have to follow a party whip, and have frequently stated that looking after the needs of their constituents will be their top priority.

It has become apparent that both are working closely together to try to put pressure on the assembly government.

"Of course we (independents) are important," said Wrexham AM Dr Marek.

"We need to act as an united opposition... otherwise the government wouldn't listen."

Dr Marek has already revealed that that he will look for a guarantee from the assembly government that funding would be available to pay any legal costs resulting from a campaign opposing the dumping of waste at the Hafod tip near his constituency.

The assembly government has, so far declined to make any public comment, except to say that the finance minister's door was open to any political party.

"We're all spinning those plates," said Mike German, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the assembly.

"We've got to keep that going until we've got that desired programme that we all sign up to... a budget that represents a consensus across this National Assembly".