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David Cameron: Cuts 'not end of the world' for Wales | David Cameron: Cuts 'not end of the world' for Wales |
(about 1 hour later) | |
David Cameron has said proposed UK budget cuts do not mean "the world will come to an end" for Wales. | David Cameron has said proposed UK budget cuts do not mean "the world will come to an end" for Wales. |
Welsh ministers, including First Minister Carwyn Jones, have said proposed cuts of between 25 and 40% for some UK departments are bad news for Wales and close to impossible. | Welsh ministers, including First Minister Carwyn Jones, have said proposed cuts of between 25 and 40% for some UK departments are bad news for Wales and close to impossible. |
The prime minister rebuffed the claims while at the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday. | The prime minister rebuffed the claims while at the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday. |
He also urged the Welsh government to put more money into the NHS in Wales. | He also urged the Welsh government to put more money into the NHS in Wales. |
This week, the first minister criticised plans by Chancellor George Osborne to ask unprotected departments to draw up radically reduced budgets. | This week, the first minister criticised plans by Chancellor George Osborne to ask unprotected departments to draw up radically reduced budgets. |
"That's what Carwyn and Labour said in the last Parliament," Mr Cameron replied. | "That's what Carwyn and Labour said in the last Parliament," Mr Cameron replied. |
"That the reductions and efficiencies we announced meant that the world was going to come to an end. That obviously did not happen. | "That the reductions and efficiencies we announced meant that the world was going to come to an end. That obviously did not happen. |
Record high | |
"We actually put more money into the NHS, for instance. Although, obviously, in Wales the Labour government decided to cut the NHS." | "We actually put more money into the NHS, for instance. Although, obviously, in Wales the Labour government decided to cut the NHS." |
Mr Cameron said it now "passes" to the Welsh government to shadow his pledge to put £8bn more funding into health services. | |
But Welsh government officials said the prime minister's claims were "simply untrue". | |
"Despite the record-breaking £1.3bn cut made by the UK Government to the Welsh budget since 2010, we are continuing to invest in health and social care in Wales. | |
"The total amount spent on health and social care in Wales this year is £6.7bn, which is a record high," a spokesperson said. | |
"As the UK Government continues to cut unprotected departmental budgets, any increase from health decisions could be wiped out by cuts elsewhere. | |
"It is becoming more difficult to manage these cuts and we face some tough decisions." | |
Farming boost | Farming boost |
On income tax powers for Wales, Mr Cameron said the UK government position remained the same - a referendum would be required before they could be devolved. | |
He said it also remained committed to the electrification of the Great Western mainline all the way to Swansea. | |
The prime minister also used the visit to the Royal Welsh show to announce a £7bn food and farming boost plan and to issue a direct appeal to car makers Aston Martin to consider building their new luxury SUVs in Wales. | The prime minister also used the visit to the Royal Welsh show to announce a £7bn food and farming boost plan and to issue a direct appeal to car makers Aston Martin to consider building their new luxury SUVs in Wales. |
Earlier, he released details of a £390m contract which will see Caerphilly county-based General Dynamics take over a former fork-lift site in Merthyr Tydfil. | Earlier, he released details of a £390m contract which will see Caerphilly county-based General Dynamics take over a former fork-lift site in Merthyr Tydfil. |
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