Martyn Jones

Labour Party | Clwyd South

MP welcomes Labour's massive boost for Wales

Chairman of the Welsh Affairs Committee in the House of Commons - MARTYN JONES MP - today welcomed Labour's Spending Review as a massive new boost for Wales and the people of Clwyd South.

Martyn Jones MP said:

"At the last election we promised to put schools and hospitals first through investment and reform. Building on the investment already being made by the National Assembly for Wales, this Spending Review 2004 delivers more resources for Wales to invest in our key priorities of education, health, transport and tackling crime.

"The Spending Review announces that spending in Wales will increase by £2.5 billion by 2007-08.

"In addition the spending review includes important UK investment in opportunity, security in the world and in tackling world poverty:

• increases in defence spending of £3.7 billion.  Defence resources will grow by 1.4 per year in real terms to 2007-08.
• Increased resources for international aid, to build on progress in reducing the number of people living in poverty worldwide.

"This long-term investment is only possible because we have delivered economic stability. We have the lowest inflation and interest rates for forty years, and employment has increased by 104,000 since 1997.

"Today's Spending Review demonstrates our commitment to provide the opportunity for everyone to fulfil their potential through education and employment, it promotes a fair and inclusive society in which communities are healthy and secure and facilitates sustained economic growth.

"Plaid Cymru could never match our investment and reform and the Conservative Party have made clear that they oppose this investment and would implement deep spending cuts.

"The new resources announced today will enable Wales to continue to make a success of the Objective 1 programme and, in partnership with the UK Government, deliver improved and stronger public services and prosperity for all the people of Wales."