Welsh government and Labour strike deal on mini-budget

The Welsh government has reached a deal with Labour on its mini-budget, which had failed to pass in the summer.

Ministers said the Plaid Cymru-led administration had now agreed an extra £60m for children with additional learning needs (ALN).

Labour, who sit in opposition after losing May's Senedd election, had rejected a £40m a year deal across three years, in acrimonious scenes at the Welsh Parliament in the last week of term in July.

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates had demanded £100m this year when the supplementary budget was last discussed.

Reform said the deal was good for Plaid and Labour but not Wales.

The budget will be debated in the Senedd on 3 November.

On Tuesday, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "This agreement reflects what can be achieved when parties across the Senedd work together."

Skates said Labour had "managed to secure a significant cash injection for schools".

"While we still believe the Welsh government should be setting aside more for ALN in schools, it is a welcome first step in dealing with the need to better fund schools."

Plaid Cymru's original mini-budget included £100m for the NHS to bring down waiting times, £55m for childcare and £40m for school repairs.

If the supplementary budget is not passed then the government would have to find other ways to fund its new plans.

Helen Jenner, leader of Reform Wales, said: "This deal may be good for the failed establishment of Plaid and Labour, but it does not deliver for Wales.

"While we welcome extra support for additional learning needs provision, the Welsh government is still sending millions of pounds of taxpayers' money overseas while our public services suffer here at home."