21 Dec 2021
On 20 December, the Welsh government outlined a Budget to 'build a stronger, fairer and greener Wales'.
Presenting the Budget, Welsh government Finance Minister Rebecca Evans stated that it will help to 'support the Wales of today and shape the Wales of tomorrow'.
The Welsh government unveiled a £116 million package of funding to aid with the economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This will be combined with existing permanent relief schemes that see over 85,000 properties continue to receive support. The scheme will be capped at £110,000 per business.
Many firms had been receiving 100% off their rates, which help to pay for services provided by local government, but previous COVID-19 business rate schemes have come to an end.
A further £35 million has been set aside to freeze the non-domestic rates multiplier for 2022/23, so there will be no increase in the amount of rates businesses are paying.
Meanwhile, an additional £1.3 billion in funding will be supplied to the NHS in Wales to help provide effective, high quality and sustainable healthcare following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Budget also tackles inequality and invests in future generations through an additional £320 million to continue a long-term programme of learning and education reform.
Commenting on the announcements made in the Budget, Ms Evans said: 'The UK government's Spending Review did not deliver for Wales and this Budget is delivered in that context. While there are tough choices ahead, we have been able to provide funding that will allow Wales to rise to the challenges we face, grounded in the distinctively Welsh values of environmental, social and economic justice.'