Writing to Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister, has highlighted that there has not been any progress on HS2 funding for Wales since the UK Spending Review, June 2025.
Mrs Finch-Saunders wrote to the First Minister asking:
“What progress has the Welsh Government made this summer on receiving a Barnett consequential for the UK Government's spend on HS2 in England?”
The First Minister has replied:
“It remains our position that the Welsh Government did not receive a fair share of the money spent on HS2 and we continue to work with the UK Government to deliver a package of measures to address this, now and in the future.
“After years of calling for fair rail funding for Wales, we welcome the step forward in funding resulting from the UK Spending Review. The £445m extra rail funding announced by the UK Government is the start of the process to address the historical underfunding of rail in Wales that has been recognised by the UK Government…”
Commenting on the response from the Frist Minister, Janet said:
“Welsh Labour ardently campaigned for a full consequential of £4 billion to be given to Wales whilst in opposition. However, over a year in to Government all they have secured is £445 for the next ten years.
“That £445m works out at just over £40million a year which is peanuts in terms of rail spending and around a third of the £1.4billion spent by the last UK Conservative Government.
“With the First Minister’s continued failure over the Summer to get any commitment for Wales’ fair share of funding, it is apparent that the two Labour Governments are not working together to benefit Wales. This failure and injustice has to end”.
ENDS
Photo:
Janet Finch-Saunders MS
Written Question by Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS:
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What progress has the Welsh Government made this summer on receiving a Barnett consequential for the UK Government's spend on HS2 in England? (WQ97154)
Response by Eluned Morgan MS/AS:
Eluned Morgan: It remains our position that the Welsh Government did not receive a fair share of the money spent on HS2 and we continue to work with the UK Government to deliver a package of measures to address this, now and in the future.
After years of calling for fair rail funding for Wales, we welcome the step forward in funding resulting from the UK Spending Review. The £445m extra rail funding announced by the UK Government is the start of the process to address the historical underfunding of rail in Wales that has been recognised by the UK Government. The UK Government has now endorsed a pipeline of rail enhancement priorities identified by the Wales Rail Board. The agreed priorities for rail enhancement are the delivery of the recommendations of the North Wales and South East Wales Transport Commissions. These include new stations and capacity improvements to support more new services. Building on our own rail investment, this will improve access to jobs and education. This represents a huge step forward and shows what can be achieved when we work together.
Over the Spending Review period, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £5bn in resource and capital funding. This funding builds on £1.6bn provided at the Autumn Budget, meaning we can better respond to Welsh priorities and deliver improvements across public services
