Wales to benefit from major UK Government investment
A UK Government investment aims to accelerate growth in research, development, and emerging technologies across the country.
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: "Wales is home to a growing tech sector and this significant investment from the UK Government will help it develop and expand even further.
"As we deliver our Plan for Change we are investing in innovation and research, creating more opportunities in the industries of the future and driving economic growth across Wales and the UK."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce the investment as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
The funding will support the government's strategy to strengthen the economy, improve public services, and deliver long-term prosperity.
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The Guardian
9 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Wednesday briefing: What to expect from the Treasury's spending review announcements
Morning. It's spending review day. After weeks of tense negotiations between ministers and the Treasury, Rachel Reeves is set to unveil exactly how the government will allocate the spending it announced in last year's budget. If you're wondering what this actually means, my colleague Archie Bland helpfully explained when the process began six months ago. In short: departments outline how they want to spend money over the next few years, then negotiate with the Treasury over how much they will actually get. We already have a good idea of what will be in this spending review. The government has given the go-ahead to the Sizewell C nuclear plant; announced £15bn in transport spending across the north of England; expanded free school meals for all children whose parents receive universal credit; and unveiled a £4.7bn plan to build three new prisons. We also know which ministers settled quickly and which were deeply unhappy. Angela Rayner, deputy prime minister and housing secretary, won out after a fraught and drawn-out process to secure more funding for social housing, while the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, warned that the government would not meet its manifesto promises on crime. The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, was able to keep cash for a major programme of insulation, but it is unclear whether other schemes will be scaled back as a result. After a troubled start in government, will this spending review give Labour the reset so desperately needed? I spoke to Jessica Elgot, the Guardian's deputy political editor. But first, the headlines. Israel-Gaza | The UK placed sanctions on two extreme-right Israeli ministers over their 'monstrous' comments on Gaza. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will face travel bans and freezing of assets. Austria | Ten people died and 12 were injured in a school shooting in Graz, Austria. The interior minister, Gerhard Karner, confirmed the 21-year-old suspect, who killed himself, was a former student at the school. US | The city of Los Angeles is instituting a curfew in downtown on Tuesday night as tensions between the Trump administration and California escalate over immigration raids, as governor Gavin Newsom warns democracy 'under assault'. UK politics | The Lib Dems have described the new Reform UK chair, David Bull, as a 'Trump sycophant'. Nigel Farage, however, says Bull's qualified doctor status will help counter Labour's 'lie machine' about the NHS. Transport | Driverless taxis are set to appear on London streets next spring, as confirmed by Uber and Wayve. The Department for Transport said the technology would make roads safer and could create 38,000 jobs. The UK has not had a full three-year spending review since 2015 because of the political turmoils of Brexit and the pandemic. There is a hugely important number that the Treasury wants front and centre this time: £113bn of capital spending. This is money for infrastructure, building schools and hospitals, that was unlocked by the change in fiscal rules before the October budget, which allowed more borrowing for long-term investment. 'For most ordinary voters, all they see the government committing to is political pain: whether that's winter fuel allowance or welfare cuts, the tough line that was taken at the budget and the spring statement,' Jessica explains. 'On lots of different issues, people have heard that there's a return to fiscal discipline, which is a phrase they associate with austerity. And every bit of polling tells you that people have just had enough of that.' This spending review, therefore, is 'some kind of recognition that while they can still be seen to be fiscally responsible to avoid a Liz Truss-style crisis, they do have to present a more positive vision. They have to try and get some political benefit.' The way they will attempt to do this, she says, is by pointing out investing in infrastructure generates economic growth and a return on that money spent, unlike day-to-day departmental spending. So expect to hear a lot of ministers talk about 'choosing investments over decline'. Jessica goes further: 'The Treasury has felt particularly aggrieved that they haven't got credit for making this change in the fiscal rules and framing up this cash. You still get people saying they need to raise taxes and the grumpy retorts to that is 'we raised £40bn worth of tax for the last budget and we changed the fiscal rules to pay for £100bn pounds of capital spending'. So this is them belatedly trying to claim credit for that in order to cover up what we expect to be a very tight spending review for departments on day-to-day spending.' Starting from scratch The process for the spending review is brutal. Departments must justify their entire budgets from scratch, known as a zero‑based review approach, then negotiate with the Treasury. Jessica adds that there is the idea during this process that departments deploy what is known as a 'bleeding stump' strategy – where, for example, they tell the Treasury that they will have to stop providing an essential service, such as cancer treatments or free school meals, if there is no change to the budget. In 2011, then Conservative minister Eric Pickles had accused Labour councils of doing this in the midst of austerity. Some ministers settled early with the Treasury, including the justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, so she could announce her prison building programme. Wes Streeting's department is also set to be one of the big winners of the spending review: it will lay the groundwork for the NHS's 10-year plan. So is Angela Raynor, with the chancellor announcing nearly £40bn worth of grants to be spent over 10 years for local authorities, private developers and housing associations. Other holdouts, including the Department of Education, and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, settled recently with some decent wins. 'Some of the big beneficiaries are the defence industry. You will see capital spent on some schools and hospitals, actually slower than the ones the Tories promised, but Labour will say that that's because the Tories didn't have any money to fund things they committed to,' Jessica says. But, most importantly, 'all of these things take time to filter through'. Will voters feel better off? The multibillion-pound investment at Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast has been billed by the government as the biggest nuclear programme in a generation, and one that will 'get Britain off the fossil fuel rollercoaster'. Labour has also committed to big infrastructure projects in the north of England that should benefit populations there, but it will be a long while before those benefits are felt, Jessica says. 'That's a problem in terms of political cycles about who gets credit for what. None of this stuff is going to be built before the next election. I think that Sizewell C isn't going to be built until the end of the 2030s.' The government would argue it is building infrastructure that demonstrates the UK is a good solid place to invest. People should therefore start feeling the benefits of a growing economy. 'Your daily life should start getting less expensive, your wages should be rising, interest rates should be coming down, inflation should be coming down. That's the theory,' Jessica says. 'But you can see through the rise of Reform in the polls that people are frustrated they're not feeling that effect quickly enough.' 'Big, visible benefits' The partial U-turn on winter fuel allowance for pensioners and sluggish growth means Rachel Reeves has very little fiscal headroom for her day-to-day spending, Jessica explains. But though departments have had very tight settlements, the published accounts are not as bad as previously feared. Are there any other surprises on welfare coming, particularly on disability benefits and child poverty? 'I wouldn't expect any announcements on that front,' Jessica says. 'A lot of decisions have been deferred. On disability benefits, we're expecting very difficult welfare cuts to come at the end of June.' Labour MPs are being told that the major investments they are seeing in their constituencies are only possible because of these tough decisions, Jessica adds, with the Treasury framing it as 'making hard choices so we can afford big, visible projects that benefit everyone'. It is unclear if it will work. 'Maybe they'll be won over by that, but at the moment, not many of them are. That will be a very difficult moment.' On child poverty, the imminent taskforce report is likely to strongly recommend lifting the two-child benefit cap. There are suggestions that the prime minister is open to it. But again, it belongs in a different category of policy decisions, separate from the spending review. 'There's lots of suggestions out there that the PM himself is minded to act on that. But again, that's not a decision for tomorrow.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Nadeine Asbali responds to the calls from Tory and Reform MPs to ban the burqa. She argues that the real issue isn't what Muslim women wear, but how deeper societal issues are being ignored. Sundus Abdi, newsletters team Gaby Hinsliff's sharp critique of Sarah Vine's memoir about life as a Westminster Wag may end up outshining the book itself. Aamna Going away but worried your plants won't survive the week without you? This week's houseplant clinic covers hacks like using self-watering devices to avoid returning to a plant graveyard. Sundus Okinawa, Japan's subtropical island, witnessed the Pacific War's bloodiest battle. This stunning piece of visual journalism follows one man's relentless quest to recover the fragments of a forgotten history. Aamna Bad Bunny, PinkPantheress and Bon Iver's recent releases have all made the Guardian's list of best albums of 2025 so far. Critics have also named Erika de Casier, Japanese Breakfast and many more. Sundus Football | Nottingham Forest has written to Uefa on Crystal Palace's participation in the Europa League next season, alleging that Palace is in breach of multi-club ownership rules. Cricket | Ben Duckett hit 84 off 46 balls in England's 120-run opening stand as the hosts beat West Indies to wrap up their T20 series 3-0. Football | Arsenal Women's FC will play all of their Super League matches at the Emirates Stadium next season to 'allow more people than ever to experience a matchday'. 'UK imposes sanctions on Israeli ministers for 'inciting violence'' says the Guardian, and that's on the front of the Times too, though the splash is 'NHS 'won't hit targets' even with extra £30bn'. Top story in the Mirror is 'Social housing boost – £39bn new build' and we get more of an idea from the Financial Times: 'Reeves puts £39bn affordable homes drive at heart of bid to 'renew Britain''. 'Come on Rachel, now for family farm tax U-turn!' pleads the Express while the Mail says 'Reeves rocked by jobs slump'. The Telegraph's top story is 'Rayner drops law on rough sleepers'. The grim news from Austria – 'Revenge massacre at school' – covers the front page of the Metro. 250 days on hunger strike: Can Laila Soueif secure her son's freedom? Who is Alaa Abd el-Fattah and why are British diplomats trying to obtain his release? Patrick Wintour reports A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad Just over two hours from Glasgow, a six-day hike on the Isle of Arran doubles as a journey through 500 million years of Earth's history. Newly recognised as a Unesco Geopark, the island holds traces of rocks formed by ancient magma and cliffs shaped by tectonic plate shifts. If you're lucky, you might find yourself placing your hand in a 240-million-year-old footprint left by a reptile older than dinosaurs, like Stuart Kenny did. Kenny hikes the 65-mile Arran Coastal Way, and in his words: 'I abandon the geological hunt altogether and stop to watch otters fishing.' Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
Wales Online
19 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Cheap bus fares to cheap housing - what is in Rachel Reeves spending review
Cheap bus fares to cheap housing - what is in Rachel Reeves spending review Chancellor Rachel Reeves is announcing billions of pounds for schools, the NHS, defence and nuclear power - as well as public transport changes Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves Rachel Reeves will unveil her spending review on Wednesday, arguing that her priorities are 'the priorities of working people'. The Chancellor is expected to focus on 'Britain's renewal' as she sets out her spending plans for the coming years, with big increases for the NHS, defence and schools. Arguing that the Government is 'renewing Britain', she will acknowledge that 'too many people in too many parts of the country are yet to feel it'. She will say: 'This Government's task – my task – and the purpose of this spending review is to change that, to ensure that renewal is felt in people's everyday lives, their jobs, their communities.' Among the main announcements is expected to be a £30 billion increase in NHS funding, a rise of around 2.8% in real terms, along with an extra £4.5 billion for schools and a rise in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. But Wednesday could present a tough prospect for other government as the Chancellor seeks to balance Labour's commitments on spending with her fiscal rules. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has already warned that any increase in NHS funding above 2.5% is likely to mean real-terms cuts for other departments, or further tax rises to come in the budget this autumn. This could mean a budgetary squeeze for areas such as local government, the justice system and the Home Office, despite reports that policing would receive an above-inflation settlement. The Chancellor has already insisted that her fiscal rules remain in place, along with Labour's manifesto commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. She will say on Wednesday: 'I have made my choices. In place of chaos, I choose stability. In place of decline, I choose investment. In place of retreat, I choose national renewal. These are my choices. These are this Government's choices. These are the British people's choices.' Article continues below Other announcements expected on Wednesday include £39 billion for social and affordable housing over the next decade as the Government aims to meet its target of building 1.5 million new homes by the next election. The Treasury said this would see annual investment in affordable housing rise to £4 billion by 2029/30, almost double the average of £2.3 billion between 2021 and 2026. The additional spending has been welcomed by homelessness charities, with Crisis calling it 'a determined political signal that housing really matters' and Shelter describing the move as 'a watershed moment in tackling the housing emergency'. The Chancellor has also already announced some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. There is also expected to be an extension of the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027 and an extra £445 million for upgrading Welsh railways. But one of the big losers from the spending review could be London, which is not expected to receive funding for any significant infrastructure projects or powers to introduce a tourist levy – both key requests from Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. The full details will be revealed in the Commons on Wednesday, but several announcements have already been made. They include: – £15.6 billion for public transport projects in England's city regions; – £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, including £14.2 billion for the new Sizewell C power plant in Suffolk; – £39 billion over the next 10 years to build affordable and social housing; – An extension of the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027; – £445 million for upgrades to Welsh railways. The Chancellor is also expected to announce changes to the Treasury's 'green book' rules that govern whether major projects are approved. Article continues below The Government hopes that changing the green book will make it easier to invest in areas outside London and the South East.
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
What does the Spending Review mean for the South East?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is due to deliver her plans later for how much the government is going to spend over the next few years on public Spending Review will set the budgets for all departments over the next few years, including the NHS, schools and look at some of the issues that might impact south-east England. Policing The government has promised more "bobbies on the beat", with 13,000 additional neighbourhood police over the course of this with other big priorities like defence and the NHS, there are fears the Home Secretary will not be given the money needed to adequately fund day-to-day budgets in the South East are already under pressure. Sussex Police is having to find £5m worth of savings this year. Forces in the region also need to absorb an increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and an increase to the minimum Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has told me she is anxious about the government's settlement. She says the South East faces particular challenges, especially with its proximity to London, which is an exporter of drugs and knife Treasury has said police forces will get an above inflation increase, but it is thought some Home Office sources believe the funding allocated is not enough. Housing Councils in Brighton & Hove, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings, Ashford, Gravesham and Canterbury are among those who have struggled under the pressure of unprecedented demand for social housing, with spiralling costs for temporary indicate deputy prime minster and housing secretary Angela Rayner will be given a boost for investment in affordable housing, but whether it will be on the scale that councils in the South East have been calling for remains to be seen. Brighton social housing tenant Mary Davies suffered a mental health breakdown and alcohol addiction during the Covid-19 lockdown and became homeless after her marriage broke said: "You can't rebuild anything in your life without having a safe and secure home."It saved my life and has allowed me to sustain my recovery and get to a point where I can be employed again and be a safe mum to my daughter. "It's worth the government investing in that." Transport Kent has long been seen as England's gateway to Europe and roads across the South East, such as the M25 and M23, are the most heavily-used in the is why the lack of spending for transport has surprised some, as the Treasury has focused on improving transport in the Midlands and the North, with £15bn of spending confirmed for other areas. There are reports that one of the UK's biggest transport infrastructure projects in the UK, the Lower Thames Crossing, will receive only £1bn of the £2bn operators had hoped for to attract private financial tunnel is going to require upwards of £9bn to complete, with the government hoping the project will be complete by the mid that funding has been largely focussed elsewhere has worried some campaigners including councillors in the north of Kent who say more needs to be done to ease the traffic problems they are facing. Councils Last month, the leader of Surrey County Council, Tim Oliver, talked about the "unprecedented challenges" facing local government, which he described as being "often the bottom of the government's priority list".Councils were particularly hard hit after 2010 during the austerity years and officials feel things have not got any better in terms of of growing demand - which have led to huge pressures on local authority finances - include adult social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).The number of children needing education, health and care plans (EHCPS) or specialist school places continues to rise across East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent, which causes stress and heartache for many families.A major reform is on the way, with the two tier system of councils being have said the changes will save money which can be reinvested in public services, but there is a lot of uncertainty about the future of local government.
