Rachel Reeves is set to announce at least £445 million for Welsh transport in spending review
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce major Welsh transport upgrades in her Spending Review.
At least £445 million is set to be spent on rail projects in north and south Wales to enhance connectivity between cities, towns, and centres.
The money will be used to fix level crossings, build new stations and upgrade existing lines.
It is understood to be a combination of direct funding and money for the Welsh Government.
The Treasury said: 'With this Government Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.'
An unnamed Labour Party source has said that the "historic investment is down to the tireless work of the Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, who has delivered Labour's promise to right the chronic underfunding of Welsh rail by the Tories."The source added: "This investment is more than Wales would have had so far had HS2 been Barnettised. It will make a massive difference economically and politically."
Talking on ITV Wales' Sharp End about the announcement, Peter Fox, a Welsh Conservative MS said: 'Its not enough, its no where near enough.'
'We are suppose to be grateful that we are getting the funding, this is not good news for Wales. We should be angry.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Cardiff University cuts ‘could be repeated,' Senedd hears
Wendy Larner, president and vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, appeared before the Senedd's education committee on June 12 as part of an inquiry on higher education. She told Senedd members universities face an existential moment and the financial headwinds 'continue to blow strongly'. Prof Larner said it is an enormously challenging time for the higher education sector – 'not just here in Wales but in the UK and, indeed, globally'. Patrick Younge, chair of council, warned universities do not have a viable business model, with a tuition-fee freeze costing Cardiff £24m more than its competitors from 2017 to 2024. He said: 'If you don't address the fundamentals, all of the Welsh universities will be going through this year on year on year because income is not rising and expense inevitably rises.' Prof Larner said January's 'academic futures' document – which initially included a target to cut 400 jobs – was the beginning of a genuine consultation. The vice-chancellor confirmed the final plan includes retaining nursing, music and modern languages albeit with smaller cohorts and new models. She told the committee the initial target was scaled back to 220, with 151 academic staff leaving voluntarily: 'This leaves a final reduction of 69 full-time equivalents… by 2029/30. Compulsory redundancies are always a last resort.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, questioned the wisdom in proposing changes only to backtrack, 'with resulting damage to staff morale'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, pressed the witnesses about the university's plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan while making cuts at home. Prof Larner replied: 'Transnational education is part of the future for UK universities.' On staff welfare, Prof Larner said: 'We have seen… a little change in stress-related data. As is always the case, the majority of that… refers to personal, not workplace stress. 'But I absolutely understand the challenge here…. I take the well-being of our staff very seriously: this is not easy, change is really difficult.' She criticised the University and College Union for 'blindsiding' the university by going to the press with concerns about a 'total health and safety crisis'.
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
UK Government announces £118m funding for coal tip safety
The UK Labour Government has pledged £118 million over three years for coal tip safety in Wales as part of its latest Spending Review, funding long-term remediation and risk management of disused coal tips. This funding will support the Welsh Government in expanding its coal tip safety programme and accelerating work on legacy sites. Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, said: 'Residents close to coal tips in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney were impacted by the damage caused by Storm Bert last year and came to me seeking reassurances. 'The Welsh Labour Government has already made big strides in this area, and I raised this issue with the Prime Minister last November, so I'm really pleased that the UK Government has also recognised the need for action. 'It's fantastic to see our UK and Welsh Labour governments working together to address this important issue for the future.' More than 2,500 disused coal tips remain across Wales, presenting ongoing safety and environmental challenges. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister, said: "Today's investment is about managing disused coal tips, and most importantly it is about keeping communities safe." The funding is in addition to more than £100 million already committed by the Welsh Government.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Cardiff University cuts ‘could be repeated,' Senedd hears
Wendy Larner, president and vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, appeared before the Senedd's education committee on June 12 as part of an inquiry on higher education. She told Senedd members universities face an existential moment and the financial headwinds 'continue to blow strongly'. Prof Larner said it is an enormously challenging time for the higher education sector – 'not just here in Wales but in the UK and, indeed, globally'. Patrick Younge, chair of council, warned universities do not have a viable business model, with a tuition-fee freeze costing Cardiff £24m more than its competitors from 2017 to 2024. He said: 'If you don't address the fundamentals, all of the Welsh universities will be going through this year on year on year because income is not rising and expense inevitably rises.' Prof Larner said January's 'academic futures' document – which initially included a target to cut 400 jobs – was the beginning of a genuine consultation. The vice-chancellor confirmed the final plan includes retaining nursing, music and modern languages albeit with smaller cohorts and new models. She told the committee the initial target was scaled back to 220, with 151 academic staff leaving voluntarily: 'This leaves a final reduction of 69 full-time equivalents… by 2029/30. Compulsory redundancies are always a last resort.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, questioned the wisdom in proposing changes only to backtrack, 'with resulting damage to staff morale'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, pressed the witnesses about the university's plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan while making cuts at home. Prof Larner replied: 'Transnational education is part of the future for UK universities.' On staff welfare, Prof Larner said: 'We have seen… a little change in stress-related data. As is always the case, the majority of that… refers to personal, not workplace stress. 'But I absolutely understand the challenge here…. I take the well-being of our staff very seriously: this is not easy, change is really difficult.' She criticised the University and College Union for 'blindsiding' the university by going to the press with concerns about a 'total health and safety crisis'.
