Latest news with #MarkDrakeford
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Extra £36m to be given to Welsh public services for NI
The increase in employer contributions has resulted in an additional burden of £257 million annually for the Welsh public sector. The UK Government has provided £185 million towards this, leaving a £72 million shortfall. The Welsh Government said it will plug half of this gap with money from its reserves. However, this still leaves a £36 million shortfall. Finance secretary Mark Drakeford said: "We're protecting our vital public services by using £36 million from our reserves to help address the National Insurance shortfall left by the UK Government. "The UK Government did provide funding, but this falls short of the actual costs faced by Welsh public services, creating a multi-million-pound gap every year. "We have stepped in to help as much as we can, but the Welsh Government cannot afford to cover the entire shortfall." He said that the UK Government should treat the public sector across the UK the same and fully fund the costs, making good on its pledge. The Welsh Government has said the increase in employer National Insurance contributions has created an estimated cost pressure of £257 million across the Welsh public sector. The UK Government has provided Wales with a Barnett share of funding, instead of meeting the actual costs to the Welsh public sector. The Welsh Government's additional £36 million reduces this gap to around £36 million this year.
Pembrokeshire Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Extra funding to help plug National Insurance shortfall in Wales
Welsh Government steps in to protect vital services WELSH public services are set to receive additional funding to help meet rising employer National Insurance (NI) costs—after a shortfall in support from the UK Government left a significant funding gap. The increase in employer NI contributions has added an estimated £257 million in annual costs to the Welsh public sector. Of that, the UK Government has committed £185 million, leaving a £72 million deficit. To help cover this shortfall, the Welsh Government has announced it will allocate £36 million from its reserves. This brings the total support package to £220 million, which will cover approximately 85% of the increased costs. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: 'We're protecting our vital public services by using £36 million from our reserves to help address the National Insurance shortfall left by the UK Government. 'While the UK Government has provided some funding, it does not match the actual financial burden now facing Welsh services. This leaves a multi-million-pound gap year after year. 'We've stepped in to support our services as much as we can, but we cannot afford to plug the entire shortfall. The UK Government should treat public services equally across the UK and honour its commitment to fully fund these extra costs.' The Welsh Government warned that continued shortfalls could place pressure on frontline services if the funding gap is not fully addressed. The Welsh Lib Dems responded to what they say was Mark Drakeford's National Insurance Bombshell. Leader Jane Dodds MS said: 'The Welsh Lib Dems have opposed this disastrous jobs tax from day one. Not only is it hammering our small businesses with unemployment in Wales rising, but it is now clear it will leave Wales with a gaping hole in its public finances and our public services worse off. 'The fact that the First Minister cannot even convince the UK government that the increased cost to the public sector should be covered by the Treasury shows how little influence Welsh Labour have in London. 'The Liberal Democrats will continue to argue for a reversal of the national insurance hike and fair funding for Wales.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NI hike leaves hole in Wales' budget
Higher National Insurance payments for doctors, nurses and teachers has left the Welsh government with a £36m hole in its budget, according to the finance minister. Last year, the UK government increased the amount employers have to pay in National Insurance (NI) with the Welsh government, which employs tens of thousands of public sector workers, left with a £257m bill. The Finance Minister Mark Drakeford said he had added £36m from Welsh government reserves while the the Treasury provided £185m to help plug the gap. However, it still leaves £36m to find, which could come from cuts to other services, as Drakeford said the government "cannot afford to cover the entire shortfall". What is National Insurance and how is it changing? Drakeford criticises Reeves on NI rise compensation "The UK government should treat the public sector the same across the UK and make good on its pledge to fully fund these extra costs," he added. The row is the latest dispute between the Labour administrations in Cardiff and London ahead of next year's Senedd elections. First Minister Eluned Morgan said earlier this month she would "not stay silent" if Sir Keir Starmer's government takes decisions "we think will harm Welsh communities". Welsh ministers have tried and so far failed to get extra cash to cover the rise in National Insurance contributions for the public sector. Their argument has been that the normal way of working these things out - the Barnett formula - does not take into account the disproportionate size of Wales' public sector compared to England. Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives criticised the UK government decision to increase the tax in the first place and also want full compensation for Wales. Expect them to seize on this and claim Wales is being hit by a double whammy - the increase is harming both Welsh businesses and the public sector. Welsh Labour's relationship with UK Labour, and whether two Labour governments working together is better for Wales is becoming one of the main themes of next year's election campaign.
