Responding to the 2019/20 draft local government settlement, Powys County Council’s Welsh Labour Group Leader Cllr Matthew Dorrance said:

“Despite the mealy mouthed words of Prime Minister May austerity is not over.

“If spending had kept pace with GDP, the Welsh Labour Government would have an extra £4 billion to invest but instead the Welsh budget has shrunk because of the decisions of the UK Conservative Government.

“In the face of these punishing settlements from Tory Ministers, Welsh Labour have committed to invest in the future, with an additional £500 million for health and social care, £60 million for local Council road refurbishment schemes and £31.5 million for next generation broadband.

“This is in stark contrast to the picture in Tory-run England where councils like Northamptonshire are facing effective bankruptcy due to cuts.

“I call on all councillors, regardless of political party, to work together to get Wales a fair settlement from Westminster. This can then be used to better fund local government in Wales using the formula Council Leaders have agreed with the Welsh Government.”