AM voices concern over spending cuts

Gwenda Thomas AM for Neath, today expressed her concerns over the impact Government spending cuts would have on her constituents in Neath and surrounding valleys.

‘The net reduction, announced by the Coalition Government, in the Welsh Assembly’s 2010 – 2011 budget, totals £ 163 million, and will mean large constraints on our ability to maintain all the services we currently provide,’ said Mrs. Thomas.

‘We recognise in our current difficult circumstances efficiencies must be found and indeed we have already paved the way in the UK by scrapping the major Welsh quangos. However, we need to clarify the way in which the budget reductions have been calculated in Whitehall.’

‘We must ensure that any changes do not harm the most vulnerable in our society and one of my initial concerns is that of the Child Trust Funds being phased out. This will have a long term effect on children from disadvantaged families in our communities and also for children that are placed in care. This is not the way to reduce child poverty and its effect.’

Mrs Thomas stated, ‘Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Business and Budget, will be scrutinising all of the facts and figures which have been given to her department with a view to minimising the damage that cuts could bring to Wales.’