Local schools and hospitals will be the first to benefit from the Welsh Assembly Government's spending plans for the next three years.
Labour Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales Joyce Watson AM has welcomed the Assembly Government's budget - announced by Welsh Labour Finance Minister Andrew Davies - which will see investment in Welsh public services increase by an extra £3.64 billion by 2011.
The final budget will also ensure that councils will receive at least an extra 2% rise in funding for local services while local schools are also set to benefit from their share of an extra £32 million to deliver better early years education and to cut class sizes.
Welsh Labour's key budget commitments also include:
- Over £1.2bn extra for health services
- £25m for more and better modern apprenticeships
- Extra help for pensioners with paying council tax
- £120m for childcare
- £93m for improved recycling services
- £30m extra investment for affordable housing
- £278m to help small businesses grow
Joyce Watson AM said:
''This budget delivers real value for the Welsh pound. Money is going where it is needed most - to deliver world class schools and hospitals.
''I am also happy to see that priority is being given to increasing the availability of affordable housing, help for small businesses, help for pensioners, better recycling services, more childcare places and modern apprenticeships.
"The extra £32m for early years education - on top of the £45m announced in November - proves Welsh Labour's commitment to cutting class sizes for our youngest children. Welsh Labour believes that investing in our children at the earliest opportunity delivers the best education results for our schools and ensures a strong future for our communities."
