Speaking on the draft budget debate, mid and west Wales AM, Joyce Watson, slammed the Welsh Tories for 'talking Wales down'.
JOYCE WATSON AM, a member of the Assembly Finance Committee and a former small business owner, said:
"Once again the Tories have nothing positive to say on how to run Wales.
"Whenever they're pressed on how much their plans would cost they cannot or will not give a straight answer.
"Today's Tory amendments are a vague, uncosted wish list, with a complete lack of any coherent alternative budget: that's the test of an opposition and they've seriously failed it.
The Labour-led Assembly Government’s Draft Budget for 2009-10, which was debated in the Assembly on Tuesday (18.11.2008), was announced last month against the background of the world-wide economic downturn and a tight financial settlement for the Assembly Government.
Andrew Davies, Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery, said the budget reflected “tough decisions for challenging times” but delivered more money for health, education and transport, and for local government services. This includes:
• Waiting times – an additional £117m with £63m 09-10 and £54m in 10-11;
• Medical research and development £6.2m 09-10 & £16.2m in 2010-11;
• Foundation Phase - an extra £60m with £20m in 09¬10, and £40m in 10-11;
• Concessionary Fares and Improved Transport Networks £15m in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Joyce added: "In the past week we've seen George Osborne trying to talk down the pound, and now the Tories are talking down Wales again.
"Surely now, at this time of global financial turmoil, we should be working together to build a stronger Wales."
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