First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced today that Wales’ public services will receive a cash boost of over £680m to support their Coronavirus response efforts over the coming months.
According to the Welsh Government, the funding will support Wales’ world-leading vaccination programme, boost testing capacity and improve Wales’ contact tracing programme.
Announcing the new funding package, First Minister Mark Drakeford said;
“Throughout the pandemic, the role of our public sector partners – our NHS and local authority colleagues – has been nothing short of heroic. In a uniquely Welsh way, the public sector has worked together to protect the people of Wales.
“This significant package of investment we are announcing today will help support our crucial public services during the toughest of times until this crisis is over.”
As part of the funding, more than £635m will go to the NHS and local councils to help them support people over the next six months.
Wales has achieved significant success recently in its response to the Coronavirus pandemic, recently achieving the lowest case rates in the UK and the highest vaccination rate of the four nations.
Full details about the additional funding are set to be announced on Tuesday by Finance Minister Rebecca Evans when she publishes the Welsh Government’s final budget.
Ahead of the UK Budget being announced on Wednesday, Ms Evans has also reiterated her calls for continued business support for those on the lowest incomes. The Minister has urged the UK Government to provide guarantees for Wales specific funding pressures and provide an injection of funding to support Wales’ transition to Net-Zero.
