A Welsh Government decision affecting international development and environmental initiatives has drawn criticism from leaders of the Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Liberal Democrats and Welsh Labour. The dispute includes funding for Size of Wales, which has supported tree planting and forest protection in Uganda, while separate grants for educational programmes in Welsh schools will continue until March 2027.
Political reaction
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Miller said the decision was “long overdue, but it’s better late than never”.
“It is outrageous that the Welsh Government is spending so much of its taxpayers’ money on planting trees in Africa, but not getting the funding it needs for schools and hospitals,” he said.
“There is no responsibility for diplomacy or international development, so every pound spent on these things is taken away from our NHS and education system and helps the Welsh economy.
“The Welsh Government should put the people of Wales first, not some vanity project overseas.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds described the decision as “short-sighted”.
“Fighting climate change and protecting nature is not a luxury,” she said.
“Size of Wales has planted millions of trees, built real connections between Wales and Uganda, and helped local communities protect the forests that are important to us all.
“The Plaid Party is defeating reform by cutting international funding for initiatives that ministers have recognized as successful.
“Wales’ global responsibilities should not be imposed first.”
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skate said: “In opposition, Plaid Cymru repeatedly defended the international plan.
“Again, what Plaid says and what it actually does seem to be very different.”
Funding for Welsh school programmes
The Welsh Government also provides grants of £280,000 a year to charities delivering educational programmes in Welsh schools.
The programme will run until the end of March 2027. Proposals about its future will then be submitted to the country’s regional ministers for resilience and sustainability for consideration.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk