Hannah Blythyn MS has welcomed the Welsh Government’s Final Budget for 2026–27, describing it as a Labour budget that puts people first by protecting frontline public services, safeguarding jobs and giving communities the stability they need.

The £27.5bn Final Budget includes £400m of additional investment since the Draft Budget, helping public services meet inflationary pressures and rising pay costs.

This includes an extra £180m for health and social care, taking the total revenue budget to more than £12.6bn, alongside £112.8m of additional funding for local government to support schools, social care and everyday council services.

Speaking following the vote in the Senedd, Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“At its heart, this is a Labour budget that puts people first – protecting frontline public services and safeguarding jobs across our communities.

“It means more money going directly into the services people rely on every day, supporting the staff who keep our NHS, schools and local services running, often under intense pressure.”

The Final Budget includes significant new investment to help public services manage rising costs and pay pressures, recognising the vital contribution of the workforce who deliver those services on the ground.

Hannah Blythyn MS added:

“By using all the resources available to us, our Welsh Labour Government has secured a more ambitious budget. This is about making sure services can keep going, that workers are valued, and that communities are not left carrying the cost of economic uncertainty.”

The Budget also includes funding to move forward with bus franchising, a key step towards building a public transport system that works for people and communities.

Crucially, the Final Budget avoids the damaging consequences of a no vote in the Senedd, which would have led to severe and destabilising cuts to local government.

Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“Investment in bus franchising is about more than transport, it’s about helping people get to work, education and vital services, supporting workers in the sector, and putting passengers and communities before profit.”

“Avoiding the cliff-edge of a no vote matters enormously,” Hannah Blythyn MS said. “It protects councils from crippling cuts and gives communities the certainty and stability they need to plan and deliver the everyday services people depend on.”

The Budget has been agreed through co-operation and collaboration in the Senedd, demonstrating the strength of partnership working in the interests of Wales.