First Minister Eluned Morgan is set to lobby the UK Chancellor over the lack of funding for railways in Wales, as reported by Wales Online. Morgan highlighted that Wales has been “short-changed” in terms of railway funding and pledged to address this issue directly with the Chancellor. During the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, discussions took place regarding consequential funding for the HS2 project, with Morgan mentioning that the Chancellor seemed receptive in a “listening mode.”
The HS2 project has raised concerns in Wales as it was designated as an England and Wales project, despite no inclusion of Welsh territory in the scheme. Plaid Cymru has called for Wales to receive £4 billion in consequential funding, aligning with the proportional funding received by Scotland and Northern Ireland due to the project. Morgan emphasised the importance of recognising Wales’ shortfall in rail infrastructure funding and expressed interest in seeing how the conversation progresses.
Amid tough decisions facing the Chancellor to balance budgets, Morgan acknowledged the need for increased funding for rail infrastructure in Wales. She highlighted the UK Government’s commitments to rail developments in North Wales under Labour, contrasting it with past Tory governance. Discussions have also taken place on reforming funding calculations to ensure a fair funding system for Wales.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Senedd elections, Morgan expressed seriousness towards preparing for the proportional representation-based election. She noted concerns about various political parties’ popularity, emphasizing the importance of aligning government priorities with the needs and aspirations of the Welsh population to maintain trust.
Underlining Labour’s initiatives in Wales, Morgan mentioned the significance of providing essential services such as free medicines, hospital car parking, and bus passes for seniors. She stressed the need to remind people of the positive impact Labour has on their lives through these services.
Regarding the Welsh Government’s goal to reach one million Welsh language speakers by 2050, Morgan emphasised the importance of being supportive and non-judgmental to encourage language growth. Reflecting on her interactions with Welsh-language speakers, she highlighted the need to foster a welcoming environment for language learners.
In response to the government’s commitment to improving rail infrastructure in Wales, a Westminster Government spokesperson mentioned the importance of collaborations between the UK Government and devolved administrations on transport matters. They clarified that the UK Government invests directly in heavy rail infrastructure across England and Wales to enhance transport connectivity and services.
As discussions on railway funding and future elections continue, Morgan’s efforts to address funding discrepancies and align government priorities with public needs signify a proactive approach towards enhancing the welfare and infrastructure in Wales.