The Senedd has approved the Welsh Budget 2025-26, releasing £1.6 billion of extra funding for the NHS, councils, schools and public transport, benefitting people and communities throughout Wales.
In total, the Budget sets out £26 billion of spending commitments with substantial increases across all government departments.
More than £3 billion of capital funding will be allocated in 2025-26 to upgrade vital equipment in the NHS and schools and to build new homes, modernise public transport and support economic growth.
Key investments include:
- more than £600 million extra for the NHS and social care, supporting efforts to reduce waiting times and improve mental health and women's health services
- an extra £50 million to expand Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds throughout Wales and increase the hourly rate to £6.40
- £81 million extra to build social housing to tackle homelessness
- more than £100 million boost to education
- £181.6 million to improve rail services, including modernising the Core Valley Lines
- £15 million to fund a £1 single bus fare scheme for young people under 21
- funding to create a £120 million local authority road and pavement repair scheme
- £25 million for a road improvement fund to improve the strategic road network which will enable us to improve 100km of the network and reduce and prevent potholes
- £335 million support for businesses, including a sixth year of rates relief for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses
- a guaranteed 3.8% funding floor in the local government settlement
The budget will come into effect from April 2025.
For further information please select the following link: £1.6bn extra unlocked for Welsh public services as budget passes | GOV.WALES