Fay Jones has accused the Welsh Government of mismanaging public services in Wales.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MP, speaking in the Commons in her capacity as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, was responding to criticism about funding in Wales from Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter.

Ms Winter said: “Tory inflation and austerity mean that the Welsh budget is worth £900 million less than it was when it was set, and the autumn statement consequentials do not make up for that. The Institute of Welsh Affairs has called the autumn statement 'a return to austerity' with 'tax cuts at the cost of cuts to public service delivery.'

“It is the people of Wales who are suffering poverty and cuts to public services, so I ask the Minister: instead of the autumn statement tax handouts to the wealthy in London and the south-east, will the Secretary of State not urge the Chancellor to tax the wealthy to better protect Welsh public services?"

Ms Jones had said previously that the UK economy has outperformed expectations this year, and the Prime Minister has delivered on his pledge to halve inflation.

Ms Jones said: “Following the Chancellor’s announcement at the autumn statement, the Welsh Government will receive £305 million in additional funding which can be used to support public services in Wales.”

In response to Ms Winter, the Brecon and Radnorshire MP said: “The House will not be surprised to learn that I completely disagree with the hon. Lady’s assessment.

“It is not the amount of money the Welsh Government are receiving, but the way in which they are mismanaging public services that is the problem.

“The 2021 spending review delivered the Welsh Government a record settlement of £18 billion a year.

“I think she needs to recognise that the problem is on her own side in Wales.”