Today (Wednesday, June 25), Plaid Cymru have forced a debate in the Senedd to discuss fair funding. If passed, the result would force the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government to replace the Barnett Formula with a new, fair funding settlement for Wales.

Plaid Cymru argue that Wales is currently funded unfairly, as the Barnett formula is distributed according to population share, rather than by need. According to Plaid Cymru, this means that Wales loses out on millions, and in some instances, billions, of Treasury funding.

The debate comes after the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review which gave Wales £445 million for rail infrastructure, compared to almost £15.8 billion for local and regional transport across England.

Heledd Fychan MS will also reference the fact that the Welsh public sector has not been fully reimbursed for Labour’s National Insurance contributions hike, whilst English public sector institutions have been reimbursed in full.

Plaid Cymru will also place blame on the Labour Party, both in Westminster and the Senedd, for not giving Wales what it’s owed. Ms Fychan MS argues that Labour have broken their promise of a ‘partnership in power’ as they claimed before the 2024 UK general election, as the Labour party is now working against the interests of the people of Wales.

Plaid Cymru finance spokesperson, Heledd Fychan MS, said: "A funding formula from the 1970s has no place in Wales’ modern democracy. The continual underfunding of Wales should have been consigned to the history books long ago, but Labour’s continued inaction on this matter is letting Wales down.

“Whether it’s consequential funding from rail projects in England which means Wales loses out on billions, whether it’s the insufficient National Insurance reimbursement which means Wales’ public sector loses out, or the unfair Barnett formula which leaves Wales shortchanged, Wales is left behind.

“Plaid Cymru is, and always has been clear, that the status quo is not as good as it gets for Wales. Under Labour, we are fed crumbs off the table and told to be grateful. A Plaid Cymru Government would have real ambition for our nation, creating a fairer, stronger Wales with funding to adequately invest in our communities.”

“A Plaid Cymru Government in 2026 would be resolute in demanding that Wales gets what we’re owed. We will never give up the fight to ensure our communities get their fair share.”