The Welsh Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of failing to provide key information to the public over the replacement of EU development funds for Wales and of misleading people over the extent to which EU funding will be replaced.
In the House of Lords, Former Welsh Liberal Democrat
Leader Mike German has challenged the Government twice in two weeks to
provide details of the per capita spend for Welsh people under the UKs
replacement scheme.
However, the Government has replied both times stating
that it “regrets it is not in a position to confirm the per capita allocation
of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in each nation at this stage”.
Commenting Lord Mike German
stated:
“How can this Conservative Government state they are
matching our former funding under the EU development scheme when they cannot
even provide a per capita figure on what they have spent so far?
“Under the previous EU system, Wales received £780 per
head. It is now clearer than ever that Wales is not getting its fair share of
development funds and that the Conservative Party has broken its Brexit promise
that Wales would not lose any funding because of leaving the EU.”
“This is yet the latest in a long line of broken promises
to Wales by the Conservatives. With some of the highest levels of poverty in
Western Europe, Wales cannot afford to lose development funding.
“The fact that Government is not able to provide us with
a per capita spend for the UK's four nations sends worrying signals that this
is not even something that is on their radar. Knowing per capita spend is so
important because some areas of the UK are in much greater need than other
wealthier regions.
“Welsh Conservative MPs urgently need to get a grip and
speak to their bosses about ensuring we do not lose any more funding.
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