THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S £26 billion budget has been narrowly approved by the Senedd after securing a crucial abstention from Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds. The budget, which funds the NHS, education, and other public services, passed with 29 votes in favour, 28 against, and one abstention on Tuesday evening.

Labour, which holds exactly half of the 60 seats in the Senedd, needed support from at least one opposition member. In exchange for her abstention, Dodds secured a £1 bus fare scheme for under-21s and a commitment to ban greyhound racing in Wales.

High stakes and last-minute deal

Had the budget been rejected, the Welsh Government could have faced an automatic funding cut of up to £4.15 billion, a risk that Labour ministers used to pressure opposition members into negotiations. The Welsh Government’s funding comes mostly from the UK Treasury, and without an agreed budget, vital services could have been at risk.

Labour’s Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford defended the budget as a turning point, stating: “Today, with this budget, we turned the corner—moving beyond austerity towards investment and growth.” He warned that rejecting it would mean losing extra NHS funding, school investments, and childcare support.

Where the money is going

The budget includes:

• £600 million extra for the NHS, aimed at reducing waiting times.
• £100 million for education, including childcare and school funding.
• £81 million for social housing, to tackle homelessness.
• A £15 million pilot scheme to allow 16 to 21-year-olds to travel anywhere in Wales for £1 per journey.

The Welsh Government claims that changes in UK Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending decisions have resulted in an additional £1.5 billion for Wales. However, there are concerns that rising National Insurance contributions for public sector employers could swallow up a significant portion of this funding.

Opposition backlash

Both Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives opposed the budget, arguing it fails to address Wales’ long-term challenges.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth dismissed Drakeford’s claims, stating: “This is a flawed Labour budget. Services will continue to be cut, some will disappear entirely, and council tax will rise significantly.”

Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar argued that rejecting the budget would have been “a good thing”, stating: “If Labour had lost this vote, it would have ended 26 years of tired, clapped-out government that has failed Wales.”

Tensions over failed negotiations

A war of words broke out between Drakeford and Plaid Cymru, with both sides accusing the other of failing to negotiate properly.

Drakeford claimed Plaid did not return to the table after three meetings, while ap Iorwerth insisted Drakeford made no effort to secure a deal.

Plaid’s Heledd Fychan added that the budget “falls short of adequately addressing the challenges Wales faces.” She argued that people would still struggle with rising poverty, food insecurity, and heating costs.

Lib Dems claim victory, Reform UK criticises

Jane Dodds defended her role in securing key concessions, saying: “Today, I feel a deep sense of responsibility. This budget is crucial, not just for the progress we’ve made, but for securing vital funding.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK, which hopes to gain its first Senedd seats in 2026, said the budget “did nothing to fix our struggling economy, failing public services, or the cost-of-living crisis.”

With the budget now passed, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out its funding plans, but opposition parties warn that the financial pressures facing Wales are far from over.

THE TORCH THEATRE will be one of several cinemas in the world to broadcast Beethoven’s Fidelio live from the Met stage this March. With a star cast, Fidelio’s unusual structure, glorious score, and life-affirming aura, will make your Torch visit a unique experience.

Over the years, Fidelio has been called a hymn to freedom and human dignity. Formally a singspiel (with musical numbers separated by spoken dialogue), Fidelio had a long and complex gestation. Its uplifting spirit made it the obvious choice for several important productions marking the end of World War II, including the reopening of the Vienna State Opera in 1955.

Fast forward to 2025 and the opera is still as popular and entertaining as ever. Set in Seville towards the end of the 18th century, during the time of political upheaval following the French Revolution, the Met’s production places the action in an unspecified contemporary setting.

Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen returns to the Metropolitan Opera as Leonore, the faithful wife who risks everything to save her husband from the clutches of tyranny.

Completing the distinguished cast is British tenor David Butt Philip as the political prisoner Florestan, Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as the villainous Don Pizarro, veteran German bass René Pape as the jailer Rocco, Chinese soprano Ying Fang and German tenor Magnus Dietrich as the young Marzelline and Jaquino, and Danish bass Stephen Milling as the principled Don Fernando. Susanna Mälkki conducts the March 15 performance, which will be broadcast live from the Met stage to cinemas worldwide.

Beethoven’s Fidelio can be seen on the Torch Theatre screen on Saturday 15 March at 5pm. Tickets are £20 / £18 concessions / £9 for those Under 26. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

A SWANSEA mother has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her six-year-old son.

Karolina Zurawska, 41, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 3), where she admitted killing Alexander Zurawski. The child was found dead at a property on Cwm Du Close, Gendros, on August 29 last year.

Speaking through an interpreter, Zurawska also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of her father, Krzysztof Siwy.

The court heard she was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and entered her pleas on the grounds of diminished responsibility. She was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on April 25.

‘A kind and clever boy’

Alexander’s family described him as a “very kind child” who was always well-behaved and “never naughty”.

“He loved playing with his little sister and his dog, Daisy,” they said. “He was amazing—always helpful, always eager to assist with cooking and cleaning.”

The family added he was “very clever and mature for his age,” with a “great understanding of facts” and fluency in both English and Polish.

Alexander was a pupil at Whitestone Primary School in West Cross, Swansea, where head teacher Bethan Peterson said he was “popular among his peers”.

“He was an extremely loved and popular boy with all who knew him,” she said.

Ms Peterson described Alexander as a “delightful, determined little boy whose tenacity and positive demeanour ensured his success in all he undertook”.

She added that the school community was “devastated” by his death and that he would be “sadly missed”.