£680 million public service cash boost for Wales

First Minster Mark Drakeford has announced that Wales’ public services will receive a cash boost of more than £682 million to support their coronavirus efforts over the coming months.

The package includes more than £635 million for the NHS and local councils to help them support the people of Wales over the next six months. The funding boost will support Wales’ vaccination programme, boost testing capacity in the region and bolster the current contact tracing programme.

The package also includes an additional £206.5 million for the Local Government Hardship Fund, supporting vital social care services and ensuring schools are able to adapt to their new ways of working. A further £10.5 million will extend the Discretionary Assistance Fund, providing support for the most vulnerable people in Wales during these difficult times.

Drakeford said: “Throughout the pandemic, the role of our public sector partners – our NHS and local authority colleagues – has been nothing short of heroic. In a uniquely Welsh way, the public sector has worked together to protect the people of Wales. This significant package of investment we are announcing today will help support our crucial public services during the toughest of times until this crisis is over.”