Welsh Government has confirmed its final Budget for 2020/21 with little change to its plans for housing.
Consequentials flowing from the UK Budget on March 11 could yet change the sums but Tuesday’s final Budget confirms capital spending plans in the draft Budget published in September including £223 million in Social Housing Grants and £10 million for the Land for Housing Scheme.
And it also means disappointment for organisations campaigning for a boost for Housing Support Grant to restore its value in real terms.
Cymorth Cymru director Katie Dalton, Community Housing Cymru chief executive Stuart Ropke and Welsh Women’s Aid chief executive Eleri Butler made a joint statement in response.
‘We are disappointed that the Housing Support Grant has not been increased in the final Welsh Government budget for 2020-21. However, we recognise that the Welsh Government has been placed in the extraordinary position of having to table their budget before the UK Government has made its spending plans clear.
‘We have been heartened by recent comments made by the housing minister and finance minister who have recognised the cross party calls for further investment and indicated that the Housing Support Grant will be the priority for additional funds from the UK budget.
‘We know that services are at a tipping point, following over £37million real term cuts over the past decade of austerity. We urge Welsh Ministers to ensure that the Housing Support Grant is first in line for additional funding.’