October 06, 2026 - 234 views
Members of the Senedd are being asked to back calls for faster investment in rail infrastructure in Wales, alongside greater flexibility for the Welsh Government over funding from Westminster.
A cross-party motion being debated today calls for action in three areas, including the removal of restrictions on the Wales Reserve, changes to the way the Barnett formula operates and renewed support for the UK Government's £14 billion commitment to rail infrastructure in Wales.
The Welsh Government says removing restrictions on the Wales Reserve would give ministers greater flexibility to respond to unexpected financial pressures, while changes to the Barnett formula could make the system used to determine Wales' funding fairer and more transparent.
The motion also calls for sufficient funding to ensure rail improvement projects can be delivered during the current UK Government Spending Review period.
Finance Minister Elin Jones said commitments on rail investment now needed to be turned into delivery, arguing that faster progress would improve connectivity across Wales.
She said the Welsh and UK Governments should work together on the issues and that a united approach from politicians in the Senedd would give Wales a stronger voice when decisions about funding and infrastructure are made.
