WAITING FOR THE WORD

As part of the public spending review, the Chancellor George Osbourne announced that the Welsh government's budget will be cut by two per cent in 2015. Revealing details of the spending review MPs were told that the day-to-day revenue budget would be set at £13.6 billion pounds. He also revealed that the UK government would publish its response to the Silk commission on assembly powers shortly and details of an "impressive" M4 relief road plan would be revealed on Wednesday. The Wales Office (the Whitehall department) which represents Wales in the UK government would get a cut of 10% in its running costs. The Welsh government budget cuts are part of £11.5 billion pound savings from the UK government's overall spending plans of £740 billion pounds. Mr Osborne has more than once (before today) highlighted the need for a M4 relief road around Newport, while supporters of the scheme, and those who oppose it were hoping that the Chancellor would give the scheme the go-ahead this week it now appears that they and the residents of Brynglas (who’s homes have been threatened by a new M4 tunnel) will now have to wait a little longer before they get a definitive answer. Serious questions remain over how much the project will cost up to £1 billion pounds will be paid for? Will it be a toll road? Just exactly how better the money could be spent?