THE Welsh Assembly passed the draft budget for 2015-16 yesterday (TUES), around 10 per cent lower in real terms than it was in 2010-11.

Assembly members backed the proposals by 27 votes to 21 with five abstentions.

Among the figures passed was an extra £225 million to be invested in the Welsh NHS, and £10 million to social services.

The government is also introducing a new scheme to give cheap bus travel to 16 and 17 year olds.

But local authorities may have hard times ahead with Gwent councils facing cuts of up to 4.3 per cent in next year’s budget settlement.

Finance minister Jane Hutt said during a debate yesterday: “We have faced some very tough decisions. But it’s about facing up to reality and preparing to make these tough decisions in the face of the most challenging financial times since devolution.”

The budget was agreed after the Labour group made a two-year deal with Liberal Democrats which included increasing the Pupil Deprivation Grant from £918 to £1050 per eligible pupil.

Lynne Neagle, AM for Torfaen, said: “We have suffered for nearly five years with [Conservatives] in government but it never gets easier to watch them handing over valued public sector services to their pals in the private sector. My overriding concern when it comes to this is the impact on councils.”

Speaking ahead of the debate on the budget, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat shadow minister for finance, said: “Through this budget, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have delivered a major investment into our schools, while also offering a huge boost to Wales’ economy.

“We remain determined to give extra support to Wales’ poorest pupils.

“Affordable public transport is key to enabling young people to access work, education, training and apprenticeships. Now, because of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, people aged 16-18 will have the help they need to travel to allow them to take advantage of the opportunities on offer.”

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: “We are disappointed that the Welsh Government has failed to produce a budget that delivers for the whole of Wales. Plaid Cymru had always maintained that what is needed is an all-Wales budget where communities are not pitted against each other, and where spending is in line with long-term planning.

“We know that more budget cuts are likely to follow in future whichever party is in government in Westminster, and the Welsh Government should be fighting to oppose these cuts and plan for every eventuality now.”