Wednesday, February 18 2009
Assembly budgets are being stretched to breaking point because of the government's obsession with 'crowd pleasing measures' such as free prescriptions, Opposition leader Nick Bourne AM has claimed.
In a letter to the First Minister the Welsh Conservative Assembly leader accuses the Labour-Plaid government of failing to do all it can to help Welsh businesses and workers during the downturn.
Mr Bourne also warns Rhodri Morgan that cuts to further education budgets and a rise in business rates will have a 'catastrophic' effect on industry.
In his letter Nick Bourne says: "Wales has suffered disproportionately from the recession. And up until now the Assembly Government has not done everything within its power to help families, businesses and workers.
Nick Bourne added: "The focus should be on supporting businesses, workers and families, not frittering away money on pet projects and gimmicks."