Funding Confidence for Free Childcare
The leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, expressed confidence that the financial calculations for his party's manifesto commitment to expand free childcare are accurate. When questioned on how Plaid would finance this pledge, he emphasized the importance of evaluating the party based on its achievements rather than expenditure, should it form the next Welsh government.
In a BBC Radio Wales interview, with the Senedd election two weeks away, ap Iorwerth explained that Plaid would "reprioritise" the government budget and "spend money differently" to fulfill its promises.
Political Debate on Affordability
The Labour party criticized Plaid's childcare policy as "unaffordable" and urged Plaid to be transparent with voters. The election campaign, culminating on 7 May, has seen parties frequently dispute their plans for public service spending and tax reductions. Notably, none of the parties have released detailed costings during the campaign.
Details of Plaid's Childcare Proposal
Plaid proposes to provide 20 hours of free childcare weekly for children aged nine months to four years. Additionally, the party intends to uphold an existing commitment offering 30 hours of care per week for three and four-year-olds whose parents are engaged in work, education, or training.
Ap Iorwerth's Statements on Funding and Outcomes
During the BBC Radio Wales Breakfast interview on Thursday, ap Iorwerth stated:
"This is all based on what [amount of money] we have in the pot already. We have made careful decisions and choices in order for us to be in a position where we are confident we can deliver that within the funding that we have."
He further added:
"We are asking people to scrutinise us not on how much we spend, but on what we achieve. This will be a government, if we have the honour of forming it, that will be focused on outcomes – what difference we make to people's lives – and in that respect it doesn't matter how much we spend, it's what we do with that money."
When pressed on whether the financial sums added up, ap Iorwerth replied:
"Absolutely. And we're confident that the sums do add up."
Critique of Current Spending on Child Poverty
Ap Iorwerth highlighted persistent child poverty levels despite the Welsh government’s claims of having spent billions on its reduction. He suggested that the government is "celebrating how much they spend without celebrating how much they are doing."
Labour's Response
A Labour spokesperson, representing the current Welsh government, responded:
"Plaid need to be honest with voters on how they will pay for their promises. Again Rhun ap Iorwerth can't say what he'd cut to fund their unaffordable childcare pledge. He says they'll spend money dedicated to tackling child poverty 'differently,' but can't say what vital services he'd scale back."
Comments on Israel and Gaza
In the same interview, ap Iorwerth reiterated his assertion that Israel is committing genocide, following controversy over a Plaid candidate's social media remarks labeling Israel a "terrorist state." Vivek Thuppil, standing for Plaid in the Bangor Conwy Mon constituency alongside ap Iorwerth, made these comments.
Ap Iorwerth stated:
"I believe Israel has been responsible for genocide in Gaza. I will use that word and I believe the people of Gaza have been terrorised over the last two and a half years."
When asked if Thuppil's comments were acceptable, he responded:
"I will use very very strong terms to condemn the actions of Israel in Gaza. In the same way as I condemned the action of terrorists who attacked innocent Israelis in October 2023."
