How will the Welsh Government rural-proof Government spending so that rural areas are given a fair distribution of funding from any new Government initiatives?
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring the needs of rural communities are considered in public spending decisions. All new policies are subject to an Integrated Impact Assessment, which explicitly includes rural proofing as a core component. This ensures that the potential impacts on rural areas are identified and addressed at an early stage of policy development.
We recognise, however, that more can be done to strengthen and make this approach more consistent across Government. Over 80% of Wales is rural, and as a Government we are determined to ensure that the needs of these communities are fully reflected in how funding is allocated.
In line with our manifesto commitment, we will explore how we can strengthen rural proofing across spending plans and policy programmes, including considering how to place this on a more robust and systematic footing. We will continue to strengthen our use of evidence and engagement to inform budget decisions and to support thriving rural communities across Wales.