Welsh Government responds to UK Spring Statement 2022

Article summary

The Welsh Government has published a written statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans, responding to the UK Spring Statement 2022, announced on 23 March 2022. In the statement, Evans expressed her approval for adjusting the National Insurance Contribution threshold to mirror the higher income tax threshold in response to calls from the Welsh Government and others that it will benefit workers with lower incomes. However, Evans explained that it was 'deeply disappointing that the Chancellor’s statement does little to alleviate the enormous squeeze on the poorest and most vulnerable households who rely on benefits, or take further action to reduce energy bills.' Evans described the measures announced as insufficient, as having minimal impact and indicative of the lack of a coherent approach.