Labour accused of 'eroding' Welsh government

摘要

A former Welsh secretary has accused the Assembly's Labour leadership of plans to 'progressively erode' local government. David Jones hit out following the Welsh Government's decision to axe a £1.6m services improvement grant paid to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) because the country's Labour leadership feels the cash could be better spent on direct devolved services. Wales' minister for public services, Leighton Andrews, announced last week that he would discontinue the improvement grant and said he was also urging his Cabinet colleagues to reconsider other grants paid to the WLGA. Mr Jones said: 'I am concerned at the way local government is being sidelined. Forced mergers, removal of planning discretion - and now this. I believe the Welsh Government ultimately wants to abolish local government or, at least, emasculate it.'