After surpassing his predecessor’s record-breaking premiership, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has now been in Downing Street for over 100 days. What has Sunak used his first three months as Prime Minister to do? More specifically, what has he done to help Wales inside this window?
As the first South Asian PM in history, Sunak’s appointment is already in the political history books. Like many history-making leaders his promises and pledges aim to make a difference, however, within the last 100 days, many Welsh citizens believe that there has been little improvement.
The Autumn Statement proposed extra funding for Wales, as Sunak and the Conservatives aimed to help the economic downturn in Wales. Although, as Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford replied, if the budget increase was to follow the changes within the British economy, it should have increased by 15% rather than 7.9%.
Furthermore, in January, a total of 11 Welsh projects were granted £208 million as part of the Levelling Up Fund, in a bid to drive forward Sunak’s pledge to grow the economy and “build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives”. These projects include a £50 million cross rail in Cardiff, and the renovation of one of the most recognisable buildings in South Wales, the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl.
Spending within the NHS is currently issuing 14% per person more than other countries, the Welsh NHS has been under increased pressures (as have other nations) with front line services continuing to strike over the coming months. Sunak’s response to criticism was that he saw that Wales has had sufficient funding to deal with the increased pressures and his additional funding for England was in no way about “political point scoring”.
A key aim of Mr Sunak was to ‘repair’ the relationship between the House of Parliament and the Senedd. Since his appointment, Drakeford and Sunak have had “constructive” conversations and discussed a “wide range of issues affecting Wales”.
Overall, Sunak’s 100 days in the Prime Minister’s office has resulted in many promises and pledges and, as of date, many believe the results are yet to be felt. As the UK’s economy is only expected to shrink in 2023, Sunak’s Spring Budget in March is expected to create a clear path for economic growth, and hopefully greater support for Wales.