Welsh government set to lose budget vote as Labour refuses to back spending plans

Plaid Cymru is facing defeat in a Senedd vote on its spending plans after Labour refused to support changes to the budget.

Labour said the Welsh government should withdraw its supplementary budget because of a dispute with teaching unions.

The NAHT and ASCL criticised the government over a pay deal and funding for the education of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN).

Labour finance spokesman Huw Thomas said: "Our view is we cannot support a supplementary budget on that basis."

Plaid Cymru Finance Minister Elin Jones said she was "flabbergasted" by Labour's position, accusing it of behaving as a "destructive opposition".

Without a majority in the Senedd, Plaid needs support from opposition Members of the Senedd (MSs) to win the budget vote on Tuesday night.

Thomas added: "The Welsh government need to withdraw it today, negotiate with those unions to get an agreement there and then bring it back to the chamber."

Published three weeks ago, the supplementary budget worth £300m includes funding to reduce NHS waiting times and expand childcare.

It is Plaid's first opportunity to review the government's spending plans since winning May's Senedd election and ending 27 years of Labour dominance.

Ministers have set aside a further £247m of day-to-day spending which has not yet been allocated.

Labour has been calling for £100m of that unallocated money to be spent on ALN.

On Monday night, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth wrote to Labour with a "final proposal" to spend an extra £40m on ALN this year and in each of the next two financial years.

But on Tuesday morning it emerged the NAHT Cymru and ASCL Cymru unions were in dispute with the government over a 3.5% pay deal and an "on-going crisis" in ALN funding.

Thomas said "if the vote goes ahead we will vote against".

Jones told BBC Wales: "This Senedd has not been able to come together to vote for support for progressive policies in the Senedd.

"I regret that. I'm flabbergasted by Labour's change of heart [and] role in all of this."

Asked if Plaid Cymru should have foreseen that the process would not be straightforward, she said: "Politics is never straightforward, I know that, but I know the nature of making deals as well.

"I know how important that is in a Senedd where there is very seldom a majority government.

"I've seen those deals made in the past, I've been part of them from opposition.

Accusing Labour of behaving as a "destructive opposition", she said the party had "a lot to learn in making deals" if it wanted to be part of a "progressive alliance to ensure that good policies can be delivered by a Senedd that does not have a majority government, and where opposition plays a role in ensuring that policies are delivered throughout Wales, and Labour's failed to deliver that deal today".

What Jones calls a progressive alliance would align Plaid Cymru with Labour and, potentially, the two Greens and single Liberal Democrat in Cardiff Bay votes, so ministers would not need the help of Reform UK or the Conservatives.

Reform UK and the Conservatives have said they are not in talks with the government, with both parties expected to vote against the budget.

The vote, due to be held in the next few hours, takes place in the final week of Senedd business before the summer recess.