Wales to benefit from Spending Review

As part of her Spending Review, chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced investment into Welsh rails worth at least £445 million, as part of a wider mission to boost the UK’s renewal.

This transformative package will reconnect Wales’ industrial heartland, improve commuter journeys, and drive economic growth in areas that have suffered from isolation and disconnectivity.

The funding will go towards fixing level crossings, building new stations, and improving existing lines across both north and south Wales. In particular, the rail upgrades will link areas of advanced manufacturing excellence in North Wales to improve connections between Cardiff and Bristol.

Also in Wales, Port Talbot will benefit from up to £580 million to secure the future of steelmaking and moving the port towards being a clean energy hub, and £500 million for Tata Steel’s new Electric Arc Furnace will protect 5,000 jobs while reducing carbon emissions.

Secretary of state for Wales, Jo Stevens, said: “This UK government is investing in Wales’ future and driving economic growth across the country.

“We promised we would deal with the historical under-investment in Wales’ rail network and the funding announced today in this Spending Review shows we are delivering on that pledge.

“Along with a record financial settlement for Welsh government to improve public services, £118 million more to help keep coal tips safe and investment in growing industries like aerospace, we are backing Wales’ potential and delivering for working people.”

Other funding announcements for Wales include a boost to Wales’ aerospace and automotive industries, under the increase in defence spending to 2.6 per cent of GDP, a further £118 million between 2026-27 and 2028-29 to protect disuse coal tips, £130 million to support Welsh businesses, a record settlement of £22.4 billion each year for Welsh public services, and a new local growth fund to funnel money into projects that matter most to Welsh people.