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3w ago

Treasury’s England and Wales Label on Oxford-Cambridge Rail Project Draws Sharp Welsh Criticism

Welsh leaders warn that the Barnett Formula could strip Wales of hundreds of millions by counting the Oxford-Cambridge line as an England and Wales project.

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Overview

  • The UK Treasury has classified the £6.6 billion Oxford-Cambridge rail upgrades as an England and Wales scheme despite no infrastructure planned in Wales.
  • That designation blocks Wales from receiving extra Barnett Formula funding that an England-only project would trigger, potentially costing Cardiff hundreds of millions.
  • First Minister Eluned Morgan and Transport Secretary Ken Skates say they will push for reclassification and a fairer funding share in the next UK spending review.
  • Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrat MPs accuse ministers of deliberately shortchanging Wales and compare the move to previous HS2 funding disputes.
  • The UK Government cites its rail enhancements pipeline, including Cardiff Central Station improvements, but unions and Welsh leaders say these measures don’t make up for the lost Barnett investment.