“You have the powers – use them” – Plaid Leader Adam Price MS challenges Welsh Government to act on cost-of-living crisis

Plaid Cymru calls for immediate action to help “renters, commuters, and families”.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has today called on the Labour Government in Wales to use its powers to act on the cost-of-living crisis.

Ahead of First Minister’s Questions today (Tuesday 20 September), the Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price MS, has called on Mark Drakeford and his Labour Government to use its devolved powers to halve train fares and cap bus fares, freeze rents, and extend free school meals to secondary school pupils – a call that the Plaid Cymru leader has made on numerous occasions.

Mr Price has always been clear that universal primary school meals is “step one” and outlined his vision of extending this policy across Wales at his party’s Spring Conference.

In August 2022, it was revealed that analysis suggested the price cap could rise to £4,266 from January 2023. This is an increase of £2,866 or 200% since winter 2021.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a package of measures to help protect people against the worst of the cost-of-living crisis which included a rent freeze for both social and private tenants until the end of March next year.

Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price MS said,

“The cost-of-living crisis will be on a scale more devastating than most of us can ever remember. People will lose their livelihoods if not their lives.

“That is why it is crucial the Labour Government in Wales use every tool available to them to mitigate the impact of soaring energy bills and plummeting living standards.

“This should include an immediate ban on evictions, halving rail fares and cap bus fares until at least March 2023, the extension of free school meals to secondary school pupils, and a rent freeze which the Welsh Government’s Labour colleagues in Scotland have been campaigning for.

“Failure to do so will represent a dereliction of duty by Labour in Wales to maximise the benefits of devolution. Plaid Cymru’s message to the Labour Welsh Government is clear – you have the powers to act on the cost-of-living crisis, use them.”