Over 80% of Wales is rural. People living in these areas often face higher costs, while their incomes are lower. Public services can be patchy, and current funding models often fail to account for the added costs of delivering them in rural communities.
By putting robust rural proofing of all spending plans and policy programmes on a statutory footing, Plaid Cymru will ensure that responding to the specific needs of rural communities is hardwired into everything the Welsh Government does. And we will review and reform the local government funding formula so that it fairly reflects the realities of serving largely rural populations.
We will also develop a tailored Rural Development Strategy for Wales, drawing on international best practice to tackle poverty and create new economic and social opportunities.
We will work with local authorities to implement the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities, supporting Welsh as a living language in rural areas.