Understanding and influencing public spending in Wales

Join us for a unique training session on how organisations can engage with and influence Wales’ public spending decisions. 

What’s it about?

Almost all organisations are affected the Welsh Government’s budget, whether it’s paying into it via certain taxes, benefiting directly from grants and allowances, or by service users accessing services.  Many organisations’ campaigns call for additional resources.

But how well do you understand the budget process? And how do you influence it?

Why you should attend

This half-day CPD-certified training will give you unparalleled insights into Welsh public finances, delivered by experts in the field. It will equip you with an understanding of the opportunities and constraints that affect your activities, highlight the best ways to try to influence spending decisions and inform you about key terms.  If you’ve ever wondered how the Barnett formula is calculated or what is a MEG then this is for you. 

The session will cover:

• where the Welsh Government’s funds come from
• trends in and pressures on expenditure
• the budget cycle
• scrutiny and approval.

Speakers and agenda 

We are delighted to announce that we already have a number of great speakers already confirmed with others to follow. You can see our draft agenda below:

1. Welcome and introductions
2. £21 billion: where does it come from? – Guto Ifan, Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University
   This session will explain the role of the UK Government’s spending review and the importance of the Barnett formula. It will also outline the importance of devolved income tax and other devolved taxes.
3. £21 billion: where does it go? – Guto Ifan, Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University
   This session will look at expenditure in the 2021-22 budget. You’ll understand the different components of the budget such as resource and capital expenditure, main expenditure groups and budget expenditure lines.
4. How budgets are prepared – Lisa Daniels-Griffiths, Welsh Treasury
   This session will outline the process of forming the Welsh Government’s budget, helping to identify the points where your campaign can seek to influence budget decisions.
5. How was it for you? Llyr ap Gareth, FSB and Natasha Davies, Chwarae Teg 
   Hear people who have recently worked on influencing the budget share their experiences. 
6. Scrutiny and approval – Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Chair of the Senedd Finance Committee and Owain Roberts, Clerk to the Committee
   How the draft budget is scrutinised in the Senedd, with an opportunity to ask a Member of the Senedd about the budget process. 

Testimonials

Delegates the previous training session public spending said:

Very useful course for someone new to policy, and good value for money.

This short course was informative and engaging

Practicalities

The training will be delivered online, between 9.15 am and 1.00 pm via Zoom.  There will be time for questions and discussion with experts as well as short breaks away from the screen. The number of places is limited to ensure that you have an opportunity to contribute. 

The delegate fee is highly-competitive with discounts for early birds and Bevan Foundation subscribers (£99).  Please note that booking fees are payable in addition to the delegate fee.