Following the conclusion of HMRC’s investigation into Natural Resources Wales’ payroll mismanagement, the Welsh Conservatives have criticised the Welsh Labour Government for wasteful spending in its £14.6 million bailout.
While ministers claim NRW will repay the sum through future budget reductions, the Welsh Conservatives argue that, given NRW’s poor record on tackling pollution, its weak enforcement action, and the potential job cuts announced last September, any further cuts due to Labour’s mismanagement risk worsening pollution incidents and weakening environmental enforcement.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, warned that Labour’s failure to effectively manage NRW casts serious doubt on its ability to deliver meaningful change through the recently announced new water regulator, which risks falling victim to the same bungling oversight.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, said:
“This yet is another example of taxpayers’ money wasted by the Welsh Labour Government.
“Although the Welsh Government says the repayment plan is affordable, the reality is that money which would normally fund vital environmental enforcement, including tackling sewage pollution, will now be redirected to cover the cost of NRW’s £14.6m tax settlement
“With pollution incidents rising and financial mismanagement rife, Labour’s handling of Natural Resources Wales shows the organisation is not fit for purpose and offers little confidence in their ability to effectively manage the new water regulator they’ve just announced.”
