A Carmarthenshire MP has urged the Welsh Government to “put their money where their mouth is” when it comes to rail funding for the country.

MP for Caerfyrddin, and Plaid Cymru's Transport spokesperson in Westminster, Ann Davies MP, has told the Labour Welsh Government not to “settle for less” when it comes to rail funding in Labour’s first UK Government Budget on October 30, after years of Labour calling for billions for Welsh railways while in opposition.

On October 3, Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford called for a fair application of the Barnett formula in relation to rail funding. However, there are hints that the Welsh Government’s previous position of reclassifying HS2 as an England-only project is being diluted.

During the General Election, Welsh Labour claimed that the sum of money owed to Wales is only £350 million, despite the then Shadow Wales Secretary Jo Stevens MP having called for the Conservative Government to deliver the “missing £4.6 billion of rail funding for Wales” in 2022.

Ann Davies MP said: “This Budget is the first real test of Labour's commitment to Wales. After years of slamming the Conservatives for treating Wales unfairly on rail funding, it’s time for Labour to put their money where their mouth is.

“With HS2’s cost now estimated at £66 billion, Wales should be seeing around £4 billion in consequentials. If we’re treated fairly – like Scotland and Northern Ireland – it’s what we’re owed. The Welsh Government must stand firm and refuse to accept crumbs when billions are on the table.

“We’re not asking for a handout; we’re demanding fairness. Labour acknowledged the injustice while in opposition; it’s time for them to fix it in Government,” continued the West Wales MP.

“If Labour fails to act, it’s not just a betrayal of their promises to Wales, it’s a slap in the face to their own colleagues in the Welsh Government, who have worked with Plaid Cymru to make the case for a fair deal for Welsh railways.

“Labour promised ‘change’ to the people of Wales. This Budget is their moment to deliver,” she added.