Welsh Labour has warned it will not back the Welsh government's budget if the Flying Start early years programme faces cuts. Party leader Ken Skates described the scheme's future as a "red line" during ongoing budget discussions with the Plaid Cymru-led government.
Plaid Cymru's Minister for Government Effectiveness, Dafydd Trystan Davies, acknowledged strong aspects of Flying Start but did not guarantee its continuation in its current form. He stated, "I don't think I can guarantee that any single programme will be in its current form." Davies emphasised the importance of speech and language therapy and health aspects within the childcare offer.
The Welsh government, which lacks a Senedd majority, needs agreements with other parties to pass budgets. It plans to expand its free childcare policy, aiming to provide 20 hours a week to all children aged nine months to four years, a move estimated to require £250m to £500m in additional annual funding.
The Flying Start scheme, launched in 2007, supports children in poorer areas with development and includes 12.5 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds. Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates expressed concern that Flying Start money might be used to fund the broader childcare offer, potentially impacting disadvantaged children.