Senedd speaker's dire warning over £22m funding 'black hole'

THE Senedd could face a £22m funding gap and run out of money to pay staff, politicians and contractors by January 2027, the Welsh Parliament's speaker has revealed.

- CHRIS HAINES ICNN Senedd reporter

Elin Jones, the presiding officer or Llywydd, warned of dire knock-on effects for the Senedd of a failure to agree the Welsh Government's 2026/27 budget.

Labour lacks a majority and needs opposition support to pass its spending plans.

If the deadlock is not broken, the Senedd - like the government - would be forced to operate on 75%, and subsequently 95%, of this year's budget in the next financial year from April. Ms Jones said such a scenario would present a significant financial challenge, resulting in the Senedd effectively running out of cash after only nine months in January 2027.

She told the Senedd's finance committee that expansion from 60 politicians to 96 at the May 2026 election will cost about an extra £13m in pay and allowances.

Ms Jones, who chairs the Senedd commission, which manages the estate and support services, wrote: "This represents the principal factor behind a potential funding gap of around £22m.