The Senedd鈥檚 Finance Committee launched the consultation to gather information to inform its scrutiny of the Welsh Government鈥檚 2027-28 Draft Budget proposals.
The Welsh Government had previously announced that it was planning to publish its Draft Budget on 17 November 2026, and the Final Budget on 16 February 2027.
The Finance Committee looks at the Welsh Government鈥檚 Draft Budget from a strategic, overarching perspective. Where relevant and possible, it is also keen to work with other Senedd committees to ensure that proposals for specific departments or ministerial portfolios are considered in detail.
Our response
In our response, RCPCH Wales:
- called on the Welsh Government to undertake a of the Draft Budget, ensuring spending decisions reflect the needs and rights of children.
- welcomed the Government鈥檚 priorities on waiting times, the cost of living and child poverty, but called for greater strategic focus and investment in children鈥檚 health, including action to reduce waiting times for babies, children and young people.
- urged the Welsh Government to consider a Child Health Investment Standard to secure sustained investment in children鈥檚 services.
- highlighted findings from our State of Child Health 2026 Wales report showing that child health outcomes are stagnating or deteriorating, with the poorest outcomes experienced in the most deprived communities, demonstrating the need for equitable investment to tackle health inequalities.
- supported greater investment in prevention and early intervention, including exploration of a Prevention Departmental Expenditure Limit, with a strong focus on babies, children and young people and the first 1,000 days of life.
We respond to a wide range of consultations to ensure that the College鈥檚 position, and ultimately children鈥檚 health, is represented. Members can get involved in current consultations in Wales by contacting enquiries-wales@rcpch.ac.uk.