The Welsh Government has published its draft budget which more funding for health and social care and measures aimed at the business sector.
A spokesman for Age Cymru said: “We welcome the draft budget announcement prioritising health and social care.
“However, we’re disappointed at the lack of specific financial support from Welsh Government for older people in Wales who will struggle with their energy bills.”
Melanie Simmonds, head of Save the Children Cymru, said: “The Welsh Government stated that addressing poverty is an ‘absolute priority’ so why not use this draft budget to do something about this?
“While more money is promised across all government departments it’s concerning to see that there is no clear targeted investment in tackling child poverty, especially as figures remain stubbornly high in Wales and means that children are missing out on their basic rights to equal opportunities.”
Ben Francis, FSB Wales policy chairman, said: “The draft budget has delivered an extension of the rates relief for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and the multiplier used to calculate rates for all businesses has been capped.
“This lifeline will be crucial for many businesses in a context of razor-thin margins and soaring costs, helping them to reposition themselves for the next stages of economic recovery.
“In the longer term, the Welsh Government must deliver a business rates framework that aligns with a forward-looking mission to drive prosperity and addresses the imbalance between our small-town centre retailers and large out-of-town developments.”
Helen Whyley, executive director of Royal College of Nursing Wales, said: “Nurses and health care workers have been under immense strain, and while this budget offers potential relief, meaningful change will require targeted investment in fair pay, career progression and improved working conditions.
“It is essential that these resources are used to support the delivery of safe, high-quality care and that the voices of nursing professionals are central to decisions on how the funds are allocated.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “People told me over the summer how proud they are of the NHS in Wales. But they also said they were worried about long waiting times for treatment.
“Today is a real opportunity. With an extra £600m extra for health and social care, we are finally able to unlock the potential and power of the partnership of two Labour governments – in Wales and Westminster – working together, to deliver for the people of Wales.”
Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford said: “With two Labour governments working together, to provide public services with investment which has been denied for far too long, we are able to put Wales back on the path to growth and start undoing the damage inflicted on Wales over the last 14 years.
“The uplift for health and social care today means we will be able to reduce the longest NHS waiting times, continue to improve mental health services and access to social care, and build on strengthening women’s health services in Wales.”