To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Minister for Wales on the pre-Budget report insofar as it affects the block grant for Wales. (112987)

I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a range of topics, including the pre-Budget report.

On 13 December 2006 the Assembly Government’s budget plans were approved. These set out increased spending for 2007-08 of £836 million more than 2006-07. This included £9.3 million announced in the pre-Budget report. The extra resources will support the delivery of public services across Wales.

I welcome these plans which include the following allocations:

£9.6 million special grant to schools

£2 million to help schools meet the increased cost of energy

£2 million to provide core funding to hospices

£6 million to help higher education institutions meet the overhead costs of charitable research and equal pay agreements

£1.5 million to provide extra women’s refuges, children’s services and sexual abuse counselling

£1 million to support more play facilities for disabled children

£0.5 million to provide extra support for foster carers

£1.4 million to meet the cost of pensions for fire fighters

£1.7 million extra into the revenue support grant for local authorities to support children with special educational needs and autism