Plaid demands more cash, but how could the Budget affect Wales?

Plaid Cymru ministers say they want extra cash for railways and public services in Wales ahead of the UK government's Budget on Wednesday.

Welsh Finance Minister Elin Jones called for the Chancellor John Healey to set out a spending plan that "finally treats us fairly".

The Budget announces Westminster's tax and spending plans for the year ahead - and more cash given to English public services could result in extra spending in Wales where they are devolved.

A UK government spokesperson said the chancellor would focus on giving households and businesses "a bit of breathing space where we can".

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Meanwhile, shoppers in one of Wales' busiest markets told BBC Wales that once again the cost of living was their biggest concern before the spending announcement.

Any extra spending for things in England that are controlled in Wales by the Welsh government - like healthcare, schools and roads - could trigger additional cash for the country.

Elin Jones had asked the chancellor to bring forward £1bn of the £14bn the UK Labour government had promised for long-term rail funding in Wales.

She also asked for extra money to help the Welsh government set its budget for 2027-28, which currently faces a real-term cut in day-to-day spending.

She previously claimed Wednesday's settlement could be the worst for the Welsh government since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elin Jones says Wales needs a budget that treats the country "fairly"

Jones said Wales had been short-changed "for years".

"This UK Budget is the moment of truth, and we need the chancellor to act, not just acknowledge the problem," she said.

"Wales pulls its weight in the UK economy.

We contribute.

Now we need the UK government to match that ambition with action and deliver a budget that finally treats us fairly."

There have also been calls from Labour MP Nia Griffith to give the Welsh government greater flexibility to borrow to fund investment projects.

A senior Welsh Labour source said they had been "pressing really hard for fiscal flexibility", along the lines of Griffith's request.

Ahead of Wednesday's announcement, shoppers and traders at Swansea Market said the cost of living was their biggest concern.

"Will we be able to see through the winter without having to borrow money," said shopper Louise.

"It's quite a worry."

Like others at the market, Louise admitted feeling "anxious" about the winter, despite having saved some money with her supplier.

Help with energy costs was the top of many people's lists of things they wanted help with in the Budget.

Prices rose at the beginning of the month and typical bills are forecast to increase by 16% in January because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Louise says she is worried about the winter because "everything is getting more expensive"

Dad-of-two Richard said his wage did not keep up with rising energy bills, leaving his family "penny pinching towards the end of the month".

"Things that we used to have as a bit of luxury are out of the question, days out with family cost a fortune," he said.

Rural homes that use heating oil have also seen a dramatic increase in costs.

The chancellor had already announced he will remove import taxes to bring the price down a little.

Healey has talked about giving people "breathing space" from cost-of-living pressures, and revealed a package of small measures he is calling "everyday fixes" ahead of the Budget.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham also wants to cut standing charges from gas bills.

If further support is offered in the Budget, it would be likely limited and targeted to the poorest households.

Richard, from Swansea, says "a lot of things that used to be affordable are now out of reach"

The cost of filling up cars soared this year as the conflict in the Middle East pushed up the price of oil.

Petrol prices hit a four-year high in September, and diesel has also shot up.

The cost of transporting fruit and veg is one issue putting pressure on Gareth Evans, who is the fourth generation of his family to run the Get Fresh stall at Swansea Market.

"We get costs passed on to us from our suppliers.

"We've also got vans ourselves and we supply caterers and diesel is very expensive."