WELSH finance minister Jane Hutt set out extra funding today for health, education, jobs and growth, stemming from the UK Government’s Autumn Statement allocations.

The Minister confirmed £70m for health in 2015-16 which was announced in December, and announced that £34.9m will be invested in Non-Domestic Rate relief schemes to help small businesses in Wales and a further funding increase of £8.4million for education and skills during 2015-16.

£500,000 is also being allocated for regulated rail fares in 2014-15.

In relation to the £8.8m "capital consequentials", the minister will be considering funding for projects that will deliver the objectives as set out in the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan.

Jane Hutt said: “Whilst we welcome the additional resources coming to Wales, it is important to remember that our Budget in 2015-16 is still 9 per cent lower in real terms than at the start of this Assembly term. Despite the challenging financial environment, we have a strong record of delivering on our priorities.

“Investing in our health service is a priority for the Welsh Government and that is why I announced in December our plans to allocate a further £70m in 2015-16 to the NHS in Wales. “Although we have seen signs of economic recovery, helping small businesses across Wales continues to be important. We have regularly argued that the UK Government should extend its rates relief schemes, to give us the flexibility and resources to do the same in Wales.

“Investment in education and skills reduces the likelihood of unemployment, shrinking the number of poorly paid jobs, and reducing the number of young people not in employment, education or training.”