Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay has claimed the Welsh Government “doesn’t really give a toss about rural Wales”.

Speaking in the Senedd, the Conservative AM lashed out at the Assembly’s handling of proposed local authority grants, which he claims leaves his constituency and rural Wales worse off than urban areas.

Under this year’s local authorities budget, Monmouthshire County Council will see a 3.1 per cent drop in funding, worth £2.9m, whilst urban areas such as Newport, will see a shortfall of £1.4m, or 0.7 per cent.

In the Senedd address to finance minister Jane Hutt, the Tory AM said the cuts would cause “serious hardship” to Monmouth constituents.

He added that, “The people of Wales deserve to know why this Welsh Government continues to allow rural areas to be hardest hit.”

Mr Ramsay continued by saying he was convinced urban areas - largely under Labour control - were given unfair treatment at the expense of rural communities.

“Isn’t it time for a new local government formula which recognises the costs associated with delivering services over a larger rural areas?

“Sadly, isn’t the message this budget, draft or not, is sending out is that the Welsh Government doesn’t really give a toss about rural Wales, does it?”

Deputy presiding officer David Melding was forced to remind Mr Ramsay that “language is important, elegance is important also for proper political dialogue. Adding that “members better watch it, including you, Mr Ramsay.”

Ms Hutt highlighted that the formula under question was reviewed each year, after reading a statement by Monmouthshire County Council leader Cllr Peter Fox calling for a review into fund allocation.

She said, “He is recognising he has a responsibility as local government does, and that is welcome.”