Uganda tree-planting scheme loses Welsh government funding

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd Darren Millar said the decision was “long overdue but it is better late than never”.

“It’s outrageous that the Welsh government has been spending so much taxpayers’ money on planting trees in Africa while our schools and hospitals have not been getting the cash they need,” he said.

“It has no responsibility for foreign affairs or international development, so every pound spent on these things is a pound that is being taken away from our NHS, our education system and helping the Welsh economy.

“The Welsh government should put the people of Wales first, not vanity projects overseas.”

But the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds described it as a “short-sighted” decision.

“Tackling climate change and protecting nature isn’t a luxury,” she said.

“Size of Wales has planted millions of trees, built real links between Wales and Uganda, and helped communities protect forests that matter to all of us.

“Plaid are out-Reforming Reform by cutting international funding for work ministers admit has been a success.

“Wales’ global responsibility shouldn’t be the first thing to go.”

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates said: “In opposition, Plaid Cymru repeatedly championed international programmes.

“Yet again, it seems that what Plaid say is very different to what they actually do.”

The Welsh government also provides a grant of £280,000 a year to the charity to deliver an education programme in Welsh schools, which runs until the end of March 2027, with a proposal for the future of the programme to be submitted and considered by the country’s rural resilience and sustainability minister.