Reform's Welsh leader confirms manifesto costings U-turn
PA MediaReform UK's Welsh leader says his party will publish its Senedd election manifesto costings "very soon", despite initially saying the details would not be released.
Dan Thomas told reporters at Reform's manifesto launch on Thursday that he feared other parties would steal the policies if the costings were released publicly.
But his position was at odds with that of the party's UK leader, Nigel Farage, who told journalists at the same event that they would get a "full list of costings" related to the pledges.
On Friday, Thomas confirmed Reform would now publish the figures following "a discussion internally".
Reform's headline policies announced for May's Senedd election include scrapping the 20mph speed limit in built up areas, building a new M4 relief road, scrapping the Welsh government's Nation of Sanctuary policy, and cutting 1p off every band of income tax.
Asked on Thursday if Reform would publish costings for the policies, Thomas told Newyddion S4C: "We will not be publishing our costings."
He added: "We do have a costed manifesto.
"We will not be publishing it because other parties will steal our ideas and steal our policies."
However, in his own interview with BBC Wales at the launch, Farage said: "You will have a full list of costings."
Farage added: "We have staff now with the IFS [Institute for Fiscal Studies] who are looking at our homework and they'll mark it out of 10."
Asked about the conflicting positions, during an interview with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Friday, Thomas said the party had "had a discussion internally".
"The plan was not to publish [the costings] but we've had a chat and actually we will publish them," he said.
Asked when voters would be able to see the details, Thomas replied: "Very soon".
The IFS has said the policy of cutting 1p off every band of income tax would cost £371m in 2026-27 and up to £420m by 2030-31.
The think tank has also said that Reform's tax cut plans "would likely necessitate cuts in at least some services used by households".
Thomas said on Friday it would be funded by cutting "consultancy and agency spend", and "abolishing or merging" taxpayer-funded organisations not under direct government control.
He said the party would also reform the civil service and scrap financial incentives given by government to encourage green energy projects.
Reform would "protect frontline services", he insisted.
BBC Wales Your Voice Live: Ask the Leader wants you to be in the audience and put your questions to the leaders of Wales' parties.
Click here to put your questions to the leaders of the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats in Haverfordwest on 8 April.
Click here to put your questions to the leaders of Welsh Labour, Reform UK and the Wales Green Party in Llandudno on 15 April.
