PLAID Cymru has hit out at the Welsh Government’s local government settlement, which will see the budget of Carmarthenshire County Council slashed by almost £9million next year.

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM and Plaid Cymru's spokesman on Local Government, Rhodri Glyn Thomas described the cuts as ‘cruel’ and said the impact would be felt in every home in every community.

"These cuts are the result of the Westminster's cruel austerity agenda, but they are astonishingly being facilitated by a Labour Government in Cardiff Bay that has done nothing whatsoever to stand up for Wales,” said Mr Thomas.

"With Ed Miliband committing to Tory Spending Plans should he get the keys to Downing Street, these cuts would be forced upon us irrespective of who was running the country.

“Plaid Cymru, however, rejects austerity and believes investment is the way to boost our economy, generate greater employment and protect our public services and public sector workers from these savage attacks.”

Plaid has launched a seven-point plan which they believe outlines steps the Welsh Government can take right now to boost the Welsh economy.

Mr Thomas said: “Our communities need this swift action or the services we depend on will disappear and thousands more jobs will be lost as a result of years more of austerity.

"A 'complain but cut anyway' mentality from the council's Labour leader does nothing to save day centres, buses, meals on wheels or public amenities."

Leader of the Plaid Cymru Group on Carmarthenshire County Council, Councillor Emlyn Dole said: “If these cuts continue to build up year-on-year we will see more of the services we rely upon disappear, and more redundancies occur.

“Cuts to facilities such as leisure centres and swimming pools and increased charges for sports and recreational activities are certain to impact on the health of children, young people and the elderly.

"As the opposition group on the council we will scrutinise the Labour party's cuts and do our level best to protect the services Carmarthenshire residents depend on."