SNP backs Plaid's funding call for Wales, says Wigley

The SNP backs Plaid Cymru's call for the Welsh government to be funded in the same way as Scotland, former Plaid leader Lord Wigley has said.

The same funding per head would mean £1.2bn extra a year for the administration in Cardiff Bay.

Plaid and the SNP have been at odds in the past on devolved funding.

But Lord Wigley told his party's spring conference an "understanding" had been reached with the SNP to support giving Wales the same budget deal as Scotland.

A cross-party pledge during the Scottish referendum campaign to maintain higher-per-head Scottish public spending levels appears to have removed any SNP opposition to reforms for Wales.

Addressing the party faithful in Caernarfon, Lord Wigley said: "I'm pleased to tell the conference that we have an understanding from our friends in the SNP that they too will support giving Wales the same budget settlement as Scotland."

Funding is likely to be a key part of any post-election talks between Plaid, the SNP and Labour if Labour is short of a majority after polling day.

'Faith'

Lord Wigley, Plaid's general election campaign co-ordinator, also warned Wales could be completely sidelined unless his party won more seats at Westminster.

He called on the people of Wales to put the "same faith" in Plaid Cymru as Scotland had put in the SNP.

Plaid is hoping to boost its tally of three MPs at the May election.

The party has agreed to form a negotiating block with the SNP and Greens if there is a hung parliament.

In January, Lord Wigley urged Welsh people living in England to consider voting Green to "maximise the impact" of their alliance

Later on Saturday, Elfyn Llwyd gave his final conference speech as MP for Dwyfor Meirionydd and Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader, before stepping down in May's poll.

He said that during 23 years at Westminster he had seen the Plaid group's influence "grow from strength to strength and yet further" and he was "extremely proud of the achievements we've made in that time".