(1 day, 23 hours ago)
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Shivani Raja (Leicester East) (Con)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)
I thank NHS staff and care workers for their tireless work, but I also understand the frustration felt by people in Wales that waiting lists are going up under the Plaid Cymru Government. Just last week the Chancellor announced an additional £450 million for the Welsh Government to deliver public services. That is on top of the largest spending review settlement since devolution. I hope that the Welsh Government use this funding wisely to improve NHS services and reduce waiting lists.
Shivani Raja
Welsh Government figures show that, as of March 2025, there were more than 30,000 Welsh people waiting for NHS treatment in England, which is almost three times the number in 2011. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Welsh Government about managing this cross-border demand, reducing waiting times in Wales and ensuring that services in England have the capacity to meet the needs of patients on both sides of the border?
Anna McMorrin
Wales is the home of the NHS, and I am proud of the way that Welsh Labour has always been its fiercest defender, even in the face of Tory austerity. Welsh Labour brought those waiting lists down for 10 consecutive months before the last election. They are now rising under the Plaid Cymru Government, and we need to see clear action from the Welsh Government to bring them down. We regularly have discussions on how we can do that.
Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)
As the Minister has just said, NHS waiting lists have soared to a 10-month high since Plaid Cymru’s election, despite the progress that was being made as they came down under Welsh Labour. Will the Minister join me in urging Plaid to make cutting waiting lists a priority, especially as we enter these winter months, when NHS pressures are at their greatest?
Anna McMorrin
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Waiting lists are going up under Plaid Cymru after the Welsh Labour Government brought them down for 10 months straight. Welsh Labour has always prioritised the NHS, including through free prescriptions, mental health support via 111, free car parking in hospitals, women’s health hubs and specialist mental health support in every school. Those were Welsh Labour decisions based on Welsh Labour values, and I urge the Plaid Cymru Government to honour them, perhaps by using the £450 million in additional funding that this UK Labour Government announced at the Budget just last week.
Llinos Medi (Ynys Môn) (PC)
The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Kinnock)
This was a proudly Labour Budget that provides people in Wales with breathing space for today and hope for tomorrow. We are helping Welsh families with the cost of living by extending 0% VAT on electricity bills, getting rid of gas standing charges and removing the 4% tariff on heating oil to support 105,000 households in Wales.
Llinos Medi
The autumn Budget will deliver real-terms cuts to Welsh public services, because it fails to “compensate for higher inflation.” Those are not my words, but those of Cardiff University, which says that Wales now faces “difficult choices”, including cuts to local authorities such as mine on Ynys Môn. Can the Secretary of State explain why this UK Labour Government are imposing cuts on Welsh public services?
Stephen Kinnock
I genuinely do not know where Plaid Cymru is getting these numbers from. This Budget provides the Welsh Government with an additional £450 million for public services, meaning that the Welsh Government settlement continues to grow in real terms over the spending review period. In addition, the UK Government are providing a £6.5 billion increase in Welsh Government spending power as a result of changes to the fiscal framework, additional funding through the Barnett formula and the largest settlement in the history of devolution. This generational increase in 2025 was the largest settlement for Wales since devolution began in the late 1990s.
Ruth Jones (Newport West and Islwyn) (Lab)
I greatly welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of a further £30 million for the delivery of a new station at Cardiff Parkway, in a constituency that neighbours mine. Does the Secretary of State agree that this investment stands in stark contrast to the approach of the Plaid minority Government at Cardiff Bay, who are threatening to close numerous junctions of the M4, worsening air and noise pollution for my constituents?
Stephen Kinnock
I share my hon. Friend’s frustration. The Welsh Government must recognise that only a relief road will address the needs of the people, the economy and the environment of south-east Wales. What local people do not need is disruption and junction closures. I was pleased to see the Senedd support Welsh Labour’s motion to rule out closures and to begin work on an appropriate relief road for the M4, and I urge Plaid Cymru to work with Newport council and to reconsider its position.
Mims Davies (East Grinstead and Uckfield) (Con)
It was a damp squib Budget that largely forgot Wales. It had nothing on upgrading the A55 or the M4 bypass. The previous Welsh Government were offered the finance by the previous Conservative Government to unclog the Brynglas tunnels, but the Minister’s Labour Senedd colleagues—as we have heard—had the hide last month to call for an M4 relief road, despite being in power for 27 years. Can the Secretary of State explain why Labour is now making calls on projects it could and should have delivered when in power, or do they prefer to be the ones shouting from the hard shoulder?
Stephen Kinnock
I am taken aback by the brass neck of the Conservatives, after 14 years of neglect and incompetence, the failure to fund rail, and the failure to fix so many of the problems that they caused. I am very pleased that the Welsh Labour motion in the Senedd was approved, and we call on the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government to change tack, reconsider and do the right thing for the people of Wales.
Mims Davies
That is a screeching U-turn for us all to see. As we have heard today, matters could go from bad to horrendous for M4 drivers. With the separatist Plaid Cymru Welsh Government now threatening to close multiple junctions, the Wales Office has sat on its hands. Compare that to my Conservative colleagues and me, who scrapped the Severn bridge tolls. Where is the action? Where is the pushback? After this failure, can the Secretary of State tell us why drivers and businesses should have any confidence that the Labour Government will stand up to Plaid for them?
Stephen Kinnock
The hon. Lady talked about the Budget. I remind her of what the Budget does for drivers: it extends the temporary 5p per litre fuel duty cut for a further six months; it makes permanent the 55p per mile tax-free mileage rate for the first 10,000 business miles, which will save a worker travelling 6,000 business miles at least £120 a year in tax from 2027-28; and it extends the 3.7p cut to red diesel duty to 1 July 2027. I respectfully suggest to the hon. Lady that she has another look at the Budget and comes back when she has got her facts right.
David Chadwick (Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe) (LD)
Communities across Wales are desperate to see economic growth and new jobs, and that is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that Wales needs more powers, including powers over borrowing, full powers over rail infrastructure and full powers over the Crown estate. Does the Secretary of State agree and, if so, will Wales get more powers during this Parliament?
Stephen Kinnock
I wish the hon. Gentleman luck in the forthcoming leadership election—I believe he is standing against himself, so I am sure he will have a positive outcome. He mentioned rail, and I am delighted that we have secured at least £445 million to progress rail projects across Wales, including £30 million for Cardiff Parkway, which is front-loaded to support delivery of Welsh priorities during the spending review period. I am sure that he and his party will join me in welcoming those measures.
Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC)
The Prime Minister promised to end 40 years of Thatcherite ideology, but last week’s Budget was a whimper, not a reset. A poll since the Budget found that 60% of voters believe that it merely tinkers around the edges, and in Wales we can see why—real-terms cuts loom for public services, we see a shrinking capital budget and there is no meaningful movement on rail funding. Does the Secretary of State understand why so many people in Wales feel that the Budget falls so far short of the promises talked up by his Government?
Stephen Kinnock
I thank the right hon. Lady for that question, but again I am not sure that those on the Opposition Benches are clear about what the Budget will deliver. In addition to all the breathing space measures, which are making a clear difference to the cost of living, we have £30 million on Cardiff Parkway railway station, £2.5 million on new funding for M-Sparc, £11 million for the Aberavon bridge and £20 million to support reindustrialisation in AI sectors, and that is on top of all the work we are doing on nuclear power at Wylfa and revitalising the Welsh steel industry. With all due respect, she too should have another look at the Budget and come back when she has got her facts straight.
Liz Saville Roberts
The Secretary of State did not mention the £14 billion that has been promised, or the £300 million for Leeds railway station.
There are threats of cuts everywhere. The BBC has announced £9 million of cuts at BBC Cymru Wales, including 58 job losses. Twenty hours of programming, as well as radio shows such as “Dros Ginio” and “Ar y Marc”, will be axed, and Welsh production companies are raising the alarm about the impact of fewer commissions. We have had to fight hard for Welsh-language broadcasting. What is the Secretary of State doing, as Wales’s supposed man in the Cabinet, to protect jobs and safeguard our national media?
Stephen Kinnock
I am proud to be a strong voice for Wales in the Cabinet. Frankly, I find it shocking that those on the Opposition Benches think that Wales should not have a strong voice in the Cabinet. We are ready to work closely with the Welsh Government to ensure that our broadcasting industry, which we are very proud of, continues to go from strength to strength. I look forward to working with the right hon. Lady and other colleagues to achieve that objective.
Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr) (Lab)
The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Kinnock)
The UK Government are committed to driving economic growth in Wales. We are investing £2.6 billion to bring nuclear power back to Wylfa, £500 million to secure the future of Welsh steel, and £50 million to support defence jobs across Wales.
Jim Shannon
I thank the Secretary of State for his response. He and I both know that when it comes to driving economic growth, whether it is in Wales or Northern Ireland, we are always better together. Given that both Wales and Northern Ireland face similar challenges with rural economic development and in supporting our vital small business sectors, what specific lessons has the Department shared with the Northern Ireland Office and the devolved Executive to ensure that targeted regional growth strategies work collectively to strengthen the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Stephen Kinnock
The hon. Gentleman mentions rural economic development. We are extending the 3.7p cut to red diesel to July 2027, and suspending tariffs on fertiliser. We are removing the 4% tariff on heating oil, which will support 105,000 Welsh households, and I am sure that many of his constituents will also benefit. We had productive talks at the National Economic Council in Glasgow. Of course, it was unfortunate that the Northern Irish Government were not represented in those talks, but we will certainly continue to work closely with the hon. Gentleman and others to ensure strong co-operation and collaboration across all the nations that make up our United Kingdom.
Steve Witherden
The Access for All programme is 20 years old this year, yet much work is to be done on making travel easier for rail passengers with mobility constraints. For example, the northbound platform at Ruabon station, in my constituency, still has no step-free access and is in desperate need of a ramp or, better yet, a lift. What steps is the Department taking to improve accessibility at Welsh railway stations?
Stephen Kinnock
I enjoyed meeting my hon. Friend last week, when we discussed Ruabon station. My officials have since raised this project with Network Rail. I am very pleased to confirm that the UK Government have announced Ruabon as one of the 23 stations across Great Britain that have been selected to progress to the next stage of the Access for All programme. I look forward to further engagement with my hon. Friend on this hugely important project, which I believe includes the installation of what is known in the trade as a jack-in-the-box lift.
Carolyn Harris (Neath and Swansea East) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)
This Government are delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war by investing £298 billion over the next four years to strengthen our national security and keep us safe. Wales is well placed to benefit from this investment, with 20,000 defence jobs already in Wales. Every pound that we invest in defence should be judged by what it does. We want to ensure that all investment brings jobs and skills, and strengthens our national security.
Carolyn Harris
It is disappointing to see the Plaid Welsh Government decide to delay defence investment decisions in Wales, including on DARC—the deep space advanced radar capability—in Pembrokeshire. Welsh Labour will always take the defence of Wales seriously, even if Plaid will not. Can the Minister update me on the Welsh Government’s commitment to establishing defence technical excellence colleges in Wales, so we can get on with training up the next generation of defence experts?
Anna McMorrin
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that Labour will always put the defence and security of the Welsh people first. That is why we announced last week that, if the Welsh Government continue to drag their feet on committing to a Wales defence technical excellence college, the UK Government stand ready to step in where Plaid will not. With the Scottish Government already making clear their commitment to DTECs in Scotland, I strongly urge the Welsh Plaid Cymru Government to come to the table and work with us, so that we can protect our security and create the jobs of the future.
Ben Obese-Jecty (Huntingdon) (Con)
The Ajax programme at the General Dynamics land systems factory is obviously a huge employer in Merthyr Tydfil, but with the Government unable to get Ajax back on track and no guarantee of any defence exports, all work at the factory is due to stop after the vehicles have been upgraded to capability drop 4. What are the Government doing to ensure that the jobs at that factory remain beyond the completion of the work on the Ajax programme?
Anna McMorrin
The hon. Member makes a very good point. General Dynamics is a very important company, and I have had many conversations with it about its investment and the continuation of the Ajax programme. We know about the challenges that the programme has encountered, but considerable efforts have been made to resolve them and drive forward the programme. That organisation invests hugely in the local community, delivering high-quality jobs, and part of our £50 million defence growth deal is to ensure that this will continue well into the future.
Charlie Dewhirst (Bridlington and The Wolds) (Con)
The Welsh defence industry supports 20,000 jobs and is absolutely vital to the national security of the United Kingdom, yet defence firms face growing uncertainty over the UK Government’s failure to set out a detailed plan to meet the 3% of GDP target on defence spending and Plaid Cymru’s proposed defence ethical investment framework in Wales, which are both creating serious concern for businesses looking to invest, expand and protect jobs. Therefore, what discussions has the Minister had with defence companies about these concerns, and what is she doing to give the industry the certainty it desperately needs?
Anna McMorrin
I thank the hon. Member for his question, but I think he may have a short memory. It was his Government who cut the Army to its smallest size since Napoleonic times and short-changed the equipment plan by £17 billion. In stark contrast, this Chancellor announced a £298 billion investment in defence over the next four years. We are working at pace to deliver the development growth deal across the country, with high-quality jobs and investment across Wales. I am urging the Plaid Cymru Government to stop at nothing, to work with us and to ensure that we deliver security for the people of Wales and those high-quality jobs.
Mr Alex Barros-Curtis (Cardiff West) (Lab)
The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Kinnock)
Whether it is through Wales’s role in bolstering the UK’s defence and steel production, or leading the way in industries such as compound semiconductors and the life sciences, our Union of nations is hugely strengthened by Wales. We cannot put a ceiling on the awesome talent and ambition of the Welsh people, and I simply cannot understand why Plaid Cymru is hellbent on doing so.
Mr Barros-Curtis
I was shocked to see the front page of the Western Mail last week, which said:
“Free milk scheme for pupils could be scrapped”.
I thought we had gone back in time to the infamous milk snatcher, Margaret Thatcher, but no, it was the modern-day Plaid Cymru Welsh Government. Does the Secretary of State agree with me that scrapping free school milk would be a backward step, and will he commit to working with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the Union means more opportunities for our children in Wales, not fewer?
Stephen Kinnock
Well, I have to say that when Plaid won in May, I did not have Thatcherism 2.0 on my bingo card. First, Plaid dragged its feet on additional learning needs funding; then it refused to commit to Flying Start; and now it may be targeting free school milk. My hon. Friend is right: the Plaid Welsh Government should be supporting children and families, just as this UK Labour Government have by scrapping the two-child cap, which will be hugely beneficial for nearly 70,000 Welsh children.
Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin) (PC)
One would hope that any Union would be a Union of equals, in which equal partners listen to each other with mutual respect. May I respectfully ask the Secretary of State to check his facts, as he has asked Plaid Members to check theirs? Can he confirm that the UK Government have listened to the Welsh Government on the Cynnal child payment pilot? Will he ensure that His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will not count this payment as income, so that families do not lose out on the other benefit support that they need?
Stephen Kinnock
We have a shared priority with devolved Governments to tackle child poverty, so that no child living in poverty in the UK is left behind. Child poverty is a significant challenge, and reducing it over the next 10 years will require ongoing commitment and collaboration, particularly through the implementation phase. We are open to exploring the Welsh Government’s Cynnal pilot and we will continue to engage with them on the details.
John Cooper (Dumfries and Galloway) (Con)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)
I have regular discussions with the Welsh Government on defence and many other matters. We are fully funding the £15 billion defence investment plan, strengthening our armed forces, investing in cutting-edge technology and creating nearly 60,000 additional industry jobs across the UK. Continued uncertainty around the Welsh Government’s approach to defence, and delays to important projects such as DARC—Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability—risk deterring investment and jobs from Wales, as well as risking our national security.
John Cooper
Plaid, the SNP and Sinn Féin: the separatist cabal trying to break up Britain, with little regard for UK defence. In Scotland, we already have a hostile environment for our critical defence industry. What can the Secretary of State do in Wales to prevent the same fate befalling key workers there?
Anna McMorrin
This is absolutely such a critical industry and topic for our country to work on together as a strong United Kingdom. The dither and delay from the Plaid Welsh Government is undermining our Welsh defence sector. It is having a very real impact on jobs, investment and opportunities, and our communities deserve better. I once again urge the Plaid Welsh Government to work with us and stop the delay.
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Torfaen) (Lab)
The deployment of military personnel to deal with wildfires in Wales was very important this summer. Does the Minister agree that, now that UK and Welsh Government summits have taken place and there is additional money in the Welsh budget, we need a plan on wildfire prevention and resilience ahead of next summer?
Anna McMorrin
I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend for his work with his community, and the commoners and firefighters in his constituency. I also pay tribute to all our firefighters and military for their role in fighting the wildfires this summer. The Welsh and UK Governments held summits last month and set out a route forward, including the UK Government equipping RAF helicopters to fight fires in remote areas. That is absolutely essential. The Welsh Government are looking to bring in international expertise. This is yet another example of the importance and power of cross-border collaboration.
Dr Luke Evans (Hinckley and Bosworth) (Con)
The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Kinnock)
Cross-border travel is crucial to unlocking economic growth and employment opportunities. We are investing at least £445 million in Welsh rail, including in the Burns stations in South Wales, to improve cross-border connectivity and to help tackle congestion on the M4, a vital economic link between Wales and England. It is therefore deeply disappointing that the Welsh Government have chosen not to proceed with the M4 relief road.
Dr Evans
One of the biggest straitjackets on economic growth east to west is the “most-bashed bridge in Britain” on the A5 in my patch: the Watling Street bridge. There are plans to lower the road underneath it, but they seem to have stalled. Will the Minister speak with the Transport Secretary to see what can be done to get those plans unstuck, so that the road can be lowered and we can get Britain moving again?
Stephen Kinnock
The A5 is a hugely important cross-border artery, so it is vital to ensure that traffic can flow smoothly. If the hon. Gentleman would care to write to me on the subject, I would be happy to follow up with officials and the Secretary of State for Transport.
Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire) (Lab)
I was very surprised last week to hear the Plaid Cymru Transport Minister calling rail funding of £445 million from the UK Government an “insult”. Does the Minister agree that squabbling about cross-border transport gets us nowhere, and that the Welsh and UK Governments must work together to get spades in the ground for the Magor and Undy Walkway station?
Stephen Kinnock
The UK Government are making a very substantial contribution. It is vital that we invest in rail, and my hon. Friend is right that we now have to ensure that we get those spades in the ground. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work closely with the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, Network Rail and others to ensure that we get those projects up and running as rapidly as possible.