Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, which towns in Wales were considered for funding through the Plan for Neighbourhoods; and on what evidential basis the successful towns were chosen.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2025 (UIN 37472).

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking to help ensure electricity bills do not increase in Wales, in the context of proposals for zonal energy pricing.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

No decision has been taken on Zonal or Reformed National pricing. The Government are currently conducting analysis to understand the impacts of zonal pricing on consumers, including those in Wales.

The Government will ultimately develop proposals that minimise costs and ensure a fair outcome for consumers, as part of our Plan for Change to lower bills and improve living standards.

The Government is working closely with the Welsh Government to understand how any potential review of electricity market arrangements (REMA) reforms could impact Welsh consumers and industry, and this will be taken into account as part of the final decision-making process.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many policy reviews and consultations the Wales Office has launched since the General Election on 4 July 2024; what the subject of each review is; and what the anticipated timescales are for their completion.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Wales Office has not launched any policy reviews or consultations since the General Election on 4 July 2024.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Wales intends to meet Welsh Ministers to discuss the future of the Welsh National Opera.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

My colleagues, the Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP and the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Wales Dame Nia Griffith MP, meet with Welsh Government colleagues frequently on a range of issues including culture. Our two governments are working in close partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.

In October, the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Wales Dame Nia Griffith MP and DCMS Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP met with Welsh Government Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant MS to discuss the Welsh National Opera and to recognise the value of its work, not just for the people of Wales but also for the people of England.

Minister Bryant then held a series of meetings with Welsh National Opera and Arts Council England to understand the issue in more detail. This series of meetings was able to reassure everyone that all partners wanted to see a positive long-term future for Welsh National Opera.

My colleague, the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Wales Dame Nia Griffith MP, looks forward to meeting with you at the end of this month to discuss this further.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the median age is of computers issued to officials in their Department.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

The Wales Office does not hold this information. The Department’s computers are provided by the Ministry of Justice.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking to improve productivity rates in Wales.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

Growth is the number one mission of the government. Our new Industrial Strategy is central to that Growth Mission and our Plan for Change. The Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors – those in which the UK excels today and will excel tomorrow. The Strategy will play to Wales’s sectoral strengths, including Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Creative Industries.

My department has been working closely across UK Government and the Welsh Government on the Industrial Strategy. I have also established the Welsh Economic Growth Advisory Group, a group that brings together business, industry, university and trade unions to discuss key economic issues across Wales.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking to reduce economic inactivity in Wales.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we have committed £240m of investment towards sixteen trailblazers to test new and innovative ways to support people into work and tackle the root causes of inactivity, including one in Wales. My department has been working in close partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government to co-develop and deliver the trailblazer in Wales.

Since coming into government, I have worked with UK and Welsh Government colleagues to drive over £1.5 billion in private investment from Eren Holding and Kellogg’s, creating and sustaining over 400 jobs. Wales is also set to benefit from a £250 million investment from one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers which is expected to support over 500 high value jobs and hundreds more through the wider supply chain. In addition, we will support tens of thousands of new jobs through our Welsh Investment Zones and Freeports.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the (a) closure of Oakwood theme park and (b) potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on the (i) hospitality and (ii) tourism sectors in Wales.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of matters, including those affecting the Welsh economy.

I was saddened to hear about the closure of Oakwood Theme Park. I understand this will be a concerning time for workers at the park and their families.  However, Wales's tourism and hospitality offering continues to be among the best in the world, and both the UK and Welsh Governments are committed to supporting these sectors.

Regarding the impact of changes to National Insurance contributions on the sector, the UK Government has protected the smallest businesses by more than doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500, ensuring over half of small and micro businesses pay less or no national insurance contributions. Small and Medium sized enterprises account for 99.3% of total enterprises in Wales.

The UK Government is committed to supporting the Welsh tourism and hospitality sectors. In February, we announced a £15 million investment for Venue Cymru and the Newport Transporter Bridge. These are two key projects that will help boost the tourism and culture sectors in Wales.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether she has had discussions with Welsh farmers on changes to inheritance tax.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

Yes.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people in Wales will be impacted by welfare reform.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, with some information already published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found here Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK.

There are currently 347,100 Universal Credit claimants in Wales, with 267,100 claimants of Personal Independence Payments. 89,000 claimants in Wales are receiving both Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit. Overall, 15% of working age people in Wales receive a disability or incapacity benefit and around a quarter are neither in work nor looking for work.

To raise living standards in every corner of our country, we need to unleash the talents of people across the UK wherever they live. However, the system we inherited has left millions of people trapped on benefits, without the support they need to build a better life.

We know many sick and disabled people want to work, with the right help and support. They deserve the same rights, chances and choices to get good jobs as anybody else. That is why the government is fixing the social security system so that it gives those who could work the help they need, and those who can’t work the dignity and security they deserve.

The Department for Work and Pensions will continue to work with the Welsh government and other devolved governments, which will include looking at Welsh specific impacts to help support people back into work if they are able to, but also protect those who rely on our social security system.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, if she will have discussions with the Welsh Government on the potential implications for their policies of the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

I have regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a wide range of matters.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government, which was also sent to the Welsh Government. We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Found: James Phillips, Veterans Commissioner for Wales, Office of the Veterans Commissioner for Wales Q56–71

Found: AFC0080 - The Armed Forces Covenant Wales Office Written Evidence

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on (a) the long-term sustainability of Welsh National Opera’s full-time orchestra and (b) ensuring the continuation of its touring programme across England and Wales.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

On behalf of the Secretary of State, last year I held a series of productive meetings with the Wales Office, Welsh Government, Arts Council England, and Welsh National Opera (WNO) to understand the issues in more detail and to see how, within the parameters of the arm’s length principle, DCMS can best help ensure a strong and secure future for the WNO.

Across all these meetings there was a recognition of the value of the WNO and its work - both for the people of Wales, and for people elsewhere in the UK. It was clear that all partners were keen to achieve a positive long-term future for the organisation.

Everyone wants to sustain the WNO, and so I was pleased to see additional funding of £755,000 allocated by the Arts Council of Wales to WNO last December. Funding decisions are of course for the Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England, however, I welcome the tenure of the new joint CEOs and General Directors at WNO, and I am confident that they are now in a strong place to succeed.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish an assessment of the potential impact of the decision to means test the winter fuel payment on the number of excess deaths in winter 2024-25.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a difficult decision, but the right decision given the challenging public finances. The Government is, however, protecting pensioners on the lowest incomes. Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or other qualifying means-tested benefits or tax credits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 or over.

A very wide range of factors impact changes in mortality. Details of excess winter deaths in England and Wales can be found at: Winter mortality in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 40651 on Wales Office: Computers, what the median age is of computers issued to officials in the Wales Office.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We are unable to provide the median age of laptop and desktop computers in the Wales Office due to the disproportionate amount of time it would take to calculate. However, our policy is to refresh laptops and desktop computers issued to officials every 4-5 years.

Found: The Welsh Government and UK Government Wales office were also represented on the Panel. 

Found: Q3 2023 - Q4 2024 Table_23 Office of the Public Guardian applications registered in England and Wales Office

Found: Population and household estimates, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Found: Grant – Final report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 9 Population and household estimates, England and Wales – Office

Found: Dame Nia Griffith DBE MP, Minister for Equalities, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Wales Office

Found: Nia Griffith D B E M P , Minister for Equalities, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Wales Office

Found: Population and household estimates, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Found: Developer’s Response Please respond to each comment pancreatic cancer cases in England and Wales. (Office

Found: Office of National Statistics (2003) Census 200 1: Ethnicity and Religion in England and Wales. Office

Found: age groups and fewer in the over 55 age groups, when compared to the population of England and Wales (Office

Found: Ethnicity and Religion in England and Wales. Office of National Statistics 2003. 25.

Found: Strategy – rolling replacement programme for laptops and other ICT equipment. 100 IFR16 re West Wales office

Found: Justice and the Information Commissioner’s Office, there has been no specific engagement with the Wales Office

Found: Notes, Wales Act 2017, Chapter 4, paragraph 629 (see also paragraph 203) 55 Welsh Government, Wales Office

Found: £200,000 in 2024-25 to £40,000 (for the expected release of a dilapidations provision for the west Wales office

Found: We’ve already worked on the north Wales office, the Siambr and Senedd building, Tŷ Hywel—all these are

Found: “universally positive”121 and it is applying lessons learned to the relocation of its north Wales office

Found: Funded Bodies Total Managed Expenditure 20,165,487 2,885,125 675,005 1,386,494 25,112,111 - Wales Office

Found: probably as good as they’ve ever been, both in terms of the officials based in Wales with the Wales Office

Found: The draft budget document states that the use of Tŷ Hywel, the Pierhead building and the north Wales office

Found: adaptable home, there is a need to review the use of Tŷ Hywel, the Pierhead Building and the North Wales office

Found: Premises costs have fallen as home working has meant the North Wales office lease has not been renewed

Found: Premises costs have fallen as home working has meant the North Wales office lease has not been renewed

Found: Premises costs have fallen as home working has meant the North Wales office lease has not been renewed

Found: This year’s underspend totals £18k and is made up of £10k from the Wales Office budget and £8k from

Found: x 3 14 x 3 3 126 Employment on-costs (30%) 108 Total 468 Auditor General for Wales office

Found: x 3 14 x 3 3 126 Employment on-costs (30%) 108 Total 468 Auditor General for Wales office

Found: Funded Bodies Total Managed Expenditure 21,243,404 3,343,136 1,589,726 1,521,382 27,697,648 - Wales Office

Found: that: “We have held regular and useful conversations with the colleagues in the UK Government Wales Office

Found: Wales Governance Centre (Wales Fiscal Analysis) Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Office

Found: Services Barnardo’s Cymru Cafcass Cymru 2 Care Inspectorate Wales Children’s Commissioner for Wales Office

Found: Practice Lead for Wales, Royal College of Occupational Therapists Pippa Cotterill, Head of Wales Office

Found: Director Bevan Foundation 18 January 2024 Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Office

Found: prior to the calling of the UK general election, Welsh Government officials were likely to meet Wales Office

Found: Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidates Lists) Bill and engagement between the Welsh Government and the Wales Office

Found: 2 May 2024 Dear Jane Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: engagement with the Wales Office

Found: Council Learning through Landscapes National Independent Safeguarding Board Natural Resources Wales Office

Found: believes reducing self-harm is key to suicide prevention | Samaritans 17 Suicides in England and Wales – Office

Found: that 1 in 4 young women and 1 in 10 young men have self -harmed at 1 Suicides in England and Wales - Office

Found: self-harm in older adults: A qualitative study - eClinicalMedicine 21 Suicides in England and Wales - Office

Found: factors, and 10-year projection - Public Health Wales 23 Monthly mortality analysis, England and Wales - Office

Found: Funded Bodies Total Managed Expenditure 22,525,531 3,488,021 1,370,085 1,353,983 28,737,620 - Wales Office

Found: Wales Office Minister, Dame Nia Griffith, and Welsh Government Economy Secretary, Rebecca Evans were

Found: Thanks, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Kind regards, Sarah Private Office | Wales Office Swyddfa Preifat | Cymru Gwydyr House |

Found: www.gov.uk/cymru Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Thanks, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Thanks, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Thanks, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: wishes, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: wishes, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Best, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Best, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Best, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Best, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Best, Sarah Sarah Jennings Deputy Director for Strategy & Principal Private Secretary, Wales Office

Found: Funded Bodies Total Managed Expenditure 21,243,404 3,343,136 1,589,726 1,521,382 27,697,648 - Wales Office

Found: Senior Civil Service (i.e. who are in Bands TS–EB1) including those on loan or secondment to the Wales Office

Found: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Wales Office (WO) lead the