Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that there is close co-operation between the UK and Welsh Governments during the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer (Simon Hart)

The UK Government has worked hand in hand with the Welsh Government in our response to Covid-19, including through the COBR Ministerial Committee and the Ministerial Implementation Groups, totalling 116 engagements since the start of the crisis. I have suggested to the First Minister of Wales that this level of co-operation could be even closer if the Parliamentary Under-Secretary or I were able to attend meetings of the Welsh Government’s Covid-19 Core Ministerial Group.

We will continue to work closely with all the devolved administrations to ensure the most effective measures are in place in all parts of the UK. Where there are differences in the approach between Wales and England, it is vital that the rationale is founded on robust evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the border.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on support for people in Wales whose employment has been adversely affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer (Simon Hart)

The Government has taken unprecedented measures UK-wide to support the economy during these difficult times. This includes injecting over £6.5bn into the welfare system, for example by increasing the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 a week.

The Government has also implemented a package of measures to support businesses and their employees through the covid-19 outbreak, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-employment Income Support Scheme. In Wales, 316,000 jobs have been supported by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and 102,000 self-employed have claimed the Self-employment Income Support Scheme.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on funding for the proposed growth deals for Wales.

Answer (Simon Hart)

I have held recent meetings with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and with the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government to discuss a range of issues, including the City and Regional Growth Deals in Wales. The Government is committed to ensuring that these deals deliver economic growth and jobs across the whole of Wales and I will continue to work closely with my colleagues to enable that to happen.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Welsh business community on future trading arrangements with the EU.

Answer (Simon Hart)

I have frequent discussions with a wide range of representatives of the Welsh business community including representatives from the agriculture, automotive, and broader business sectors. As part of these discussions, I regularly discuss the Government’s ambitions for future trading arrangements with the EU and the opportunities offered by trade deals with the US, Japan and other priority partners.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of universal credit on the cost of living of low-income families in (a) Newport West and (b) Wales.

Answer (Simon Hart)

Universal Credit is helping parents to move into and remain in work, offering the best opportunity for families to move out of poverty and to improve children’s long-term outcomes. Universal Credit helps families with the cost of living by providing budgeting support and paying up to 85% of childcare costs.

Since the introduction of Universal Credit to Newport West at the end of 2017, unemployment has fallen by over 40%, with 1,000 fewer people unemployed. The employment rate in Newport West is above the average for Great Britain.

Universal Credit continues to have a positive effect on the labour market in Wales with 34.4% of claimants in Wales in employment. Unemployment in Wales is at a new record low, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, below the UK average of 3.8%.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the renewable energy sector in Wales.

Answer (Simon Hart)

I discuss a range of issues with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy including the renewable energy sector in Wales. The Government is committed to ensuring that renewable energy is part of the UK’s future energy mix.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Wales economy of the UK leaving EU without a deal.

Answer (Alun Cairns)

The UK Government’s preferred position is to leave the EU with a deal that works for Wales.

In the event of no-deal, the Government would of course take economic measures to mitigate any short-run disruption, support the economy through the transition, and to boost the long-term potential of the Welsh economy. The Welsh economy approaches EU exit from a strong position, unemployment is down and the employment rate has reached a record high.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2017.

Answer (Kevin Foster)

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales spent the following on ministerial travel (rail, cars and air) in 2017 and 2018:

*First class travel was by rail only.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2018.

Answer (Kevin Foster)

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales spent the following on ministerial travel (rail, cars and air) in 2017 and 2018:

*First class travel was by rail only.