Oral Answers to Questions

Calvin Bailey Excerpts

Wednesday 4th March 2026 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mr Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

1. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing economic growth in Wales.

[Peter Swallow (Bracknell) (Lab)]

2. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing economic growth in Wales.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, including economic growth and increasing economic growth in Wales. We are creating thousands of jobs across Wales, supported by our investment in nuclear power in Wylfa, two artificial intelligence growth zones, two freeports, two investment zones, rail enhancements across the country and a defence growth deal, to name a few.

[Mr Bailey]

At the announcement of the £50 million Wales defence growth deal that the Secretary of State and the Defence Secretary made a few weeks ago, they visited Space Forge, which, at the request of my air cadets from 12F Walthamstow and Leighton Squadron, I am meeting at the Space Expo in east London tomorrow. Space Force is one of the small and medium-sized enterprises at the forefront of semiconductor and spacecraft technology development in a sector that is supporting economic growth and creating high-quality jobs here in the UK and in Wales. What steps are the Government taking to support space SMEs in accessing finance, and in continuing to grow here, where they can create jobs for my air cadets, rather than relocating to the United States, where space regulations can be more flexible?