Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on support for local authority finances throughout Wales.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have had many online meetings with Welsh Government ministers over recent months, including several discussions with Ken Skates, the Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales.
These discussions have covered multiple topics, including the support that is being made available through Local Authorities to support businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The finances of local authorities in Wales is devolved and is a matter for the Welsh Government.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the deployment of military personnel to Wales in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
We have worked closely with the Welsh Government to enable the UK’s armed forces to play a vital role. Our servicemen and women have worked tirelessly to help build hospitals, drive ambulances and get PPE where it is needed most. This is testament to how strong we are as a United Kingdom.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
What recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on cross-border infrastructure.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
I met Ken Skates, Minster for Transport and Economy for the Welsh Government last week and we discussed opportunities to improve transport across the border.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of holding (a) the 2017 Champions League Final and (b) similar events on the economy of Cardiff and the surrounding south Wales area.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Hosting the final of the world’s biggest annual sporting event will undoubtedly bring a huge economic benefit to the whole of Wales. It is estimated it will bring £45m into the Cardiff economy alone and the eyes of the world will be on Wales with an anticipated global TV audience of around 180 million. That is why the UK Government played a critical part by providing the required guarantees to UEFA.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of potential new investment opportunities between Wales and Israel since the Israeli business delegation visit to Wales in 2015.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Inward investment continues to thrive in Wales. 2015/16 was the second best year on record for inward investment, with 97 new projects in Wales. These inward investment projects were from companies based in 23 countries around the world.
UK Government recognises the significant value to the Welsh economy from these investments - at least £660m - creating wider economic benefits, jobs and new business opportunities for Welsh companies through supply chains.
Lordan UK Ltd’s £1million investment into Wales is an example of the new investment opportunities that have arisen since the Israeli business delegation visit to Wales in 2015, which has generated further job and business growth.