Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
What recent discussions he has had with local authorities in Wales on the operation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I am advocating a strong and active role for the 22 local authorities in Wales as we make progress on the Shared Prosperity Fund. Devolution isn’t simply about transferring powers to Cardiff Bay – it is about involving every region of Wales in decisions about the Fund.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with ministers in the Welsh Government on ensuring clarity for the public on the covid-19 restrictions applicable in (a) Wales and (b) England.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
There have been unprecedented levels of engagement between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, at present numbering over 100 such engagements. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with the First Minister and his ministerial team including through COBR(M) and the Ministerial Implementation Groups. I have set out a schedule of the Ministerial engagement between my Office and the Welsh Government since the start of the crisis.
All four UK administrations are committed to the UK-wide approach to tackling Covid-19. The overall approach in responding to the pandemic remains aligned across the UK, with each government able to modify that approach to reflect the needs of each nations.
There are some limited differences in the restrictions that apply between Wales and England. These are mainly at the margins of our common approach. It is important that the rationale for any differences is founded on evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the border.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with ministers in the Welsh Government on consistency in the covid-19 restrictions applicable in Wales and England.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
There have been unprecedented levels of engagement between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, at present numbering over 100 such engagements. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with the First Minister and his ministerial team including through COBR(M) and the Ministerial Implementation Groups. I have set out a schedule of the Ministerial engagement between my Office and the Welsh Government since the start of the crisis.
All four UK administrations are committed to the UK-wide approach to tackling Covid-19. The overall approach in responding to the pandemic remains aligned across the UK, with each government able to modify that approach to reflect the needs of each nations.
There are some limited differences in the restrictions that apply between Wales and England. These are mainly at the margins of our common approach. It is important that the rationale for any differences is founded on evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the border.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what progress he has made on laying statutory instruments relating to EU exit preparedness; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alun Cairns
The Government has made good progress in laying the up to 600 statutory instruments required by exit day to ensure a functioning statute book, including laying over 120 SIs in Parliament to make necessary changes on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales. All exit related statutory instruments are published on legislation.gov.uk, and include ‘EU Exit’ in their title.
My Office is working with other Government departments and with the Welsh Government to prepare an Order to make the necessary amendments to the Government of Wales Act 2006 in light of EU exit. These changes can be made after our exit from the EU and we intend to lay the Order in draft this spring.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he plans to announce further progress on the North Wales Growth Bid.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Good progress is being made on the development of a North Wales Growth Deal and it remains my ambition to enter into a Heads of Terms agreement this year. However, a Growth Deal is a partnership between Local Authorities, Private Sector, the Welsh Government and the UK Government and can only be concluded when all parties are agreed that we have reached a transformational deal that will deliver for all parts of North Wales.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of (a) local authorities and (b) the Welsh Government on the North Wales growth bid since 1 October 2017.
Answered by Alun Cairns
My ministerial team and I have met regularly with local authorities, the Welsh Government and industry representatives to discuss the North Wales Growth Deal, most recently on 8 October 2018.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Government has agreed the level of funding to be provided by the Welsh Government for the North Wales growth deal.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Negotiations on the North Wales Growth Deal are ongoing, but good progress is being made. It will be for the Welsh Government to decide how much they wish to invest in the deal.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what advice and support his Office provides to local authorities on the North Wales growth bid.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Ministers have met regularly with Growth Deal leaders to provide feedback and advice as the North Wales Growth deal has been developed.
Additionally, officials at the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales have co-ordinated a wide range of support to local authorities working with departments across Whitehall. This has included weekly telephone conferences, face to face meetings, and regular attendance at the North Wales Executive Group meetings.