Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last undertook an official visit to Brecon and Radnorshire constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Brecon and Radnorshire. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 199,000 payments delivered in Brecon and Radnorshire through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 9,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £41 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £65 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Brecon and Radnorshire with over £1.1 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. It has also provided £28 million towards the development of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence, a rail innovation facility which will benefit the south of the constituency. Brecon and Radnorshire has also received over £225,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities.
In addition, Powys, the local authority for the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency, is receiving over £27 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Powys is also receiving almost £7 million from the Levelling Up Fund to deliver the Brecon and Radnorshire Strategic Town Centre Investment package. This is in addition to the £240,000 awarded to the Radnor Arms Hotel through the Community Ownership Fund. Brecon and Radnorshire will also benefit from the £110 million Mid Wales Growth Deal.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister in his Department last made an official visit to Bridgend constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Bridgend. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 225,000 payments delivered in Bridgend through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 14,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £24 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £63 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Bridgend with around £1.5 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Bridgend has also received around £6,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities.
In addition, Bridgend County Borough Council, the local authority for the Bridgend constituency, is receiving over £23 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Bridgend is also receiving nearly £18 million from the Levelling Up Fund for a major re-development of the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl. Bridgend also benefits from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, including the £50 million region-wide sites and premises fund.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 230,000 payments delivered in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 12,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £33 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £90 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire with around £36.6 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire will also benefit from the Celtic Freeport, backed by £26 million from UK Government. The Celtic Freeport aims to attract significant inward investment including £3.5 billion in green energy as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900 million in Gross Value Added by 2030.
In addition, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, the local authorities for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency, are receiving over £38 million and over £23 million respectively, from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Carmarthenshire is also receiving over £36 million from the Levelling Up Fund to deliver the Tywi Valley active travel path, and new public service Hubs in Carmarthen and Pembroke. The constituency also benefits from the £235 million Swansea Bay City Deal, including £28 million invested in the Pembroke Dock Marine project.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Cardiff South and Penarth constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Cardiff South and Penarth. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes over 303,000 payments delivered in Cardiff South and Penarth through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 19,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £37 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £127 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Cardiff South and Penarth with around £22 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Cardiff South and Penarth has also received around £185,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities. Cardiff South and Penarth will also benefit from UK Government funding to refurbish public tennis courts across the UK.
In addition, Cardiff City Council, the local authority for the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency, is receiving over £41 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cardiff is also receiving £50 million from the Levelling Up Fund for Cardiff Crossrail which will deliver a new rail line between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station. The constituency also benefits from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, including an investment of £40 million in the Metro Central project.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Carmarthen East and Dinefwr. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes over 198,000 payments delivered in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 10,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £31 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and around £62 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Carmarthen East and Dinefwr with over £1.1 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Carmarthen East and Dinefwr has also received around £24,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities.
In addition, Carmarthenshire, the local authority for the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency, is receiving over £38 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Carmarthenshire is also receiving over £36 million from the Levelling Up Fund to deliver the Tywi Valley active travel path, and new public service Hubs in Carmarthen and Pembroke. The constituency also benefits from the £235 million Swansea Bay City Deal, including the £10 million region-wide skills and talent programme.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Ceredigion constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Ceredigion. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 203,000 payments delivered in Ceredigion through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 9,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £34 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and around £68 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Ceredigion with around £1.3 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Ceredigion has also received around £73,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities.
In addition, Ceredigion County Council, the local authority for the Ceredigion constituency, is receiving almost £15 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Ceredigion is also receiving over £10 million from the Levelling Up Fund for the Aberystwyth Seafront. This is in addition to the almost £460,000 awarded to the Aberporth Village Hall and Recreation Ground and the Aberystwyth and District Hospice at Home Volunteers through the Community Ownership Fund. Ceredigion will also benefit from the £110 million Mid Wales Growth Deal.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Cardiff West constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Cardiff West. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes over 257,000 payments delivered in Cardiff West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 15,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £32 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £59 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans. The UK Government has also supported innovation within Cardiff West with around £2.7 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019.
In addition, Cardiff City Council, the local authority for the Cardiff West constituency, is receiving over £41 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cardiff West also benefits from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, including the £50 million region-wide Innovation Investment Fund.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment his Department has made of the differential in domestic energy costs between Wales and the rest of the UK.
Answered by Robert Buckland
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) publishes annual estimates of gas and electricity bills along with statistics on household expenditure of fuel. The most recent statistics published by BEIS regarding average variable unit costs and standing charges for gas demonstrates that in 2021, in North Wales and Merseyside the average variable unit price (£/kWh) was on par with the average across Great Britain, while in South Wales the average was £0.0006 per kWh higher. Similarly, in 2021, the most recent statistics published by BEIS regarding average variable unit costs and standing charges for standard electricity saw those in South Wales see an average variable unit price (£/kWh) on par with the UK average, with those in North Wales and Merseyside paying £0.01 more than the UK average. This Government is committed to ensuring that all regions pay a fair price for energy.
The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and today, the Prime Minister set out further measures of support that this government will be providing as we deal with these global challenges. Action taken by this government will see a typical household in Great Britain pay no more than £2,500 on their energy bills from October for each of the next two years. This will save a typical household £1,000 a year and comes in addition to the non-refundable £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the potential impact of the Written Statement of 23 June 2022 on Business Update, Official Report, HCWS137, on Senedd Cymru's Trade Union (Wales) Act 2017.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on a wide range of issues.
The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022 have no direct impact on the Trade Union (Wales) Act 2017.
Employment and industrial relations law is however a reserved matter. As previously stated in 2017, the UK Government intends to legislate to remove the Trade Union (Wales) Act 2017 through primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows, to ensure trade union legislation applies equally across Great Britain.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on UK Government financial support for tackling the flooding caused in Wales by storm Dennis.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
My Department and others are determined to ensure that all of those affected by flooding are supported in the best way possible. Flood response in Wales is a devolved matter. The UK Government will look seriously at any request from the Welsh Government for additional support and assistance for flood relief, including additional finances.