Asked by: Simon Baynes (Conservative - Clwyd South)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential benefits of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for Wales.
Answered by Robert Buckland
I have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on how Wales’ £585 million share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will level up communities across Wales.
With local authorities, businesses, the third sector and civil society fully engaged, the UKSPF will mean quicker delivery, better targeting and closer alignment with local priorities than previous EU funding.
Asked by: Simon Baynes (Conservative - Clwyd South)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the (a) effectiveness and (b) quantity of testing for covid-19 in Wales.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
Eligibility for Covid-19 testing in Wales is a devolved matter. The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government to identify how the effectiveness of testing in Wales can be improved and the quantity increased. The two Governments are working closely and constructively to ensure our approaches are compatible and to minimise any differences cross-border. As of 9.00am on 15 July, the number of tests carried out in Wales was 9,307.9 per 100,000 people. However, testing per 100,000 people in England remains higher at 15,390.7.
In recent weeks, the UK Government has taken measures to increase testing capacity in Wales by opening two new regional testing sites. The sites, in Deeside and in Ebbw Vale, will both use testing equipment provided to them by the UK Government as well as having the tests analysed in UK Government laboratories.
The UK Government is also supporting the increased testing of care home staff and all care homes in Wales are being offered weekly testing for their staff through the UK Government’s social care portal.
The UK Government has also allocated additional funding to the devolved administrations and to local authorities in England to support Test and Trace schemes. The Welsh Government will receive an additional £18 million in support.
Asked by: Simon Baynes (Conservative - Clwyd South)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the support available to extremely vulnerable adults in Wales during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
For those who are at the highest risk in our society, we have ensured more is done to keep them safe. The shielding programme, which was initiated by the UK Government, is an unprecedented package of support for those most at risk from coronavirus. It has required collaboration between the food and drink industry, drivers, volunteers and councils. Consistency to support the vulnerable has been key. This is why the UK Government and the Welsh Government are working together to protect the most vulnerable in Wales and I discuss this support as part of my regular dialogue with the First Minister and his Ministerial team.