Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Mosley Excerpts
Wednesday 21st January 2015

(9 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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The discretionary housing payment is completely flexible and local authorities should use their discretion to see that it is used in the best way. The Wales Audit Office report provides excellent data and highlights some authorities such as Caerphilly and Cardiff that provide excellent practice and support their tenants in meeting the obligations of the spare room subsidy. After all, it is about returning the long-term unemployed back to the workplace, as that offers them the best opportunities and the best prospects.

Stephen Mosley Portrait Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)
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8. What assessment he has made of the level of growth in the high-tech sector in Wales since 2010.

Stephen Crabb Portrait The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)
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Wales has the potential to be a beacon of hi-tech excellence and innovation. Since 2010, thousands of new jobs have been created in the advanced manufacturing, ICT and life sciences sectors. The growth in those sectors is contributing to the rebalancing of our economy, which is so vital to future economic success.

Stephen Mosley Portrait Stephen Mosley
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is remarkable that half the world’s mobile phones contain wafer semi-conductor technology that has been made in Wales?

Stephen Crabb Portrait Stephen Crabb
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My hon. Friend is exactly right. Remarkable transformations are occurring inside the Welsh economy. Much more work needs to be done, but the picture is a positive one. That view stands in stark contrast with what the Labour party would have us believe, as it consistently—week in, week out—talks down the achievements of Welsh business.