The Government’s Legislative Programme (Wales) 2022-23

Wednesday 11th May 2022 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Simon Hart)]

The legislative programme for the third session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday 10 May. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Wales. It does not include draft Bills, Law Commission Bills or finance Bills.

People in Wales have benefited from our UK-wide £400 billion package of support during the pandemic which has protected over 470,000 jobs in Wales. The UK Government are also providing a record £18 billion per year on average to the Welsh Government through the Barnett formula during the current spending review period, which amounts to the largest block grant settlement for Wales since devolution and an annual increase of £2.5 billion. The Welsh Government are able to spend this funding in line with their priorities in devolved areas.

This Government will continue to deliver for people and businesses across Wales, as part of a strong United Kingdom. In the first allocations of our UK-wide growth funds, Wales received £121 million for 10 projects to improve infrastructure in Wales as part of the levelling up fund, over £460,000 for 3 projects through the community ownership fund to save community assets at risk of being lost, and over £46 million for 165 projects in Wales through the UK community renewal fund.

Looking ahead, communities in Wales will receive £585 million through the UK shared prosperity fund. This will help to spread opportunity, increase prosperity and level up every corner of the UK. This funding includes over £101 million for Wales for an adult numeracy programme, Multiply, which will support people to develop their numeracy skills.

This is on top of the UK Government’s investment of over £790 million in the four city and growth deals in Wales. At autumn Budget, funding was accelerated for the Cardiff City region deal to fast-track projects that range from innovation and fintech, to manufacturing and infrastructure.

We are emerging from the worst public health crisis in over a century and this Government’s focus will be on boosting economic growth across the UK to address the cost of living, helping to create the conditions for more people to have high-wage, high-skill jobs; backing the police to make the streets safer and supporting the NHS to clear the covid backlogs. By focusing on these priorities our legislative programme will directly contribute to levelling up and spreading opportunity across the whole of the United Kingdom.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Wales, either in full or in part:

Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

Bill of Rights

Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions Bill

Brexit Freedoms Bill

Conversion Therapy Bill

Data Reform Bill

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill

Energy Security Bill

Financial Services and Markets Bill

Harbours (Seafarers’ Remuneration) Bill

Higher Education Bill

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill

Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

Media Bill

Modern Slavery Bill

National Security Bill

Non-Domestic Ratings Bill

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

Online Safety Bill

Procurement Bill

Products Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill

Public Order Bill

Social Housing Regulation Bill

Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill

Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill

Transport Bill

UK Infrastructure Bank Bill

The Government take their responsibilities in Wales seriously and will continue to work constructively with the Welsh Government to secure the legislative consent of the Senedd Cymru where appropriate.

[HCWS58]