Asked by: Catherine Fookes (Labour - Monmouthshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support recovery from flooding caused by Storm Claudia in Wales.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
I saw first-hand the devastating impact of Storm Claudia in Monmouthshire when I visited on 20 November with my hon. Friend. My thoughts, and I’m sure those of the whole house, remain with affected residents.
I went to Monmouth to thank emergency responders and local residents who have all rallied together to support the community, and the Mayor of Monmouth, Jacqui Atkin who has raised a substantial sum to help with the clean-up operation.
Both the Welsh and UK Governments will do whatever it takes to support the people and businesses of Monmouthshire to recover in the weeks and months ahead.
Asked by: Gagan Mohindra (Conservative - South West Hertfordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to build large nuclear sites in Wales.
Answered by Anna McMorrin - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
This Government has chosen Wylfa as the best site to host Britain’s first ever three Small Modular Reactors.
Great British Energy-Nuclear has confirmed it could host up to eight SMR units in the future, bringing in even more jobs, investment and benefits for Wales.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of not uprating Local Housing Allowance on homelessness in Wales.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
I have discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on a regular basis and on a range of issues. My officials work closely with DWP, MHCLG and other departments, including regarding Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
The Government is taking action to support low-income households, including removing the two-child limit to reduce child poverty, benefitting 69,000 children in Wales. In addition, we are increasing the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage building on April 2025 increases that already helped up to 160,000 workers in Wales, cutting household energy bills by £150 per year and uprating the Universal Credit Standard Allowance by over 6%. This is the first ever sustained real terms increase in the Standard Allowance, directly benefitting 320,000 households in Wales.
Discretionary Housing Payments are available from local authorities for those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and need further support.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on securing the integrity of the 2026 Senedd elections from interference by foreign state actors.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
The UK Government takes any attempts to intervene in democratic processes very seriously. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic and electoral processes, including from foreign interference.
The Government addresses these challenges through coordinated efforts led by the Defending Democracy Taskforce and Joint Election Security and Preparedness (JESP) Unit which monitor and mitigate election security risks, including foreign interference. JESP maintains regular contact with representatives from Whitehall departments, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as the devolved governments. JESP continues to lead cross-government efforts in preparation and readiness for the 2026 elections, including those to the Senedd Cymru.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate she has made of the total percentage change in local economic growth funding for Wales between the final year of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the first three years of the Local Growth Fund.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.
My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.
Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.
The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.
This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer has provided guidance to her Department on the split between revenue and capital funding for the Local Growth Fund in devolved nations.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.
My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.
Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.
The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.
This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether she has made an assessment of lessons learned from previous short-term capital schemes, including Levelling Up Fund projects, when designing the Local Growth Fund.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.
My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.
Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.
The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.
This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with HM Treasury regarding the suitability of short-term capital funding windows for local economic development programmes in Wales.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.
My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.
Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.
The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.
This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether she has considered allowing a greater proportion of Local Growth Fund spending to be allocated to revenue rather than capital activities in order to maintain continuity of support for local businesses and workers.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.
My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.
Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.
The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.
This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether UK Shared Prosperity Fund revenue-funded programmes in Welsh local authorities will be maintained via the Local Growth Fund.
Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.
My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.
Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.
The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.
This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.