Wales Office

Transport for Wales published the Wales Rail Board’s vision for rail enhancements on 18 February. Transport for Wales estimates that the total cost of schemes under consideration to be up to £14 billion, and the UK Government has endorsed this vision. This joint plan with the Welsh Government establishes a framework for a comprehensive pipeline of enhancements and confirms the UK Government and Welsh Government will work in partnership to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible. This is a generational commitment to modernise Welsh rail and further UK Government funding allocations will be confirmed at future Spending Reviews.

This commitment began at the Spending Review in June 2025, when the Chancellor announced that the UK Government will allocate at least £445 million to rail enhancements in Wales, the vast majority of which will be spent during this Spending Review period. This will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, including five of the Burns Stations - connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales. This includes £48 million for the Welsh Government to deliver upgrades on the Core Valley Lines.

With regard to Cardiff Parkway, the UK Government has agreed an approach with the Welsh Government and private investors to take the project forward, with additional UK Government funding made available to deliver the station. The exact funding contribution from each partner and timeline for the station’s delivery will depend on subsequent development work.

UK and Welsh Government have worked with the North Wales Growth Deal, Ambition North Wales, who have agreed to co-fund the improvements to the main line arrangements into the Padeswood cement works freight facility. This will provide a seamless movement for freight trains off the main line and into the cement works rather than the time-consuming current movements. This funding will enable UK Government to use its existing funding agreed at the Spending Review to take forward further schemes on this line, including an additional station to service Deeside Industrial Park, and safety, capacity and line speed improvements at Buckley.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: Prime Minister announces seven new stations and major rail funding commitment - GOV.UK

Transport for Wales published the Wales Rail Board’s vision for rail enhancements on 18 February. Transport for Wales estimates that the total cost of schemes under consideration to be up to £14 billion, and the UK Government has endorsed this vision. This joint plan with the Welsh Government establishes a framework for a comprehensive pipeline of enhancements and confirms the UK Government and Welsh Government will work in partnership to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible. This is a generational commitment to modernise Welsh rail and further UK Government funding allocations will be confirmed at future Spending Reviews.

This commitment began at the Spending Review in June 2025, when the Chancellor announced that the UK Government will allocate at least £445 million to rail enhancements in Wales, the vast majority of which will be spent during this Spending Review period. This will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, including five of the Burns Stations, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales. With regard to Cardiff Parkway, the UK Government has agreed an approach with the Welsh Government and private investors to take the project forward, with additional UK Government funding made available to deliver the station. The exact funding contribution from each partner and timeline for the station’s delivery will depend on subsequent development work.

UK and Welsh Government have worked with the North Wales Growth Deal, Ambition North Wales, who have agreed to co-fund the improvements to the main line arrangements into the Padeswood cement works freight facility. This will provide a seamless movement for freight trains off the main line and into the cement works rather than the time-consuming current movements.

This funding will enable UK Government to use its existing funding agreed at the Spending Review to take forward further schemes on this line, including an additional station to service Deeside Industrial Park, and safety, capacity and line speed improvements at Buckley.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: Prime Minister announces seven new stations and major rail funding commitment - GOV.UK

The Wales Rail Board has developed its long-term vision for rail enhancement investment in Wales, which was published last week by Transport for Wales as part of its document titled ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together: A Vision for Wales across Wales and Borders’.

The Wales Rail Board is an intergovernmental board that will oversee the delivery of this pipeline of projects. Its membership includes the Wales Office, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Welsh Government and Transport for Wales.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: Prime Minister announces seven new stations and major rail funding commitment - GOV.UK

Heavy rail is reserved in Wales, so Barnett consequentials do not apply to its funding.

The UK Government is working in partnership with the Welsh Government and industry stakeholders to fund and deliver improvements to rail in Wales as quickly as possible.

Transport for Wales published the Wales Rail Board’s vision for rail enhancements on 18 February. Transport for Wales estimates that the total cost of schemes under consideration to be up to £14 billion, and the UK Government has endorsed this vision. This joint plan with the Welsh Government establishes a framework for a comprehensive pipeline of enhancements and confirms the UK Government and Welsh Government will work in partnership to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible. This is a generational commitment to modernise Welsh rail and further UK Government funding allocations will be confirmed at future Spending Reviews.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: Prime Minister announces seven new stations and major rail funding commitment - GOV.UK

My Department does not employ any HR Directors; However, my Department’s Chief People Officer has responsibility for overseeing Human Resources and holds professional HR qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

My Department works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Welsh Government to deliver for the people of Wales across a range of shared priorities.

The National Year of Reading, a DfE initiative, aims to address long-term declines in reading enjoyment through engaging new audiences, reshaping public attitudes and building the systems needed to embed lasting, meaningful change, during 2026 and beyond. The National Year of Reading includes a major physical and online marketing campaign, as well as exciting events, webinars, resources, and activities in communities, libraries, schools, and early years settings throughout the year.

In Wales, the bilingual campaign will build on work already underway to support schools, learners and families, to improve literacy standards and nurture a lasting habit of enjoying reading. The campaign will encourage people to ‘Go all in’/ Ymgolli’ and enjoy reading. The National Year of Reading offers further opportunity to celebrate and promote the love of reading in both English and Welsh, showcasing the rich linguistic landscape and encouraging more people to discover, enjoy and engage with literature in the language of their choice.

As Education is devolved, the Welsh Government is working with partners such as schools, local authorities, public libraries, and community groups across Wales to promote a love of reading and deliver a campaign to nurture lifelong reading habits. These partners play a vital role in the campaign and will take part in events across the year to showcase the joy of reading to people of all ages. The campaign also aligns with Estyn’s enhanced focus on reading, which will see the inspectorate working with all education providers to prioritise improving the reading skills of all learners in Wales.

Staff in my Department are employed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), which provides payroll services on our behalf.

The MoJ does not currently operate a payroll‑deduction facility for credit union membership, however, staff who wish to join a credit union can already do so independently. My department continues to support staff financial wellbeing through the MoJ’s wider financial wellbeing offer, which provides access to information, tools, and advice.

I have regular discussions with Welsh Government Ministers on a range of issues, including this Government’s historic investment in Welsh rail.

The UK Government has announced at least £445 million for rail enhancements in Wales, to right years of underfunding by previous Conservative Governments and unleash Wales’ economic potential.

This will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales.

The UK Government will set out more detail on the pipeline of projects that we will deliver very shortly.

The UK Government has announced at least £445 million for rail enhancements in Wales, to right years of underfunding by previous Conservative Governments and unleash Wales’ economic potential.

The vast majority of this investment will be spent in this Spending Review period, with a small amount profiled beyond this Spending Review period to help the development of the next set of projects.

This will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales.

The UK Government will set out more detail on the pipeline of projects that we will deliver very shortly.

Estimated Operations, Maintenance and Renewals (OMR) expenditure for Wales during Control Period (CP) 7 is broken down as follows:

2024-25 - £502 million

2025-26 - £447 million

2026-27 - £503 million

2027-28 - £499 million

2028-29 - £487 million

In addition to this, the UK Government has announced at least £445 million for rail enhancements in Wales, to right years of underfunding by previous Conservative Governments and unleash Wales’ economic potential.

This will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales.

The UK Government will set out more detail on the pipeline of projects that we will deliver very shortly.

The UK Government has announced at least £445 million for rail enhancements in Wales, to right years of underfunding by previous Conservative Governments and unleash Wales’ economic potential. The vast majority of this investment will be spent in this Spending Review period.

This investment will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales.

The UK Government will set out more detail on the pipeline of projects that we will deliver very shortly.

The Secretary of State for Wales and her Cabinet colleagues engage with Welsh Ministers frequently on a wide range of issues, including the future of devolution in key policy areas. Established intergovernmental mechanisms also provide ongoing opportunities for the UK and Welsh Governments to engage on matters relating to policing, and to ensure that Welsh priorities are fully considered within the existing devolution settlement.

The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a range of issues, including the Welsh devolution settlement. It is in our shared interests that the settlement clearly defines the responsibilities of our respective governments and that it delivers for the people of Wales.

I have regular discussions with Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of policy issues, including on the devolution settlement. Unlike Plaid Cymru, who wish to force their costly, separatist ideology on the people of Wales, Labour is the party of devolution. We created devolution, we defend devolution from parties who wish to destroy it, and we will always update the devolution settlement to ensure it delivers the best outcomes for people and communities across Wales.

The Wales Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.

Labour is the party of devolution in Wales and Westminster. The Secretary of State for Wales and her Cabinet colleagues engage with Welsh Ministers frequently on a wide range of issues, including the future of devolution in key policy areas. This engagement is part of our reset relationship with the Welsh Government based on co-operation and partnership, through which we can achieve and deliver more for people in Wales.

Labour is the party of devolution in Wales and Westminster. I and all UK Government ministers engage with the Welsh Ministers frequently on a wide range of issues, including the future of devolution in key policy areas. This engagement is part of our reset relationship with the Welsh Government based on co-operation and partnership, through which we can achieve and deliver more for people in Wales.

The cost to the public purse is zero as the Department has not undertaken any feasibility studies in the last five years.

The Welsh Government’s Visitor Levy could raise up to £33 million a year to reinvest in local communities and support tourism, reflecting the strength of the sector.

We have announced that a similar overnight levy will be introduced in England, building on the example set by Wales.

Family farms and the wider agricultural sector play a vital role across our communities. I'm pleased that this Government has been able to deliver the largest funding settlement to Welsh Government to enable them to support our farming communities.

This Government is investing to unlock growth, create jobs and improve the cost of living.

We are creating thousands of jobs in every corner of Wales. This includes huge investment into new nuclear power in Wylfa, two new AI Growth Zones, a Defence Growth Deal, two Freeports, two Investment Zones, and investment into our semiconductor sector in South Wales.

I have regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the cost of living in Wales. We took decisive action in the budget by scrapping the Two Child Limit, extending the fuel duty freeze, uprating the Universal Credit Standard Allowance and increasing the State Pension.

This was a Labour budget, with Labour values at its heart. We are determined to do whatever it takes to improve the cost of living for families across Wales.

Digital Identity policy is in development, with a dedicated team inside the Cabinet Office working to develop the proposals.

Costs in this Spending Review period will be met within the existing Spending Review settlements.

We are inviting the public to have their say in the upcoming consultation as we develop a safe, secure, and inclusive system for the UK. No final decisions will be made until after the consultation.

The Government is following the process to assess the Welsh Government’s proposal for an exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act as set out in the UK Internal Market Act Review published in July 2025. The Government has been engaging with stakeholders to gather evidence and feedback on the impact of the proposal on the UK internal market in order to inform its response to the Welsh Government’s proposal. The Government is working at pace to be able to communicate its position within the Resources & Waste Common Framework, in line with the processes set out in the 2025 Review.

Over the last three financial years, the department spent the following on advertising:

2023-24: Nil

2024-25: £20,248.40

2025-26 to date: £26,751.60

The advertising spend was on the UK Government campaign to promote the availability of the UK Government and Tata Steel Transition Board funding. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the support available to steelworkers affected by the decarbonisation transition at Tata Steel UK in Port Talbot, including access to skills funding for those leaving the business. It also highlighted funding opportunities for local businesses impacted by the transition.

There has been no spend on marketing during this period.

My Department supports growth by working closely with the Department of Business and Trade and the Welsh Government to attract private investment, helping business to grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across Wales. Many businesses supported by this Government in Wales operate across Wales and England, particularly in border areas including Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The recently expanded Office for Investment works with local areas, leveraging public finance from institutions like the National Wealth Fund and the British Business Bank, to deliver strategic investments, aligned with the 10-year Infrastructure and Industrial strategies.

This Government is investing in the infrastructure needed to boost growth across the Wales/England border region, including the approval of the M54-M6 link road.

Due to the difficulty of disaggregating the number of staff who are employed to produce social media content from staff who are employed to work on broader digital communications, it is not possible to report exact figures in response to this question.

My Department does not employ any Civil Servants on temporary contracts and there are no consultants in my Department.

Information on the number of civil servants employed on temporary contracts in my Department is published quarterly by the Office for National Statistics as part of the quarterly Public Sector Employment statistics. Information can be accessed for September 2025 at the following web address:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/september2025

Departmental expenditure on consultancy is published within the Annual Report and Accounts. The latest report for FY 2024/25 can be found at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wales-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-25

The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). Programmes set out in the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy are being funded from within existing unallocated budgets. The Barnett formula has already been applied in the normal way to funding previously allocated at Spending Review 2025.

Spending Review 2025 provided the Welsh Government with their largest spending review settlements in real terms since devolution in 1998. As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDELex and £185 million CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of these record settlements.

The Government recognises the importance of the effective and timely handling of written parliamentary questions (PQs).

The Wales Office answered 100% of Ordinary Written and Named Day questions within the required timescales between May 2025 and November 2025.

The House of Commons Procedure Committee monitors departmental PQ performance and publishes a report of the government’s consolidated PQ data following the end of each session.

There are currently no direct ministerial appointments at the Wales Office.

The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a range of issues, including the Welsh Government’s project to establish a public sector laboratory for the supply of medical radioisotopes at the Trawsfynydd site in Gwynedd.

The UK Government continues to engage with the Welsh Government on the opportunities this proposal could create for Wales.

The Barnett formula has been applied in the normal way to changes in UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL). Spending Review 2025 provided the Welsh Government with their largest spending review settlements in real terms since devolution. As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDELex and £185 million CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of these record settlements. This means the Welsh Government’s settlement continues to grow in real terms between 2024-25 and 2028-29.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The Government is investing in the future of our children and introducing a fundamental change by removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit, benefitting 69,000 children in Wales. This comes alongside a package of measures that will drive down working poverty by raising the minimum wage, creating more secure jobs by strengthening rights at work.

The Strategy builds on the reform plans already underway across government and the important work underway in Welsh Government. We are committed to continued collaboration with the Welsh Government to tackle child poverty across Wales, particularly through the implementation phase that will now follow.

The Wales Office Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) over the Spending Review is shown below:

The Department does not have capital programmes. The capital DEL is to cover the purchase of office equipment.

*The 2025-26 Capital DEL includes £0.945m for a change in valuation of the Departments building leases resulting from a technical accounting adjustment to comply with HM Treasury Consolidated Budgeting guidance.

I have regular discussions with the Transport Secretary on a range of issues.

Services and rolling stock on the line between Aberystwyth and Birmingham, via Telford, are the responsibility of Transport for Wales and my officials engage regularly with colleagues in Transport for Wales.

The UK Government is investing at least £445 million into Welsh rail to right years of underfunding by previous governments and unleash Wales’ economic potential.

This will mean new stations, more and faster trains across Wales, improving cross border connectivity, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales and cross border areas.

Through the Pride in Place Programme, nine more communities in Wales will receive up to £20 million each over the next 10 years. Every local authority in Wales will also receive a share of £34.5 million through the Pride in Place Impact Fund. This £214 million investment will support communities to drive forward the changes they want to see and will deliver visible improvements to drive growth, break down barriers to opportunity, and restore pride and confidence in local areas.

The nine local authorities in Wales receiving funding under the Pride in Place Programme are currently in the process of identifying the places within their area that will serve as the focus for this investment. This process combines objective data on local need with engagement from the local community and strategic alignment with other investments such as the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme and other placemaking plans. The selected places will be confirmed early in the new year.

In the last financial year, the Office spent no money on LinkedIn membership fees and £3,332.48 on other subscriptions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.