Wales Office

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales supports the Welsh Secretary and the Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State in promoting the best interests of Wales within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Welsh interests are represented at the heart of the UK Government and the UK Government’s responsibilities are represented in Wales.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Humphreys (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Wales)

Scottish National Party
Richard Thomson (SNP - Gordon)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Wales)

Labour
Jo Stevens (Lab - Cardiff Central)
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

Liberal Democrat
Sarah Green (LD - Chesham and Amersham)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Wales)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Labour
Gerald Jones (Lab - Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)
Shadow Minister (Wales)
Jessica Morden (Lab - Newport East)
Shadow Minister (Wales)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Fay Jones (Con - Brecon and Radnorshire)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
Scheduled Event
Wednesday 8th May 2024
11:30
Wales Office
Oral questions - Main Chamber
8 May 2024, 11:30 a.m.
Wales
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Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 13th March 2024
16:40
Select Committee Inquiry
Friday 18th August 2023
Prisons in Wales

The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all of the following areas: 

  • How has the situation facing prisoners and …
Written Answers
Thursday 14th March 2024
Wales Office: Domestic Visits
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the destinations were of domestic overnight visits undertaken by Ministers within …
Secondary Legislation
None available
Bills
Tuesday 7th June 2016
Wales Act 2017
A Bill to amend the Government of Wales Act 2006 and the Wales Act 2014 and to make provision about …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 1st February 2024
16:11

Wales Office Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Mar. 13
Oral Questions
Mar. 05
Westminster Hall
Sep. 19
Adjournment Debate
View All Wales Office Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Wales Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2019 Parliament

Wales Office has not passed any Acts during the 2019 Parliament

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
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Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
45,134 Signatures
(275 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
621 Signatures
(3 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
53 Signatures
(1 in the last 7 days)
Wales Office has not participated in any petition debates
View All Wales Office Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Welsh Affairs Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Welsh Affairs Committee
Stephen Crabb Portrait
Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Welsh Affairs Committee Chair since 27th January 2020
Beth Winter Portrait
Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Jamie Wallis Portrait
Jamie Wallis (Conservative - Bridgend)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Rob Roberts Portrait
Rob Roberts (Independent - Delyn)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Robin Millar Portrait
Robin Millar (Conservative - Aberconwy)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Ben Lake Portrait
Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Geraint Davies Portrait
Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Virginia Crosbie Portrait
Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Simon Baynes Portrait
Simon Baynes (Conservative - Clwyd South)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Ruth Jones Portrait
Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 15th June 2020
Tonia Antoniazzi Portrait
Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Welsh Affairs Committee Member since 22nd January 2024
Welsh Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
Brexit and trade: implications for Wales The Dunlop Review and the UK Government’s union capability Freeports and Wales The Welsh economy and Covid-19 Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund Brexit: Agriculture, Trade and the repatriation of powers inquiry The Cancellation of Rail Electrification in South Wales inquiry Broadcasting in Wales follow-up: S4C funding Agriculture in Wales post-Brexit inquiry Applications by Welsh pupils to Oxford and Cambridge Universities The future of the Severn River crossings inquiry The future of nuclear power in Wales inquiry The steel industry in Wales inquiry Welsh rates of income tax inquiry Devolution: Lessons for Wales inquiry Wales and Borders rail franchise inquiry Implications for Wales of the EU referendum result inquiry Police and Crime Commissioner Elections inquiry S4C review inquiry Brexit, trade and customs: implications for Wales inquiry Renewable energy in Wales inquiry Devolution of Air Passenger Duty to Wales inquiry Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales inquiry Prison provision in Wales inquiry City Deals and Growth Deals in Wales inquiry Wales and the Armed Forces inquiry Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station inquiry The proposed closure of Ford's Bridgend plant inquiry Work of the Police and Crime Commissioners Energy generation in Wales: Shale Gas The Severn Crossings Toll: follow up Implications for Wales of the Government's Proposals for Constitutional Reform The future of the Newport Passport office S4C Inward investment in Wales Organ Donation (Legislative Competence) Broadband in Wales Cross-border Road and Rail Connectivity The Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales Support for Armed Forces Veterans in Wales The impact of changes to housing benefit in Wales The Voluntary Code of Practice in the dairy sector The Work Programme in Wales Dairy Farmers in Wales inquiry Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales evidence sessions Broadcasting in Wales inquiry Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Wales Bill inquiry Prisons in Wales and treatment of Welsh offenders inquiry Cross-border health arrangements between England and Wales International Representation and Promotion of Wales by UK bodies Silk Commission Part II: devolving legislative powers to Wales Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Wales Bill Nuclear power in Wales Broadcasting in Wales Floating Offshore Wind in Wales Water quality in Wales Defence industry in Wales University research funding Transport in Wales Prisons in Wales Impact of population change in Wales Renewable energy in Wales Railway Infrastructure in Wales Devolution of Air Passenger Duty to Wales Brexit, trade and customs: implications for Wales The proposed closure of Ford's Bridgend plant City Deals and Growth Deals in Wales Prison provision in Wales Renewable energy in Wales S4C review Wales and the Armed Forces Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the destinations were of domestic overnight visits undertaken by Ministers within their Department in each of the last three financial years.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to UIN 17534 on 13 March 2024.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many domestic overnight visits were undertaken by Ministers within his Department in each of the last three financial years; and what the cost to the public purse was of these visits.

The Government publishes on GOV.UK details of the cost of overseas Ministerial travel, including costs of travel, and on other costs (visas, accommodation, meals). But as has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not publish granular detail on Ministers’ travel at home or abroad.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
6th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what directives or guidelines they have issued to the Welsh Government in relation to overseas initiatives on matters related to devolved responsibilities.

The FCDO remains fully committed to working collaboratively with the Welsh Government and other Devolved Administrations on overseas initiatives which may support the delivery of devolved policy objectives. The FCDO has developed internal guidance to ensure that the foreign affairs reservation is respected, including requiring a UK Government official to be present at meetings between devolved ministers and ministers of foreign governments.

Since April 2023, the FCDO has supported over 15 overseas visits by Welsh Government Ministers. International activity undertaken by each of the Devolved Administrations will continue to be supported appropriately by Posts.

Lord Harlech
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the strength of the Union.

Our United Kingdom has never been stronger.

This Government is championing the Welsh contribution to our shared strength and prosperity, including announcing two Investment Zones for Wales, worth £160 million each. They will boost productivity, support high-priority jobs and level up the economy in Wrexham and Flintshire Cardiff and Newport.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the future of the steelmaking industry in Wales?

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of subjects, including steelmaking in Wales.

This Government is investing £500 million into steelmaking at Port Talbot. This will protect 5,000 steel jobs and thousands more in the supply chain whilst increasing our economic security.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their personal capacity, (b) their official position and (c) both since 19 December 2019.

As per paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code, it is not possible to disclose whether Law Officers have or have not provided advice on such matters. Paragraph 2.13 states: “The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised, and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority”.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential application of new geographical indications for Welsh food and drink products in Japan.

As Secretary of State for Wales, I am proud to promote protected Welsh products, and was delighted to celebrate Single Malt Welsh Whisky on a recent visit to India.

I was also pleased to see that on 29 February 2024, 37 Geographical Indications received protected status in Japan, including famed products such as Welsh Lamb, Anglesey Sea Salt, Conwy Mussels, Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes, Traditional Welsh Caerphilly, Welsh Beef, Welsh Laverbread and Welsh Wine joining the seven GIs already protected in our agreement.

The UK Government is continuing work to secure protection for further products. The GI additions have been split into two tranches running in parallel to aid processing time, and officials will continue work to finalise the completion of UK and Japanese processes for the second and final tranche.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the average level of staff attendance has been at the UK Government hub in Cardiff, Tŷ William Morgan in each month since December 2022.

The Wales Office does not hold data on average levels of staff attendance for UK Government departments and agencies, and other public bodies, based in the UK Government hub in Ty William Morgan, Cardiff.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what guidance his Department issues on the use of WhatsApp.

All Departments in central government, including arms-length bodies apply the published guidance: Using non-corporate communication channels (e.g. WhatsApp, private email, SMS) for government business published by Cabinet Office in March 2023. It applies to all individuals in central government (ministers, special advisers, officials, contractors, non-executive board members and independent experts advising ministers). The Wales Office uses the central guidance and has applied it since March 2023.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what reports and guidance their Department has produced in the last three years; and how much was spent on their (a) printing and (b) distribution.

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) produced the following reports during the last three years.

Financial Year

Reports Produced

Spend on Printing and Distribution* (£)

2021-22

OSSW Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21

3,420.30

2021-22

The UK Government’s Sixth Annual Report on the Implementation and Operation of Part 2 (Finance) of the Wales Act 2014

2,593.58

2022-23

OSSW Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22

1,245.99

2023-24 to date

OSSW Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23

1,200.61

*The Department outsources its printing and the invoices received do not split the costs between printing and distribution.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
27th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department (a) paid in apprenticeship levy fees and (b) spent from its apprenticeship levy funds between September 2021 and August 2023.

Nothing. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales does not employ staff directly. Our staff are employed by the Ministry of Justice.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
29th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding his Department has (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on advertising in each of the last three financial years.

Nothing. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) has not budgeted or spent any money on advertising in the last three financial years.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
28th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding his Department (a) allocated for (b) spent on magazine subscriptions in each of the last three financial years.

Nothing. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) has not allocated or spent any money on subscriptions to magazines in the last three financial years.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
27th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, which (a) newspapers, (b) magazines and (c) online journals his Department subscribed to in each of the last three financial years.

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) subscribed to the following newspapers, magazines and online journals in the last three financial years.

Financial Year

Subscription

2021-22

The Times, The Financial Times, The Telegraph and The Western Mail.

2022-23

The Times, The Financial Times, The Telegraph and GOLWG

2023-24 to date

The Times, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, GOLWG and The Spectator

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
26th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many and what proportion of digital posts in his Department are vacant.

There are currently no vacant digital posts in the Wales Office.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
22nd Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether any non-executive directors employed in his Department are non-domiciled.

Non-executive’s personal data, including those relating to personal taxation or status, are protected by the UK General Data Protection Regulation. Collection of personal data on non-dom status is not routinely collected and is generally not required for making public appointments. If any such data was held it could only be published if doing so was in compliance with data protection law.

Non-executive board members are not employees of the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales and act in an advisory capacity.

Data relating to public appointments are covered by the Public Appointments Privacy Statement found here https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/privacy.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
22nd Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department has (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on software updates to legacy computer systems in each of the last three financial years.

Nothing. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales does not have any legacy computer systems.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in his Department; and what the salary band is for each post.

The Wales Office Communications team is made up of eight employees, two of whom make up the Press and Media team.

Roles range from grades Executive Officer (EO) to Senior Civil Service (SCS1) and have salaries between £27,223 - £28,613 and £75,000 - £117,800.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
7th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 January 2024 during the debate on Protecting Steel in the UK, Official Report, column 265, whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned an independent assessment of the potential merits of the multi-union plan for steel production at Port Talbot.

Tata Steel are now conducting a formal consultation period with staff regarding the company’s proposed £1.25bn project to transition to greener steelmaking at Port Talbot.

Prior to this, Tata Steel have been discussing Union’s alternative proposals with them for several months. Ultimately, this is a commercial decision for Tata Steel and engagement with trade unions has always been a process that must be led by the employer.

We are working with Tata Steel to provide up to £100m funding for a dedicated Transition Board, which I chair and includes members from the Welsh Government, to support both affected employees and the local economy.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
8th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether all (a) buildings and (b) workplaces staff from their Department occupy have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

All buildings and workplaces occupied by staff from my Department have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 in place.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
31st Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times since taking office the Prime Minister has met the First Minister of Wales; and whether the Prime Minister plans to meet the current First Minister before the latter’s retirement.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1907 on 1 February 2024. I also refer the Noble Lord to my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister’s comments about the First Minister’s retirement at Prime Minister’s Questions on 13 December 2023. Details of the Prime Minister’s future official meetings and visits will be announced in the usual way.

Baroness Swinburne
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
30th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many ministerial red boxes belonging to his Department have been reported (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last three years.

None.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
30th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of the Welsh Government on the levels of public awareness of (a) the role and (b) competencies of physician associates in the NHS in Wales.

I have regular discussions with Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of issues. As a devolved matter, it is for the Welsh Government to consider the operational deployment of the role of physician associates (PAs) within the NHS workforce in Wales.

The UK Government greatly values the work of physician associates (PAs) and is introducing regulation as part of our commitment to the roles and to their place in the multi-disciplinary workforce.

The regulation of PAs which is a reserved matter has been subject to extensive public consultation over several years. Throughout the project, UK Government officials have engaged thoroughly with stakeholders including regulators, the devolved administrations, the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, representative bodies and service users in developing the policy behind this legislation. This engagement has been crucial in shaping both UK Government policy intention and the resultant legislation, to ensure that it remains a practical piece of legislation for the benefit of patient safety and registrants.

Regulation will give the GMC responsibility and oversight of PAs, allowing it to take a holistic approach to education, training, and standards. Once regulation commences, GMC guidance will apply to PAs.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
24th Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister last visited Senedd Cymru, and on how many occasions during 2023 he had discussions in person with the First Minister of Wales.

The Prime Minister visits all parts of the United Kingdom regularly.

Details of official visits can be found on the gov.uk website as part of the government’s transparency agenda. The Prime Minister also undertakes party political visits across the United Kingdom.

The Secretary of State for Wales, the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and the Prime Minister undertake constructive engagement with the Welsh Government and the Senedd Cymru, with relevant meetings as appropriate. Details of future official visits will be announced in the usual way.

Baroness Swinburne
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what targets his Department has set to help achieve the Government's commitments on net zero.

The Government set out how we would meet our commitments in the Net Zero Strategy in 2021 which included a detailed breakdown of actions required across all sectors of the economy. This was updated in 2023 through the publication of 'Powering Up Britain'.

The UK has halved its emissions, ahead of every other major economy, and we have grown our economy by over 70% since 1990. The UK over-achieved against the first and second carbon budgets, and the latest projections show that we are on track to meet the third.

We have one of the most ambitious decarbonisation targets in the world, and we have set more stretching targets for 2030 than most countries. We plan to cut emissions by 68% by 2030, which is more than the EU, Japan or the United States.

Fay Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
18th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on (a) the cost of living and (b) food poverty in (i) Newport West constituency and (ii) Wales.

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of issues, including the cost of living.

The UK Government has provided extensive support to Newport West. This includes Cost of Living payments for around 13,100 eligible households totalling up to £900 per household. Furthermore, around 240,000 payments have been delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The UK Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures and consequently has provided unprecedented levels of support to families across the UK. Measures announced at the Autumn Statement mean the UK Government will spend £104 billion between 2022 and 2025 to help families with the cost of living, which is an average of £3,700 per UK household. Owing to the cut in National Insurance tax from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit from an annual gain of £324.

Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to help people with the cost of living.

Although housing is a devolved matter, the UK Government is supporting low-income households, by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lower 30% of local rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
18th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales.

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of issues, including the cost of living.

The UK Government has provided extensive support to Newport West. This includes Cost of Living payments for around 13,100 eligible households totalling up to £900 per household. Furthermore, around 240,000 payments have been delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The UK Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures and consequently has provided unprecedented levels of support to families across the UK. Measures announced at the Autumn Statement mean the UK Government will spend £104 billion between 2022 and 2025 to help families with the cost of living, which is an average of £3,700 per UK household. Owing to the cut in National Insurance tax from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit from an annual gain of £324.

Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to help people with the cost of living.

Although housing is a devolved matter, the UK Government is supporting low-income households, by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lower 30% of local rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
18th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Trussell Trust on (a) the cost of living and (b) food poverty in (i) Newport West constituency and (ii) Wales.

I have not had any recent discussions with the Trussell Trust on these topics. However, in my role as Secretary of State for Wales, I regularly meet with stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues such as the cost of living.

The UK Government has provided extensive support to Newport West. This includes Cost of Living payments for around 13,100 eligible households totalling up to £900 per household. Furthermore, around 240,000 payments have been delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The UK Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures and consequently has provided unprecedented levels of support to families across the UK. Measures announced at the Autumn Statement mean the UK Government will spend £104 billion between 2022 and 2025 to help families with the cost of living, which is an average of £3,700 per UK household. Owing to the cut in National Insurance from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit from an annual gain of £324 back.

Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to help people with the cost of living.

Although housing is a devolved matter, the UK Government is supporting low-income households by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lower 30% of local rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much and what proportion of the £100 million fund overseen by the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board has been spent.

The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has been set up to support those affected by Tata Steel’s decarbonisation Transition and will be supported by up to £100 million from UK Government and Tata Steel. Decisions on investment will happen once the consultation has concluded and there is an understanding of what the impact of Tata Steel’s decarbonisation plans will be.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish the terms of reference of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.

The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has been set up to support those affected by Tata Steel’s decarbonisation Transition and will be supported by up to £100 million from UK Government and Tata Steel. The terms of reference of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board have been published on the Neath Port Talbot Council website and are available here: Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board - Terms of reference – Neath Port Talbot Council (npt.gov.uk).

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish the minutes of future meetings of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.

The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has been set up to support those affected by Tata Steel’s decarbonisation Transition and will be supported by up to £100 million from UK Government and Tata Steel. I chair the Board, with the Minister for the Economy of Wales and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up acting as deputy chairs. The Board’s membership also consists of representatives from Neath Port Talbot Council, Tata Steel, the local Member of Parliament and Member of the Senedd. Trade Union representatives also attend as observers of the Board meetings.

In order to facilitate open dialogue on sensitive issues, the minutes of previous meetings have not been published but Joint Statements are published after each meeting which summarise the topics discussed and who was in attendance. This approach will be adopted for future meetings.


David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish the minutes of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board meetings in (a) October and (b) November 2023.

The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has been set up to support those affected by Tata Steel’s decarbonisation Transition and will be supported by up to £100 million from UK Government and Tata Steel. I chair the Board, with the Minister for the Economy of Wales and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up acting as deputy chairs. The Board’s membership also consists of representatives from Neath Port Talbot Council, Tata Steel, the local Member of Parliament and Member of the Senedd. Trade Union representatives also attend as observers of the Board meetings.

In order to facilitate open dialogue on sensitive issues, the minutes are not published but Joint Statements are published after each meeting which summarise the topics discussed and who was in attendance.

The first joint statement is available here: Statement on behalf of the Tata Steel/ Port Talbot Transition Board - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The second joint statement is available here: Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board Statement - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has met monthly.

The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has been set up to support those affected by Tata Steel’s decarbonisation Transition and will be supported by up to £100 million from UK Government and Tata Steel. From that funding, £80 million is provided by the UK Government and £20 million will be provided by Tata.

I chair the Board, and it had its inaugural meeting on 19 October 2023, and the Board reconvened for its second meeting on 30 November 2023. The third Board meeting will be held on 1 February 2024. The Board will continue to meet regularly, to help ensure that those who are affected are receiving the support that they need. Both of the sub-groups held their first official meetings the week commencing 22 January 2024.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
18th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the time taken to process claims to the Windrush Compensation Scheme from people in Wales.

I have regular discussions with Home Office ministers on a range of issues and I recognise the contribution of the Windrush Generation to Wales. I was pleased to meet the Windrush Cymru Elders at the Mission Seafarers in Newport on 31 October 2023.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme is determined to ensure everyone who was affected receives every penny of the compensation to which they are entitled at the earliest point possible. The scheme is making significant progress towards achieving this aim. As of the end of November 2023, the scheme had paid over £75 million in compensation and over 78% of claims received had been given a final decision.

The time to allocate a claim for a substantive casework consideration has been reduced significantly, from 18 months to under 4 months. The 4 month period includes all essential eligibility checks, together with a Preliminary Assessment to make an initial payment of £10,000 wherever possible.

However, each person’s claim is deeply personal and deserves to be processed with the utmost care and sensitivity so that the maximum payment can be made to them.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many equalities impact assessments his Department completed in each of the last five years for which data is available.

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (the Duty) all public authorities, including Government departments, are required by law to ensure that they have due regard to certain equality considerations when carrying out their functions. While ‘equality impact assessments’ may be produced, there is no legal requirement for duty assessments to be recorded in a specific format.

We do not centrally monitor assessments in this area but are confident that we are meeting the Duty in our decision-making processes.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with hospitality businesses in Wales on commercial energy costs.

My officials and I regularly meet with businesses across Wales, including those in the hospitality sector, to discuss a variety of issues.

The Government provided an unprecedented package of support of £7.4 billion through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) which ended on 31 March 2023, shielding businesses and saving some around half of their wholesale energy cost.

The EBRS was replaced by the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), which provides support to all eligible non-domestic energy users paying the highest energy prices starting from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Since the scheme was introduced, wholesale energy prices have now fallen significantly, and inflation has fallen from its peak of 11.1% to 4%.

In addition, at Autumn Statement 2023, the government announced that it is freezing Climate Change Levy rates for 2025-26 to continue achieving CCL’s environmental objectives without increasing the impact to businesses’ energy bills.

The UK Government is providing further support to the hospitality sector by freezing alcohol duty until August 2024, and increasing the new Draught Relief duty from the initially proposed 5% to 9.2%. In addition, in England, we have extended the 75% relief on business rates available to hospitality, retail and leisure businesses. I am concerned about the impact of the cut to non-domestic rates relief for hospitality businesses proposed by the Welsh Government in their recent draft budget.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the payment of compensation to sub-postmasters in Wales affected by issues with the Horizon system.

The Government has already paid out over £153 million to over 2,700 victims. In the overturned convictions scheme, 95 convictions have been overturned, with 31 claimants agreeing full and final settlements. Over £33 million has been paid out to those with overturned convictions, which includes interim payments and partial settlements.

Of the original trailblazing postmasters in the “GLO” group who took the Post Office to court and exposed the Horizon Scandal, £27 million has been paid out to 477 claimants. The original 2,417 postmasters who claimed through the original Horizon Shortfall Scheme have now all had offers of compensation. Offers have totalled over £107m and over £93 million has been paid out in this scheme, with Post Office now dealing with late applications and with those cases where the initial offer was not accepted.

In the coming weeks, we will introduce new primary legislation to quash all convictions that were reliant on erroneous Horizon evidence. Once this legislation is passed, and convictions have been overturned, they will be entitled to at least £600,000 in compensation to rebuild their lives.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had discussions with the Welsh Government on the impact of increased rental costs on tenants in Wales.

Although housing is a devolved matter the UK Government is supporting renters in Wales by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lowest 30% of local market rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.

This significant investment, taken together with the wider benefits uprating, will improve housing affordability for low-income households on benefits renting in the private sector, helping them afford their rent and reducing the risk of rent arrears and homelessness.

More broadly, the UK Government and Welsh Government are working closely to apply the prohibition against Blanket Ban practices in Wales. Through the Renters (Reform) Bill we will achieve our shared objective to make sure families with children and people who receive benefits can access homes in the private rented sector.

Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to support people with the cost of living.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had discussions with the Welsh Government on the impact of increased rental costs on renters in Wales.

Although housing is a devolved matter the UK Government is supporting renters in Wales by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lowest 30% of local market rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.

This significant investment, taken together with the wider benefits uprating, will improve housing affordability for low-income households on benefits renting in the private sector, helping them afford their rent and reducing the risk of rent arrears and homelessness.

More broadly, the UK Government and Welsh Government are working closely to apply the prohibition against Blanket Ban practices in Wales. Through the Renters (Reform) Bill we will achieve our shared objective to make sure families with children and people who receive benefits can access homes in the private rented sector.

Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to support people with the cost of living.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the (a) membership and (b) remit is of the people, skills and business sub-group of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.

(a) Membership

The People, Skills and Business sub-group membership will include a wide range of people including Tata Steel representatives, business leaders, officials in the UK Government and the Welsh Government, employees of Neath Port Talbot Council and community representatives, including a regional Member of the Senedd. Trade Union representatives will also be invited.

(b) Remit

The People, Skills and Business sub-group is being established to provide immediate support for the people, businesses and communities directly affected by Tata Steel UK’s decarbonisation transition. The sub-group will operate beneath the Transition Board, to coordinate activity at a local level and report progress and challenges and make recommendations to the Transition Board.


David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the (a) membership and (b) remit is of the place and regeneration sub-group of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.

(a) Membership

The Place and Regeneration sub-group membership will include a wide range of people including Tata Steel representatives, business leaders, employees of the UK Government and the Welsh Government, employees of Neath Port Talbot Council and community representatives, including a regional Member of the Senedd. Trade Union representatives will also be invited.

(b) Remit

The Place and Regeneration sub-group will provide the Transition Board with advice on how to protect and grow the economic environment as a result of Tata Steel UK’s decarbonisation transition. They operate beneath the Transition Board, to coordinate activity at a local level and report progress and challenges and make recommendations to the Transition Board.

The Place and Regeneration sub-group will develop a Local Economic Action Plan that will provide the Transition Board with advice on how to ensure regeneration and economic growth for the local area for the next decade.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent estimate he has made of when the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board will receive recommendations on investment from the sub-groups.

The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board will start to receive recommendations on investments from the sub-groups after the formal consultation on the transition has begun. Decisions on investment will happen once the consultation has concluded and there is an understanding of what the impact of Tata Steel’s decarbonisation plans will be.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether representatives from trade unions were invited to attend the two meetings of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.

I invited Community, Unite and GMB trade union representatives to both of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board meetings that have taken place so far. There have been trade union representatives in attendance at both meetings.

I also met with the trade unions outside of the Transition Board and will continue to engage interested parties from trade unions, business and the communities affected.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has undertaken its review of the group’s terms of reference.

The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board reviewed and agreed the terms of reference at the inaugural Board meeting on Thursday 19 October 2023.

The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board has been established to provide advice on how to protect and grow the economic environment and to support and mitigate the impact on those workers, businesses and communities directly affected by Tata Steel UK decarbonisation transition.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport, (b) Network Rail and (c) the Welsh government on the electrification of the North Wales Main Line.

My officials and I have regular discussions with counterparts in the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Welsh Government on a wide range of transport matters across Wales.

The UK Government is committed to providing £1 billion to fund the electrification of the North Wales Main Line. This investment will have a transformative impact for the many residents, commuters and tourists who use the North Wales Main Line, driving economic growth across the region.

The Department for Transport is working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to develop and deliver on the Government priorities outlined in the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement, including electrification of the North Wales Main Line. The Government is currently considering next steps, including delivery timelines, and will share further information when this work is complete. All schemes will be subject to the development and approval of business cases and will undergo all formal governance, in line with relevant fiscal and legal duties.

The UK Government is already providing significant investment to improve rail infrastructure and travel in Wales, including £144 million for the Core Valley Lines, delivering the £76 million electrification of the Severn Tunnel and £77.7 million for improvements to Cardiff Central Station.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport and (b) Network Rail on the potential impact of Control Period 7 funding on (i) rail services and (ii) the condition of rail infrastructure in Wales.

My officials and I have regular discussions with counterparts in the Department for Transport and Network Rail on a wide range of transport matters in Wales.

Between 2024 and 2029, the UK Government will be providing a record £44.1 billion settlement for Network Rail in Control Period 7 across England and Wales. This £44.1 billion settlement is roughly a 4% increase in real terms when compared to the previous control period.

The UK Government is committed to improving rail infrastructure in Wales and has allocated £1 billion to electrify the North Wales Mainline, delivered the £76 million electrification of the Severn Tunnel, contributed £144 million to the upgrade of the Core Valley Lines and provided £77.7 million for improvements to Cardiff Central Station.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when the Tata Steel/ Port Talbot Transition Board will next meet.

The Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board plan to next meet on 1 February 2024.

I chair the Transition Board which was set up to support people, businesses and communities affected by Tata Steel’s decarbonisation transition. The Transition Board will have access to up to £100 million to invest in skills and regeneration programmes for the local area.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to provide for a referendum on the continuation of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

The UK Government has no plans to hold a referendum on the continuation of devolution in Wales. People in Wales voted in support of devolution in two referenda – in 1997 to establish the National Assembly for Wales and in 2011 to provide it with full law-making powers.

Rather than reopening the question of devolution via a referendum, I would encourage anyone unhappy with the laws being passed by the Senedd to make their voice heard through the ballot box at the next Senedd election.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps the Government is taking to protect the Welsh language.

The Welsh language is a devolved subject and the responsibility of Senedd Cymru / the Welsh Parliament and the Welsh Government. However, the UK Government is committed to supporting the promotion and use of the Welsh language, including the Welsh Government’s ambition for one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

As the UK’s major Welsh language broadcaster, S4C has played a unique and critical role in promoting the Welsh language and is a vital partner for UK Government. The UK Government’s commitment to promoting the Welsh language is reflected in S4C’s licence fee settlement, announced in January 2022; this provides a very strong settlement, with S4C initially receiving £88.8 million p.a. from April 2022, rising in line with inflation from April 2024. It also includes an additional £7.5 million p.a. to support S4C’s digital development, ensuring S4C’s offering remains sustainable in the digital age. Overall, this settlement delivers a 9% increase in funding for S4C.

Furthermore, as a fluent Welsh speaker and champion for the Welsh language, I personally take every opportunity to promote the language and communicate bilingually in my role. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales, as the lead department in UK Government for the Welsh language, works with other government departments to improve Welsh language provision, most notably through the official-level, cross-Government Welsh Language Forum.

David T C Davies
Secretary of State for Wales