Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings have taken place between the UK and Welsh governments since May 8 2026.

Answered by Lord Katz - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Since the formation of the new Welsh Government after the Senedd election in May 2026, UK Government ministers have engaged with their Welsh Government counterparts on matters within their areas of responsibility. This includes the Prime Minister’s initial engagement with the First Minister of Wales following his appointment on 20 July. The newly appointed Secretary of State for Wales will also have an early conversation with the First Minister.

The UK Government publishes an intergovernmental relations dashboard on GOV.UK detailing the number of ministerial meetings between the governments. Data for the number of meetings during the first two quarters of 2026 will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what in-person discussions they have had with businesses in the tourism sector to discuss the tourism tax.

Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of a visitor levy. The consultation has now closed, and a response will be published in due course.  The Government has engaged with businesses in the tourism sector throughout this process, including through in-person discussions.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost is of the new 400kV double circuit Blackhillock-Peterhead project.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates are developed and maintained by the relevant Transmission Owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost is of the Beauly-Denny 400kV uprating project.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates are developed and maintained by the relevant Transmission Owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the original estimated completion date was for the new 400kV double circuit Blackhillock-Peterhead project; and what the current estimated completion date is.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Transmission Owners (TOs) are licensed and regulated by Ofgem. While TOs are responsible for delivering transmission projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the original estimated completion date was for the East Coast Onshore 400kV Phase 2 project; and what the current estimated completion date is.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Transmission Owners (TOs) are licensed and regulated by Ofgem. While TOs are responsible for delivering transmission projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the original estimated completion date was for the Beauly-Denny 400kV uprating project; and what the current estimated completion date is.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Transmission Owners (TOs) are licensed and regulated by Ofgem. While TOs are responsible for delivering transmission projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost is of the East Coast Onshore 400kV Phase 2 project.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates are developed and maintained by the relevant Transmission Owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem.