Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any Barnett consequentials arising from the additional national insurance contributions for public service workers in England will cover all additional national insurance contributions for public service workers in Wales.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
In the Budget, the Chancellor provided funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions.
The Welsh Government will receive funding through the Barnett Formula in 2025-26 for any changes to UK Government department budgets, including support for Employer National Insurance Contributions. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.
This funding will be in addition to the Welsh Government’s record Spending Review settlement for 2025-26, which is the largest in real terms of any settlement since devolution.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving the Crown Estate.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK Government has had no discussions with the Welsh Government on devolving the Crown Estate.
The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term.
Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving the Crown Estate.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The UK Government has had no discussions with the Welsh Government on the devolving the Crown Estate, and has no plans to transfer responsibility of the Crown Estate to the Welsh Government.
The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term
Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much money the Treasury has collected in speeding fines imposed in Wales for each of the last five years.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
HM Treasury does not hold data on flows into the consolidated fund from speeding fines specifically, or receive any management information on fines across local areas.
Fixed penalty notices for motoring offences are overseen and administered by local police forces.