Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to commence section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 relating to political party candidate information; and if so, when.

Answered by Baroness Barran

The Government continues to keep section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 under review but remains of the view that political parties should lead the way in increasing diverse electoral representation through their own approaches to the selection of candidates.

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.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving justice and policing.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving broadcasting and communication.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from Welsh Ministers and the Welsh Language Commissioner in relation to the Private Parking Code of Practice to be published under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

The proposed Private Parking Code of Practice will not set out any stipulations regarding the use of the Welsh language. The proposed Code of Practice will provide a single set of standards for the parking industry that will deliver fairness for motorists across Wales, as well as in England and Scotland.

The Government recently conducted a Call for Evidence to help ensure that our forthcoming consultation on capping parking charges and debt recovery fees is as well as informed as possible. Some members of the Welsh Parliament provided contributions to this Call for Evidence and their submissions were reviewed as part of our analysis of the Call for Evidence responses.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the latest version of the Private Parking Code of Practice due to be issued shortly will include requirements on the use of the Welsh language in relation to Wales.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

The proposed Private Parking Code of Practice will not set out any stipulations regarding the use of the Welsh language. The proposed Code of Practice will provide a single set of standards for the parking industry that will deliver fairness for motorists across Wales, as well as in England and Scotland.

The Government recently conducted a Call for Evidence to help ensure that our forthcoming consultation on capping parking charges and debt recovery fees is as well as informed as possible. Some members of the Welsh Parliament provided contributions to this Call for Evidence and their submissions were reviewed as part of our analysis of the Call for Evidence responses.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many times the Prime Minister has met the First Minister of Wales.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Prime Minister has met with the First Minister of Wales once since taking office as part of his visit to Wales on the Monday following the election. The Prime Minister and the First Minister of Wales have also spoken twice on the phone, on day one and shortly after the First Minister announced his intention to stand down as the leader of Welsh Labour.

This is in addition to the Prime Minister’s day one calls with the First Minister of Scotland and the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and meetings with them in person over the following Sunday and Monday.

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.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government on the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK Government has had regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a range of issues as part of our determination to reset relations with the devolved governments. We want to work collaboratively with the Welsh Government as we deliver our national missions and our manifesto commitments for Wales.

Many of the recommendations of the report are reflected in our manifesto commitments to Wales, including enhanced protection for Welsh devolution, strengthened intergovernmental working, better access to economic resources for Wales and enhanced powers for the Senedd and Welsh Government.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect jobs at Tata Steel, and how much of their £3 billion plan for steel has been committed to this.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This Government's manifesto committed £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector, in addition to £500 million already earmarked for Port Talbot steelworks. This funding will harness public and private investment to secure jobs and boost growth in Wales and the UK. We are working closely with Tata and Unions to ensure a better deal.

At the most recent meeting of the Transition Board (11 July), chaired by the Secretary of State for Wales, the Board agreed it would move into a delivery phase to support those affected staff and the local area. The Transition Board will meet again in August to consider next steps.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 23 July (HL Deb col 361) in relation to an upcoming meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport in Wales, when is the meeting, and whether they will report the discussions that take place in the meeting.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport in Wales is planned to take place in August. The meeting will include the parties agreeing how any reporting from the meeting will take place afterwards. The Secretary of State has already met with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport in Wales.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 July (HL190), what specific plans they have to deliver enhanced powers for the Senedd and Welsh Government.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As set out in our manifesto, the Government is committed to devolving employment support funding to the Welsh Government, to working with the Welsh Government to consider the devolution of youth justice, and to conducting a strategic review of probation governance, which will include considering the benefits of devolved models.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to commence section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 relating to political party candidate information and if so, when.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government believes that every party standing for elections to the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd has a duty to demonstrate progress towards better representation. Commencement of section 106 is one way of achieving that and we will set out our plans for this area in due course.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 July (HL190), what specific plans they have to deliver better access to economic resources for Wales.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government recognises that the Welsh Fiscal Framework is out of date and is committed to working in partnership with the Welsh Government to ensure that it delivers value for money. We will also restore decision-making over the allocation of structural funds to the representatives of Wales. The Secretary of State for Wales will work closely with HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in taking these commitments forward.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 July (HL190), what specific plans they have to deliver strengthened intergovernmental working.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK Government is resetting its relationship with the devolved governments to strengthen the UK through greater respect. This stronger intergovernmental working will be spearheaded by a new Council of the Nations and Regions, bringing together the Prime Minister, the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland, the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and the Mayors of Combined Authorities in England, to enable greater collaboration on shared challenges and opportunities.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 July (HL190), what specific plans they have to deliver enhanced protection for Welsh devolution.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is fully committed to strengthening the Sewel Convention by setting out a new memorandum of understanding outlining how the nations will work together for the common good. We will work closely with the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to reach consensus on matters regarding legislation in service of people across the United Kingdom.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Hermer on 23 July (HL Deb col 374) in relation to the devolution of employment support funding to Wales, what is the amount of that funding, and what services will be in scope.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK Government is resetting its relationship with the Devolved Governments to strengthen the UK through greater respect and collaboration.

We look forward to working closely with the Welsh Government to agree how we devolve employment support and ensure this complements existing provision and planned reforms to Jobcentre Plus services.