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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 26 November (HL2477), what they expect the minimum standards for asset pooling to be in the Local Government Pensions Scheme, and what would be required for the Wales Public Sector Pension Partnership to meet these minimum standards.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is consulting on proposals for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools, including the Wales Pension Partnership, to meet the following minimum standards:

• Administering authorities would remain responsible for setting an investment strategy for their fund, and would be required to fully delegate the implementation of that strategy to the pool;
• Administering Authorities would be required to set out their high-level objective on local investment and to take account of local growth plans in their investment strategies (or local priorities in areas not covered by local growth plans), as well as including a target range for local investment. In Wales, Administering Authorities would be required to take account of the priorities and plans of the relevant Corporate Joint Committee or Committees;
• Administering authorities would be required to transfer legacy assets to the management of the pool;
• Administering authorities would be required to take principal advice on their investment strategy from the pool;
• Pools would be required to be established as investment management companies authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, with the expertise and capacity to advise on and implement investment strategies;
• Pools would be required to develop the capability to carry out due diligence on local investments and to manage such investments.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, following the nationalisation of Great Western Rail (GWR), they will review the timetables for the routes currently operated by GWR, and whether they will include a late evening service on those routes.

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

For each transfer into DfT Operator Ltd, there will not be any immediate changes to the timetable specification and there are no immediate plans to change the way future timetable adjustments will be managed. My Department has regular discussions with Great Western Railway to review the level of service provision, including in relation to late evening services, to ensure that the timetable meets passenger demand, is resilient, and provides value for money for taxpayers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for disruption caused by rail works at Old Oak Common to train services from Carmarthen to London; and how long they anticipate this disruption will last.

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

Old Oak Common station is a crucial enabler for the Government’s growth mission. During its construction there will be periods of full line closures and some periods, generally weekends, when the closure of some lines means fewer services will be able to operate. During full line closures, most services from Carmarthen to London are expected to be diverted into London Euston, maintaining direct access for passengers into Central London. This Government will continue working with industry partners to ensure that disruption for passengers using the Great Western Main Line is kept to a minimum.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government regarding the future of the Welsh National Opera.

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

Whilst it would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene directly in funding decisions by arm’s-length bodies such as Arts Council England or in the operation of the Welsh National Opera, and whilst arts policy in Wales is devolved, Minister Bryant has held a series of very productive meetings with the Wales Office, Welsh Government, Arts Council England, and Welsh National Opera to understand the challenges it faces in more detail and to see how, within the parameters of the arm’s length principle, we can best help ensure a strong, secure and sustainable future for the WNO.

The core point of agreement across all these meetings and across all partners was a recognition of the value of the Welsh National Opera and its work - for the people of England as well as for the people of Wales. It was clear that all partners are keen to achieve a positive long-term future for the organisation, and are working towards that goal. We look forward to the new leadership at the WNO coming up with a practicable plan in the near future.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish measures to amend the Coal Industry Act 1994.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 14^th November 2024 the Government announced its intention to change coal extraction policy through primary legislation to restrict future licensing of all new coal mines. The Government anticipates this will involve measures to amend the Coal Industry Act 1994 which will be introduced when Parliamentary time allows.

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.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government which specific disused coal tips will be supported with the £25 million funding announced in the Autumn Budget.

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

We are committed to supporting the Welsh Government in ensuring disused coal tips are safe. That is why we allocated £25 million of funding in 2025/6 for essential work being undertaken by the Welsh Government to keep disused coal tips maintained and safe. It is for the Welsh Government to allocate funding and as confirmed in their draft budget, the Welsh Government will do this by expanding the Coal Tip Safety Grant. The Welsh Government, in administering this fund, will work with local authorities in Wales to determine exactly which tips get the money.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to calculate UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations from 2026 using a needs-based formula or a population-based formula.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government will set out its long-term vision for local growth beyond 2025-26 at the multi-year spending review in the Spring. This will end the approach of local authorities and MCAs being forced to compete against each other for growth funds; target funding where it is most needed; and empower local leaders to create jobs, improve wages and get Britain building.

Found: It was tabled by Lord Hain (Labour) and sponsored by Lord Livermore for the government, Baroness Smith of Llanfaes

Found: It was tabled by Lord Hain (Labour) and sponsored by Lord Livermore for the government, Baroness Smith of Llanfaes