Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 20 January (HLWS369), what official role will the Welsh Government have within His Majesty's Government’s review of the higher education sector.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
While higher education is a devolved matter, the Welsh government is engaging with the UK government regarding plans for higher education (HE) reform in England. The department will publish the plans for HE reform in England in the summer.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 20 January (HLWS369), what input have the Welsh Government made so far to His Majesty's Government’s review of the higher education sector.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
While higher education is a devolved matter, the Welsh government is engaging with the UK government regarding plans for higher education (HE) reform in England. The department will publish the plans for HE reform in England in the summer.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 20 January (HLWS369), when their review of the higher education sector will be completed and published.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
While higher education is a devolved matter, the Welsh government is engaging with the UK government regarding plans for higher education (HE) reform in England. The department will publish the plans for HE reform in England in the summer.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proposals, if any, they have received from the European Union regarding a youth mobility scheme.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government set out clear priorities for the reset with the EU in the manifesto. There are no plans for a Youth Mobility Scheme.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether their agreement with the Welsh Government on the Welsh Government’s fiscal framework, published on 19 December 2016, is under review.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
We remain committed to working in partnership with the Welsh Government to ensure the Fiscal Framework continues to deliver value for money while upholding our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility. Discussions regarding the Welsh Government’s request to amend the budget management tools outlined in the Framework are ongoing.
As set out in the Welsh Government Fiscal Framework agreed in 2016, a full review is triggered if the Welsh Government’s relative funding falls below 115% of equivalent UK Government spending per head in the rest of the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office on 6 February (HC Deb col 964), what is the breakdown by department of the "nearly 70 direct engagements" held between UK Ministers and their EU counterparts since July 2024.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Responsibility for UK-EU Relations lies with the Cabinet Office and the Paymaster General and Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds, who has spoken with his counterpart Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič seven times. The Prime Minister has spoken with Commission President von der Leyen seven times and with Council President Costa three. Ministers across Government also regularly engage with their EU counterparts, including meetings held by FCDO, DSIT, DBT, DESNZ, HMT, HO, DEFRA, DCMS and others.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government on higher education reforms including how universities are funded and governed, and how students are financially supported.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK’s world leading Higher Education sector makes a vital contribution, as both education and research institutions, to our economy, to society, to industry and to innovation.
The Secretary of State for Wales has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a range of issues, including Higher Education. The Department for Education has engaged at both official and ministerial level with the Welsh Government regarding plans for Higher Education reform and financial sustainability and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have received any proposals from the EU on a youth mobility scheme.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government's position remains the same - there are no plans for a youth mobility scheme. We have always said we will consider sensible proposals in accordance with our red lines as part of this process - but we have been clear that there will be no return to freedom of movement.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the statement by the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office on 6 February on EU–UK relations (HC Deb cols 963–4), what is the breakdown by department of the 70 direct engagements between UK ministers and EU counterparts.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Responsibility for UK-EU Relations lies with the Cabinet Office and the Paymaster General and Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds, who has spoken with his counterpart Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič seven times. The Prime Minister has spoken with Commission President von der Leyen six times and with Council President Costa twice. Ministers across Government also regularly engage with their EU counterparts, including meetings held by FCDO, DSIT, DBT, DESNZ, HMT, HO, DEFRA, DCMS and others.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what live environmental data are available regarding disused coal tips.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There are over 6,000 disused coal tips in Britain with 2,573 located in Wales. The majority of tips are in local authority or private ownership which includes legal responsibilities. The Welsh Government has published coal tips data and details of their work programme to address the tips issue including inspections/maintenance https://www.gov.wales/coal-tip-safety
There is no central tips record in England or Scotland as the geological makeup of tip locations in those areas, and previous reprofiling/restoration, has left a lower risk profile.