Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government in which financial year they last received a financial contribution from the European Union towards the cost of (1) regional, and (2) social project funding in Wales; and what was the total sum received for each fund.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
This is a devolved matter, and it is the responsibility of the Welsh government for administrating the funds. However, I can confirm that last payments for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programmes were received by the Welsh Government in 2025/26 and in total for the ERDF 2014-20 Programme, €1.4bn was received. For European Social Fund (ESF), the last payments received by the Welsh Government was in 2024/25 and the total received for the ESF 2014-20 Programmes was €1bn.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review current legislation to ensure that businesses do not use pre-pack insolvency provisions to avoid paying outstanding business rates at the point of going into administration.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
There are no plans to review the legislation in this area.
Pre-packaged sales in administration are an important restructuring tool that can help preserve viable businesses and jobs. In many cases they provide a better outcome for creditors, including local authorities for business rates, when compared to other insolvency options. Pre-packaged sales are subject to strict regulatory controls and safeguards, and directors found to have abused insolvency provisions to avoid debts are liable to criminal or civil action.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the current definition of horticulture within the relevant standard industrial classification code in order to recognise horticulture as an energy intensive industry for the purposes of the network charging compensation scheme.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) is maintained by the independent Office for National Statistics and is used to classify economic activity across the economy. Decisions on eligibility for the Network Charging Compensation Scheme are a matter for BIST. Defra continues to work closely with BIST to share evidence and case studies on the energy challenges felt by parts of the horticulture sector.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government in which financial year tolls were last collected on the M4 Severn Crossing under the Severn Bridges Act 1992, and what total toll revenue was collected in the last full financial year in which such tolls were payable.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The power to levy tolls at the Severn Crossings under the Severn Bridges Act 1992 expired on 7 January 2018. Severn River Crossings plc published annual accounts for years ending 31 December, except for the final year of tolling when the accounting period was extended. For the year ending 31 December 2016, toll income was £103.2million. For the 373-day period ending 0001 on 8 January 2018, toll income was £108.6million.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to emphasise the UNESCO world heritage sites, in particular those associated with the slate industry in Wales, when promoting the UK as a destination for overseas tourists.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the vital role that heritage assets play in driving tourism growth and supporting local economies. Across the country our cultural and historical landmarks are powerful catalysts for regional investment, visitor spending, and community pride. Our UNESCO World Heritage sites, including those associated with the former slate industry are an invaluable way of highlighting areas with an internationally recognised significance both to domestic and international visitors.
VisitBritain promotes Britain to international visitors, working with the devolved nations and English regions to act at the unified international marketing agency, driving inbound tourism. Tourism policy in Wales is devolved, therefore promotion and management of specific domestic sites, including those associated with the slate industry in Wales, and regional campaigns remain the responsibility of VisitWales and the Welsh Government.
To support these efforts, VisitBritain emphasises Britain's UNESCO sites as part of their 'things to do' section on their website, providing an interactive map, details of attractions and frequently asked questions about UNESCO. The site contains links to VisitWales, and the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s website which details the UK’s's UNESCO-designated sites, including the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site, amongst others.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what investigations have been undertaken into allegations of dumping of dangerous substances by the former Monsanto chemical company.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local authorities are primarily responsible for regulating contaminated land in England, while the Environment Agency (EA) regulates designated special sites. The EA has provided technical support for past and current local authority investigations into alleged Monsanto dumping sites, but none have been designated as special sites to date.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in securing the manufacture of the radio-isotopes required by the NHS for cancer diagnostics and treatment from sources within the UK.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Medical radioisotopes used for cancer diagnostics and treatments rely on diverse supply chains from domestic and international suppliers. The United Kingdom has a comprehensive network of cyclotrons used for diagnostics. These cyclotrons tend to be based close to where the medical radioisotopes will be used due to the very short half-life of these products. Other medical radioisotopes are manufactured in reactors, and the UK does not have a suitable reactor for this manufacture, therefore we import these from a number of international suppliers.
The reliable supply of medical radioisotopes for diagnosing and treating cancer and other conditions remains a priority for the Government and when there are shortages, the Department works with suppliers and clinical leads to support the return of supplies and to limit the impact on patients during the shortage.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of more generous provision in law for paternity leave.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises that the current parental leave and pay system could do more to support dads and partners who want to be more actively involved in supporting their partner and children.
We have already taken steps to make this easier. Through the Employment Rights Act, dads and partners are now eligible for Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from their first day of employment.
We are also undertaking a Review of the Parental Leave and Pay system. All existing parental leave and pay entitlements are within scope, including paternity leave and pay. The Review will conclude in early 2027.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of businesses were assessed as being in critical financial distress in the second quarter of this year in (1) Wales, (2) England, (3) Scotland, and (4) Northern Ireland; and how these figures compare with those recorded in each of the preceding four quarters.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Official data on business vulnerability is not published by the Department.
Growth is this government’s number one mission and our plan is to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business, with a culture that supports entrepreneurship in every community and high street. The Small Business Plan was launched in July 2025 and contains 200 targeted actions which will make a real difference to the operations of small businesses and help them grow. With a £4bn finance boost to increase access to finance for entrepreneurs, the British Business Bank promotes the provision of better access-to-finance information for UK SMEs. The Growth Guarantee Scheme helps businesses access loans up to £2 million per business group to be used for any business purpose, including growth and investment or working capital.
On 14th July 2026, the Chancellor announced access-to-finance measures through supporting:
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of businesses that delisted from the London Stock Exchange in each of the last three years.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We have already delivered an ambitious set of ongoing reforms to boost the UK’s capital markets to ensure the UK is the best place for firms to start, scale, list and stay.
Our stock markets are showing signs of renewed momentum, with over £26.8 billion raised since the start of 2025 through IPOs and follow-on issuances.
The government has also established the Listings Taskforce to ensure the UK attracts the best and brightest businesses from the UK and around the world, to list on UK markets.