Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Susan Elan Jones

Wednesday 8th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

I am surprised by the hon. Gentleman’s question, because there has been nothing consistent about Labour’s approach to energy policy either in government or in opposition.

[Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of the effects on living standards in Wales of the measures announced in the autumn statement.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

The autumn statement set out further measures to ensure that there is a responsible economic recovery. That is the only way to achieve the sustained rise in living standards in Wales and across the UK that we all want to see.

[Susan Elan Jones]

May I associate myself with the tributes that have been given?

I thank the Minister for his answer, but many of us are dismayed that the autumn statement did little to address issues related to poverty. Does the Secretary of State really believe that it is right that food bank usage in Wales has gone up 1,400% since 2010? Surely that is not acceptable.

[Stephen Crabb]

We know that the Labour party discovered food banks only in 2010. Before that, Labour Members denied that they even existed. In the autumn statement and at the end of last year, we saw average wages in Wales increasing at double the rate of inflation and personal disposable income in Wales increasing. The situation is still very challenging for many households in Wales, but the overall picture is positive, and the hon. Lady should support that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Susan Elan Jones

Wednesday 16th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab)]

1. If he will meet Digital UK to discuss the adequacy of levels of service experienced by television viewers in north-east Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

I am always happy to meet relevant organisations to discuss issues affecting levels of services provided to the people of Wales.

[Susan Elan Jones]

I thank the Minister for his response. Digital UK is funded by the TV licence but the level of service it has been offering to many of my constituents, and other people in north-east Wales, has been totally shambolic in terms of the lack of provision of English or Welsh language Welsh television services. In some cases it has even told people to buy Freesat boxes, which is pathetic. Will the Minister ensure that the situation is sorted pronto, and that if Digital UK carries on being that pathetic it will be required to fund those Freesat boxes? The situation in north-east Wales is unsustainable.

[Stephen Crabb]

I am aware that in certain parts of Wales there are specific issues concerning the reception of digital television, and that some communities cannot receive the full suite of digital channels that most people receive. I understand that most of those problems are relatively straightforward to sort out, but where there are persistent problems I will be more than happy to meet the hon. Lady and Digital UK, and possibly Ofcom, which may be more appropriate in that respect,