Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the treatment of Joshua Wong and other Hong Kong activists will be taken into account in any further (a) approvals and (b) consents relating to the proposed Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The planning decision on the proposed Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court was taken independently on 20 January 2026 by the then-Secretary of State for Housing in a quasi-judicial capacity. It is longstanding government policy not to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of licensing more drilling on delivering good growth in Cardiff West constituency.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The prices of oil and gas are determined by international markets, regardless of where supply comes from.
The government is taking a pragmatic approach to support existing North Sea oil and gas production and back the highly skilled workforce as opportunities grow in renewables and wider sectors. Transitional Energy Certificates will allow for some oil and gas production in already-explored areas that are near licensed fields, linked via a tieback, ensuring existing fields can remain economically viable. Further licensing would have limited impact on growth, including in Cardiff West.
The Rosebank field consenting decision remains subject to a live ‘quasi-judicial’ regulatory process, so it would be inappropriate to comment on the project.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much Jackdaw and Rosebank will reduce household energy bills in Cardiff West constituency.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The prices of oil and gas are determined by international markets, regardless of where supply comes from.
The government is taking a pragmatic approach to support existing North Sea oil and gas production and back the highly skilled workforce as opportunities grow in renewables and wider sectors. Transitional Energy Certificates will allow for some oil and gas production in already-explored areas that are near licensed fields, linked via a tieback, ensuring existing fields can remain economically viable. Further licensing would have limited impact on growth, including in Cardiff West.
The Rosebank field consenting decision remains subject to a live ‘quasi-judicial’ regulatory process, so it would be inappropriate to comment on the project.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how Rosebank will improve and secure the UK's energy security in the context of the amount of oil destined for international markets.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The prices of oil and gas are determined by international markets, regardless of where supply comes from.
The government is taking a pragmatic approach to support existing North Sea oil and gas production and back the highly skilled workforce as opportunities grow in renewables and wider sectors. Transitional Energy Certificates will allow for some oil and gas production in already-explored areas that are near licensed fields, linked via a tieback, ensuring existing fields can remain economically viable. Further licensing would have limited impact on growth, including in Cardiff West.
The Rosebank field consenting decision remains subject to a live ‘quasi-judicial’ regulatory process, so it would be inappropriate to comment on the project.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure more vocational pathways are available in Cardiff West.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Education and skills policy is devolved in Wales. The Welsh Government is responsible for vocational education and training provision in Cardiff West.
The department has regular conversations with counterparts in the Welsh Government in relation to education policy, including on vocational pathways.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will examine the potential for a Cardiff–Newport–Bristol economic corridor which would examine how transport, infrastructure, investment and closer collaboration between businesses and universities could create an integrated economic corridor to encourage more investment and high-value employment within Wales.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
The Government's ambition is to support good growth across all parts of the United Kingdom.
At SR 25, the Government delivered the largest spending review settlements in real terms for the Welsh Government since devolution in 1998.
The UK and Welsh Governments have agreed a long-term plan for Welsh rail and we are committed to delivering that plan; unlocking 12,000 jobs and connecting the people of Wales to tens of thousands more across the country. This represents a long term commitment to a pipeline of 43 projects worth up to £14bn in North, South, Mid and West Wales that will deliver the transport network Wales deserves.
We are also investing in the West of England, with the West of England Combined Authority receiving £800m of transport investment via the Transport for City Regions fund over 5 years (2027/28 – 2031/32), which will support mass transit development between Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Bristol and Newport are each receiving £20m from the Pride in Place Fund over 10 years. Businesses across South Wales are benefiting through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, Cardiff Capital Region is receiving £30 million to build on its strengths in semiconductors and the creative industries, while South West Wales has secured up to £20 million for clean energy and advanced materials.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps is the government taking to create a national youth forum to consult young people on policies that affect them, giving them powers to challenge policies that will affect their interests.
Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS is taking a number of steps to ensure there are a variety of national forums through which young people are consulted and involved in decisions that affect them. Too many young people feel that their voice does not matter and this needs to change. The ‘Seen and Heard’ chapter of Youth Matters sets out our ambitions to put young people in the driving seat and give them more opportunities to influence policy locally, regionally and nationally. Some examples are as follows:
Firstly, the department is creating a new ‘Youth Policy Network’ to ensure that whichever part of the government is making decisions, if they affect young people, a diverse range of young people can take part.
Secondly, the department continues to work closely with a Youth Advisory Group on the delivery of Youth Matters, and previous members play a key role as ambassadors.
Thirdly, to hold the government accountable, the department will invite a diverse group of young people to run an annual national hearing on the Strategy's delivery.
Alongside this, DCMS youth funding programmes are required to be co-designed with young people. We are also working closely with young people and partners to co-design our approach to youth participation in democracy and decision-making. Outcomes of this engagement with young people will be shared in the Autumn.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase ranger numbers in landscapes at high‑risk to wildfires.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
It is crucial that we learn lessons from the 2026 wildfires and we are taking a number of steps to prepare for future wildfire seasons by strengthening coordination across Government, working closely with fire and rescue services, land managers and local authorities, and improving our understanding of wildfire risk. Our focus is on building resilience, through better prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. We recognise that rangers play an important role in managing wildfire risk, working closely with Fire and Rescue Services where needed, and ensuring staff are appropriately trained to support safe and appropriate action.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to introduce (a) a broader fast-track visa waiver programme for major sporting events and (b) an extension to the eligibility requirements for a Paid Permitted Engagement visa.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Standard Visitor route already has generous provisions for fans, sportspeople, and the personal and technical staff of sportspeople, coming to the UK to attend a sporting event. Non-visa nationals (such as visitors from the EU/EEA or the United States) do not require a visa to visit the UK and can travel on an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
For those that do require a visa, the UK’s service standards for processing a visa are already among the fastest in the world and paid-for priority services are available for those who require an even faster decision.
The Standard Visitor route Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) rules are also generous. These rules exceptionally permit professional sportspersons to be paid for carrying out an activity directly relating to their profession for the first 30 days of their visit, provided they have been invited by a sports organisation, agent, or broadcaster based in the UK.
Asked by: Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will provide an update on recent progress on the reintroduction of keystone species like beavers.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra supports the reintroduction of keystone species where benefits to the environment, people and the economy are clear. Three licensed beaver wild release projects have been approved in England, with two further applications underway. Defra has approved £1m of funding for golden eagle reintroduction work and supported white-tailed eagle releases.