Devolved Authorities: Use of Resources

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. I have already mentioned some of the things that the Labour Government have done, but two areas that might be of interest to the House are what is happening in Port Talbot, and the electric arc furnaces. In the Autumn Budget 2024, the UK Government confirmed £80 million funding for the Port Talbot transition board. The funding will support local businesses that are heavily reliant on Tata Steel, and their primary customers. On 11 September last year, this Government announced that they had agreed an improved deal with Tata Steel towards the transformation of Port Talbot steelworks. This improved deal secures 5,000 jobs, ensures that workers have enhanced support during the transition period and delivers a 1.5% reduction in the UK’s greenhouse emissions.

[Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Con)]

My Lords, I run a charity in Scotland, and if somebody gave me £119 million, I would be expected to account for how I spent that money. So, going back to the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, can the Government do anything that does not interfere with how the devolved Administrations choose to spend their money but requires them to report transparently on what it is they have spent it on?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

The UK Government and the Scottish Government need to work closely together on this issue. Obviously, we cannot get involved in how devolved Barnett money is being used, but there is ring-fenced money that has been allocated to Scotland, I think somewhere in the region of £119 million, and we need to ensure that it is spent properly, at the appropriate time, and gives value for money.