Baroness Randerson

We recognise the unique and valuable role that Welsh National Opera has to play in our cultural life. The funding settlement it receives from Arts Council England puts it among the highest funded cultural organisations in the country.

Taking into account funding received to support transition to a lower grant level, Welsh National Opera are expected to have received up to £15.25 million over 3 years (2023-26) from ACE.

While DCMS is aware of recent developments regarding Welsh National Opera’s programme, the department has not carried out an in depth assessment regarding their plans. This is because Welsh National Opera is not supported directly by the department, but instead by an arm's-length body, Arts Council England, whose core funding decisions are taken independently from central government.

I will work with colleagues across government and with the Welsh Government to understand Welsh National Opera’s situation.

We recognise the unique and valuable role that Welsh National Opera has to play in our cultural life. The funding settlement it receives from Arts Council England puts it among the highest funded cultural organisations in the country.

Taking into account funding received to support transition to a lower grant level, Welsh National Opera are expected to have received up to £15.25 million over 3 years (2023-26) from ACE.

While DCMS is aware of recent developments regarding Welsh National Opera’s programme, the department has not carried out an in depth assessment regarding their plans. This is because Welsh National Opera is not supported directly by the department, but instead by an arm's-length body, Arts Council England, whose core funding decisions are taken independently from central government.

I will work with colleagues across government and with the Welsh Government to understand Welsh National Opera’s situation.

Education is a devolved matter. The Welsh Government is responsible for reducing inequalities in Wales.

The government recognises that international students enrich university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK, as well as making a significant economic contribution to the higher education sector and the UK.

The department expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination. The UK has 4 universities in the top 10, and 15 in the top 100 and international students are offered the opportunity to remain in the UK on a graduate visa for 2 to 3 years after their studies come to an end. Admissions into universities for the 2024/25 academic year are ongoing and the department is closely monitoring them.

It is important for universities, their students and staff, that there is a sustainable higher education (HE) funding system that provides opportunities, supports students and maintains the world-leading status of our universities. The government is committed to a sustainable funding model, which supports high value provision thereby powering opportunity and growth and meeting the skills needs of the country.

The government keeps the HE funding system under continuous review. The department will work with universities to support students and deliver for the economy. An announcement on student finance arrangements for the 2025/26 academic year will be made in due course.

The department is working to reset the relationship with its European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, has said that we must do more to champion ties between the UK and the EU’s people and culture, for example through holidays, family ties, school and student exchanges, the arts and sport.

This is not about renegotiating or relitigating Brexit, but about looking forward and building a strong and constructive relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain and this Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that works for the whole country. We need a long-term approach to infrastructure and investment taking account of local transport priorities, which is what we will provide. We will thoroughly review the position we have inherited before setting out more detailed plans in due course.