Oral Answers to Questions

Ben Lake Excerpts

Wednesday 16th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

2. What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the spending review 2025 on Wales.

[Ben Lake (Ceredigion Preseli) (PC)]

13. What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the spending review 2025 on Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

Through the spending review, we are providing a record £22.4 billion per year on average for the Welsh Government; investing at least £445 million in Welsh rail; investing £211 million a year in local growth funding; and providing £118 million of new funding for coal tip safety. This Labour Government are investing in Wales’s economy, public services and people. We have ended Conservative austerity.

[Jo Stevens]

I very much agree with the hon. Lady about the benefits to the Union of the significant investment that this Government are making in transport. I am very happy to take away her comment on Lumo and open access, and talk to the Rail Minister on her behalf.

[Ben Lake]

I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State explain in evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee last week that Wales will receive a Barnett consequential of some £200 million as a result of transport announcements for English mayoral combined authority areas made in the lead up to the spending review. Could the Secretary of State clarify whether she was referring to the transport for city regions funding, which was announced on 4 June? The Chief Secretary to the Treasury stated in an answer to a written question that it was not possible to identify the specific Barnett consequential arising from that programme.