Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the first Minister of Wales on financial support for businesses during covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I have regular discussions with the First Minister of Wales and his Ministerial team on our governments’ responses to Covid-19.
Over the past eight months of this crisis, the UK Government and the Welsh Government have worked together co-operatively on measures to help people in Wales get through the Covid outbreak.
The UK Government has guaranteed £5 billion in further funding to the Welsh Government to support its response to the virus. In addition to the extra funding our Coronavirus Business Loan Scheme has supported over 1,600 Welsh businesses, our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has protected over 401,000 jobs, our Self-Employed Income Support Scheme has helped over 108,000 self-employed people and we have backed 48,000 bounce back loans.
The Government’s extension of CJRS to the end of March further demonstrates that we are taking the steps needed to provide further financial support to protect jobs and businesses in Wales and right across the UK.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps the Government is taking to help protect employment in the tourism sector in Wales from the effects of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The UK Government has protected jobs in Wales’ tourism sector through a far-reaching range of measures, including cuts to VAT, incentives to keep workers in their jobs and the Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, which encouraged thousands of people to get back out and enjoy the best Wales has to offer.
We recognise the challenging times ahead. We are increasing support for businesses and employees in Wales by extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employed Income Support Scheme. Both schemes provide invaluable support to the hard-hit tourism and hospitality sectors that are so crucially important in Wales.
Our Plan for Jobs will also make available up to £30 billion to protect jobs, including those in the tourism sector.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what investment the Government has made in infrastructure in Wales since May 2010; and what estimate he has made of the level of that investment in the next five years.
Answered by Stephen Crabb
The Government has made huge progress in delivering the infrastructure that the UK needs, establishing the first ever national infrastructure plan, which now shows that more than 2,500 projects have been completed since 2010.
We have invested over £69 million to provide superfast broadband to over 275,000 homes and businesses in Wales and work has begun on the £212 million investment at the new prison in north Wales. We have provided the Welsh Government with £924 million in additional capital spending power since the Spending Review in 2010, and the Welsh Government will be able to borrow up to £500 million to enable them to complete the investment needed on the M4.
Over the next five years Wales will benefit from major infrastructure projects, including the electrification of the south Wales mainline and the Valley lines rail network. The Government will also continue to work with Hitachi and Horizon to secure the new investment in energy generation at Wylfa Newydd.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the use of public procurement to support the steel industry in Wales.
Answered by Stephen Crabb
Public procurement has the potential to create significant business and growth opportunities and I have met with leaders of the steel industry in Wales to discuss how the industry can best be supported by encouraging the use of domestic steel in UK Government contracts. I have also held discussions on the steel industry in Wales with the Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as well as the Welsh Government.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether any (a) external contractors and (b) consultancy companies engaged by his Department have charged more than the initial price agreed for their services since May 2010.
Answered by Alun Cairns
No external contractors or consultancy companies engaged by the Wales Office since May 2010 have charged more than the initial price agreed for their services.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the level of trade undertaken by businesses in Wales with countries in the EU.
Answered by David Jones
I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer I gave to the members for Delyn, Cardiff West and Ogmore earlier today.