Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to work more closely with (a) Shrewsbury and (b) other border towns and communities to help encourage tourism after the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
I continue to hold discussions with the First Minister on the reopening of Wales’ tourism industry to ensure that Wales is well placed to attract visitors whilst respecting social distancing and to make the most of the summer season.
Based on the scientific evidence available, the UK Government has set out a clear plan on how we will rebuild the UK for a world with Covid-19 whilst respecting devolved decision making. Subject to scientific advice, next month will see the partial reopening of some tourist accommodation in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I have written to the First Minister to urge that Wales is not left behind.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of the different approaches of the UK and Welsh Governments to tackling covid-19 on the health of people in (a) Shrewsbury and (b) other border communities; and if he will work with his Welsh counterpart to improve co-ordination on covid-19 between the two Administrations.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The UK Government is doing whatever it takes to ensure the UK defeats Coronavirus and I have regular discussions with the First Minister and his Ministerial team on the UK-wide response, including the impact of Covid-19 on border communities. I consider it crucial that any differences in the response between Wales and England is supported by robust evidence.
Since the start of the outbreak, including through the COBR Ministerial Committee and the Ministerial Implementation Groups, there have been 116 engagements in total between the UK and Welsh Government. I am, of course, always looking for opportunities for closer working between the two governments and have asked the First Minister to consider inviting the Parliamentary Under-Secretary or me to attend meetings of the Welsh Government’s Covid-19 Core Ministerial Group.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if his Department will work with the Welsh Government to ensure that the views of people in England affected by Welsh rail franchises are considered during the next franchise sale process.
Answered by Alun Cairns
We have an agreement in principle with the Welsh Government that executive franchising functions will be transferred to Welsh Ministers to enable them to lead on the procurement, management and enforcement of the next Wales and Borders franchise. To ensure proper accountability for passengers in England, it is expected that services primarily serving English markets will be remapped into other Department for Transport franchises and we will consult on specific proposals in due course.
My officials, along with those from the Department for Transport, are working closely with the Welsh Government to reach final agreement on these matters to ensure that the interests of rail passengers on both sides of the border are fully protected.