Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of ending the Energy Company Obligation on private sector investment in home energy efficiency in Wales.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

To bring energy bills down for all, the decision has been made not to continue the Energy Company Obligation when the current scheme ends.

We recognise that the decision will be unwelcome news to those working within the supply chain for these schemes. The government has instead committed to additional grant funding of £1.5bn to be directed to upgrading low-income households, benefitting those in fuel poverty. Details of this will be set out in the Warm Homes Plan.

We also intend to implement the manifesto commitment to increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private and social rented sectors.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much the average household in Wales is expected to save on energy bills as a result of the Budget’s Renewables Obligation measure, compared with households in England and Scotland.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

At the Budget, the Chancellor announced an average £150 of costs off people’s energy bills from April next year. £88 of that comes from the decision to fund 75% of the domestic Renewables Obligation from the Exchequer. The measures announced at Budget apply to the whole of Great Britain, and a household in Wales will see the same level of benefit as an equivalent household in England or Scotland that consumes the same levels of electricity and gas.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the planned £4.9 billion in efficiencies and savings in 2030–31 on devolved governments’ budgets.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDEL and £185m CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of the record settlement provided at Spending Review 2025. This means that the Welsh Government’s settlement continues to grow in real terms between 2024-25 and 2028-29.

The Welsh Government are free to allocate Barnett consequentials as they see fit across their devolved priorities

Where policy changes will take effect in years beyond the existing Spending Review 2025 period, the Barnett formula will apply when departmental budgets change at the next Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of higher-than-forecast inflation and pay growth on devolved governments’ capacity to fund public sector pay settlements.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Public sector pay is a devolved responsibility. This means it is for the devolved governments to decide how to allocate the funding they receive across their areas of responsibility, including public sector pay.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to provide additional support to devolved governments for public sector pay costs.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Public sector pay is a devolved responsibility. This means it is for the devolved governments to decide how to allocate the funding they receive across their areas of responsibility, including public sector pay.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planned reductions in departmental spending after 2028 on the Welsh block grant during the next Senedd term.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDEL and £185m CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of the record settlement provided at Spending Review 2025. This means that the Welsh Government’s settlement continues to grow in real terms between 2024-25 and 2028-29.

The Welsh Government are free to allocate Barnett consequentials as they see fit across their devolved priorities

Where policy changes will take effect in years beyond the existing Spending Review 2025 period, the Barnett formula will apply when departmental budgets change at the next Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of front-loaded Barnett consequentials on the Welsh Government’s medium-term financial planning.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDEL and £185m CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of the record settlement provided at Spending Review 2025. This means that the Welsh Government’s settlement continues to grow in real terms between 2024-25 and 2028-29.

The Welsh Government are free to allocate Barnett consequentials as they see fit across their devolved priorities

Where policy changes will take effect in years beyond the existing Spending Review 2025 period, the Barnett formula will apply when departmental budgets change at the next Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to publish a breakdown of the spending decisions in England that generated the £508 million of Barnett consequentials for Wales at the 2025 Autumn Budget.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDEL and £185m CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of the record settlement provided at Spending Review 2025. This means that the Welsh Government’s settlement continues to grow in real terms between 2024-25 and 2028-29.

The Welsh Government are free to allocate Barnett consequentials as they see fit across their devolved priorities

Where policy changes will take effect in years beyond the existing Spending Review 2025 period, the Barnett formula will apply when departmental budgets change at the next Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the Treasury’s analysis of how far the uplifts to Welsh Government borrowing and reserve limits restore the real-terms value of those limits since they were set a decade ago.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As announced at Autumn Budget 2025 there will be a 10% increase to annual and cumulative capital borrowing limits and the Wales Reserve overall and annual drawdown limits in 2026-27 which will increase the real value of the Welsh Government’s budget management tools.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the proposed high-value property surcharge in England will generate Barnett-related consequentials for devolved administrations.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

There were no changes to UK Government DEL budgets as a result of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge so this policy did not result in Barnett consequentials.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much and what proportion of funding allocated to AI and semiconductor growth zones will be spent in Wales; and over what timeframe.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The AI Growth Zones programme aims to attract billions of pounds in private investment into AI data centres and drive economic growth through job creation. The programme will create opportunities for skills development and apprenticeships, forge research and development partnerships with local universities, and enable British businesses to participate in major AI projects.

We have announced four AI Growth Zones, two of which are Welsh sites, with one in Anglesey and another in South Wales. These sites will benefit from major private investment, including Vanguard's planned £10 billion investment in the South Wales AI Growth Zone. In addition to this private capital, we are providing £5 million for each AI Growth Zone through UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) to support skills development and AI adoption, ensuring that local communities benefit directly from the programme. This funding will be available from April 2026 for all AI Growth Zones.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the impact of the income tax threshold freeze on Welsh Rates of Income Tax revenues.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028

As agreed between the UK and Welsh Governments, under the existing fiscal framework, the Welsh Government is responsible for 10p in income tax rates, whilst income tax thresholds in Wales remain reserved to the UK Government.

The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on their fiscal framework, including the impact of UK Government tax policy changes.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to increase domestic processing capacity for steel scrap.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that the UK steel industry's shift towards electric arc furnaces will elevate the importance of high-quality scrap as a material for UK steelmaking. The Government is committed to working with the supply chain to generate the conditions for growth and we are actively listening to the perspectives of all involved parties. Companies can also approach the National Wealth Fund, which has a remit to invest in the steel supply chain, in line with its investment principles.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to ensure that UK steel producers are not subject to additional decarbonisation-related charges that could impact their competitiveness relative to overseas producers.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government is committed to supporting the UK steel sector and we will publish our strategy for the sector in 2026. This will articulate what is needed to create a competitive environment and to secure UK steelmaking capability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of improved on-train wi-fi services on discouraging less sustainable forms of travel.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As part of the Spending Review business case assessing the value for money of delivering improved passenger internet connectivity, we assessed the positive benefits that can arise from ‘modal shift’, arising where people choose to travel by train in preference to using their cars. We followed standard transport appraisal and passenger demand forecast handbook guidance in our assessments.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the steps required to ensure that the improved Wi-Fi capacity enabled by recent investment in Low Earth Orbit connectivity can be delivered to passengers through compatible on-train equipment.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My officials produced a detailed business case as part of the Spending Review to deploy low earth orbit satellite connections on all mainline trains to improve on train wifi connectivity for passengers. The team is currently working through establishing the procurement and delivery model. We issued a preliminary market engagement notice on gov.uk to begin engaging with industry on how improvements can be delivered to passengers through compatible on-train equipment.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what representations has he made to BP over the use of British steel in the Net Zero Teesside project.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The department regularly engages with key CCUS stakeholders, including BP, to understand progress towards the industry-led, voluntary 50% local content target. The department has emphasised in discussions with industry partners the importance of supporting the UK steel sector and maximising opportunities for British businesses within the UK’s transition to net zero.

There has already been extensive investment in the CCUS supply chain, with £1 bn in UK-based subcontracts already being awarded across the Net Zero Teesside project and its associated CO2 Transport and Storage Company, the Northern Endurance Partnership, both of which are BP led. This demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting domestic industry and jobs.

The department will continue to explore further opportunities to maximise the role of the UK supply chain and we look forward to working closely with BP and other developers to achieve this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her department is taking to harmonise customs processes between the UK and EU.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps with the French authorities on the development of an app for remote registration at the Short Straits crossing following the rollout of the EU Entry Exit System.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

We continue to engage Member States, including France, on the use of technology for remote EES registration. Ultimately, this is a matter for the European Commission and Member States.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made on the planned further engagement and call for evidence on the rationale for the payment on the commission on park homes.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home. The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here. We will set out plans in due course to seek further evidence from the sector on the rationale for the commission.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce administrative burdens on businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government announced at the Autumn Budget a £16.6m package of measures to support businesses to move goods within the UK internal market, including a comprehensive ‘one stop shop’ regulatory support service and additional funding for Intertrade UK.

On 3 December, we announced with the EU that SPS identity checks on retail goods would now be reduced from 10% to 8%, further smoothing flows of trade. Looking ahead, the Government is also negotiating a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU that is set to remove routine checks on animal and plant products moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Great British Railways will be required to procure sufficient mobile data capacity to meet passenger expectations for on-train Wi-Fi across the network.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

While it is too early to confirm specific procurement requirements, improving Wi-Fi provision across the network will be a key part of future planning and engagement with industry partners.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to include indirect emissions in the scope of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism before 2029.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The inclusion of indirect emissions within scope of the CBAM will be delayed until 2029 at the earliest. This is to reflect continued support for the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 to Question 95762 on Income Tax: Wales, what estimate her Department has made of the number of taxpayers residing in Wales that will (a) begin paying income tax, (b) enter the higher rate band and (c) enter the additional rate band due to the threshold freeze in each year until 2030-31.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The number of people forecast to pay tax by marginal rate can be found in Table 3.19 in the OBR’s November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below:

https://obr.uk/download/november-2025-economic-and-fiscal-outlook-detailed-forecast-tables-receipts/?tmstv=1764165511

The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic and environmental benefits of retaining a greater proportion of UK-generated steel scrap for domestic Electric Arc Furnace use.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that the UK steel industry's shift towards electric arc furnaces will elevate the importance of high-quality scrap as a material for UK steelmaking. The Government has not performed an assessment of the economic impact of retaining scrap. However, we are actively listening to the perspectives of all involved parties.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to introduce national standards for Electric Arc Furnace-grade steel scrap.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that the UK steel industry's shift towards electric arc furnaces will elevate the importance of high-quality scrap as a material for UK steelmaking. The UK’s abundant scrap supply offers domestic steelmaking a strategic advantage and this creates opportunities for both steelmakers and metal recyclers alike. No decisions have been taken at this stage on whether to introduce mandatory national standards for Electric Arc Furnace-grade steel scrap, but we are actively listening to the perspectives of all involved parties.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking ahead of the 2026 review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to reduce non-tariff barriers affecting UK–EU goods movements.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are committed to making trade with our largest and most important partner easier by removing unnecessary barriers to trade.

We are negotiating with the EU on a number of issues that will slash red tape for businesses, including an SPS agreement to sweep away the majority of regulatory barriers for agrifood products, and tackle wider barriers to trade in organic products and key agri-food marketing standards. This agreement could increase the volume of UK exports of major agricultural commodities to the EU by 16%.

We continue to engage the EU through established channels, including relevant UK-EU Trade Specialised Committees.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to analysis cited in the Road Haulage Association’s 2025 Autumn Budget Submission, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of an increase in fuel duty on household living standards.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average car driver £49 next year compared to previous plans.

The Government has set out estimated impacts on household incomes from tax, welfare and public service spending decisions taken at Budget 2025, including eVED. These impacts are available at GOV.UK: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69269c6222424e25e6bc31bb/Impact_on_households.pdf

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a fuel duty rebate linked to emissions reductions to encourage the use of low carbon fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a relatively new fuel and has limited availability in the UK. When used for domestic heating, HVO benefits from the rebated duty rate of 10.18p per litre, in contrast to the full duty rate of 52.95p per litre.

The Government currently encourages the use of HVO through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which incentivises the use of low carbon fuels and reduces emissions from fuel supplied for use in transport and non-road mobile machinery. The RTFO has been very successful in supporting a market for renewable fuel since its introduction in 2008. Renewable fuels supplied under the RTFO currently contribute a third of the savings required for the UK’s transport carbon budget.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on delivering a UK Single Trade Window.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government is committed to minimising administrative burdens and frictions experienced by businesses trading internationally. While delivery of the single trade window (STW) was paused at the end of 2024, it remains the Government’s intention to deliver an STW, and we will use the pause to further engage with key border stakeholders to better understand their needs.

Northern Powerhouse Rail and Wales

The Gatehouse in Oxford

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Missing Evri deliveries

Convention on Cluster Munitions and preventing UK involvement in their production

UK arms export licensing and conflict in Sudan

Sinking of SS Tilawa

Winter NHS corridor care

Changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief in the Autumn Budget 2025

Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Mental health in farming

Royal Naval Association Torbay

Valporate report

McLaren title win for British motorsport

Lando Norris wins Formula One World Driver's Championship

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gerald Jones; Ben

Found: cuts on international development • Sir John Hayes, Charlie Dewhirst, Rebecca Long Bailey and David Chadwick

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gill German; Gerald

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gill German; Gerald