Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Douglas Lumsden (Aberdeen South) (Con)]

1. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen Wales’s place in the Union.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen Wales’s place in the Union.

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen Wales’s place in the Union.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Kinnock]

I thank the hon. Gentleman and agree with him that being part of our United Kingdom is of tremendous benefit to Wales. Just look at the investment that the UK Government have been putting in. I mentioned steel, but there has also been £2.5 billion for the Wylfa nuclear project and £500 million through the local growth fund—the list goes on and on. I absolutely agree with his assessment that it is about building a stronger Wales in a stronger United Kingdom.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

A strength of the Union is unity in diversity. Notwithstanding much progress since 2010, the last two years have seen a diminution in the number of Welsh speakers in Wales, particularly among young people. Does the Minister have a plan to nip that in the bud and stop it becoming a trend?

[Stephen Kinnock]

We are tremendously proud of our Welsh language. I am certainly signing up to improve mine—from what I am embarrassed to admit is a relatively low base. I enjoy learning languages, so I will be doing that. Generally speaking, we need to ensure that the trend towards Welsh medium and Welsh language across our education system continues, and that those who are committed to the diversity of which the right hon. Gentleman speaks also commit to learning the Welsh language.