Oral Answers to Questions

Johanna Baxter Excerpts

Wednesday 11th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dame Nia Griffith]

I should just remind the House that we did maintain the triple lock, which gave pensioners a boost of over £400 this spring. As the right hon. Gentleman well knows, pensioners will again benefit from the winter fuel allowance.

[Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)]

6. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to create new jobs in Wales.

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South and South Bedfordshire) (Lab)]

11. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to create new jobs in Wales.

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

Since July, we have driven over £1.5 billion of private investment into Wales, delivering hundreds of jobs. Last month, I was delighted to welcome Knauf Insulation’s new £170 million investment in Shotton. Our Welsh freeports and investment zones will unlock further private investment and deliver tens of thousands of jobs across all four corners of Wales. Last month, Lloyds Bank reported a significant increase in Welsh business confidence, and our industrial strategy will provide further confidence to invest in Wales.

[Johanna Baxter]

This Labour Government are creating good, well-paid jobs across the whole of the UK, including in my Paisley and Renfrewshire South constituency. Will the Secretary of State explain what she is doing, in collaboration with Cabinet colleagues, to ensure that those new jobs are well paid and have good terms and conditions?

[Jo Stevens]

My hon. Friend is right to highlight the Labour Government’s record of creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the UK. In Wales, we have two Labour Governments working together to create new jobs in our green industries, advanced manufacturing and more. I hope that Scotland also gets to experience the benefit of two Labour Governments working in partnership when the Scottish National party is resigned to the wilderness at next year’s election.