Llinos Medi

Adoption of new digital technology, including AI, can help businesses become more productive – but we know Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sometimes need additional help and support to do so.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan set out a vision for AI to drive economic growth, including through investment. InnovateUK’s BridgeAI programme helps businesses in high growth potential sectors harness AI, offering funding opportunities and expert advice.

To go further, the industry-led SME Digital Adoption Taskforce will soon be publishing their final recommendations on ways to help SMEs adopt productivity-enhancing digital technology, which will inform our upcoming SME Strategy.

Adoption of technologies like cybersecurity is important to protect businesses and increase productivity.

The National Cyber Security Centre publishes a range of expert guidance, including the Small Business Guide, which contains practical and affordable advice for businesses to improve their cybersecurity. Small businesses can also benefit from advice and support from the regional Cyber Resilience Centres across England and Wales, which are a police-led collaboration with government, private sector and academia.

The industry-led SME Digital Adoption Taskforce will soon publish recommendations on ways to increase SME adoption of digital technology like cybersecurity software. These will inform our upcoming SME Strategy.

Businesses can access complementary, comprehensive support services from both the Department for Business and Trade and the Welsh Government. We work closely with Welsh Government counterparts to improve trading conditions. My department will host a flagship export roadshow in Cardiff on 13 June, focused on the technology sector to help businesses grow.

Our landmark deals with the United States and India will improve Welsh business access to important markets. Our new agreement with the European Union will support businesses, backing British jobs. Welsh businesses will benefit significantly from this deal, given 61% of all Welsh goods exports went to EU destinations in 2024.

We continue to work closely with the Welsh Government to monitor the impacts, and to support Welsh exporters. Additionally on 3 April, we launched a Request for Input from businesses, to help inform the UK’s response to US tariffs.

We continue to support businesses of all sizes to grow and export globally, including to the US. Through Great.gov.uk, businesses can access export support programmes including the Export Academy, International Markets Network, Growth Hubs and Help to Grow: Management scheme.

We know that this is a concerning time for automotive businesses in Wales. Last year, Wales exported £89 million worth of road vehicles to the US, which accounted for 14% of its total road vehicle exports. That is why the government has been focused on negotiating an economic deal with the US, and we remain committed to these discussions.

We are resolute in our support for industry across the whole of the UK, and we will continue to engage with businesses to assess and understand the impact of these tariffs. In addition, on 3 April the government launched a Request for Input from businesses to help inform the UK's response to US tariffs.

Yes, in the meantime I am covering nuclear as part of my portfolio. The appointment of Ministers is a matter for my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister.

Solar power is at the heart of our clean power mission. It is clean, cheap, and reliable.

All projects are subject to a rigorous planning process, in which the views and interests of local communities are considered.

The Hitachi-owned Horizon took the decision to withdraw from the nuclear new build project at Wylfa in September 2020. Any and all discussions undertaken by the previous government with Hitachi concerning the financing of the proposed Horizon project at Wylfa are commercially sensitive and confidential.

Over this Parliament the Government will be working relentlessly to translate the much cheaper wholesale costs of clean power into lower bills for consumers. This will be core to every decision we make.

This is a complex issue and decisions will be made which must be informed by robust research and analysis. We will ensure we keep fairness and affordability at the forefront of our minds throughout this process.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussion with the Devolved Administrations on a wide range of issues.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. We have recently consulted on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households on a qualifying means-tested benefit into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The consultation closed on 24 March and DESNZ is considering the responses received

I have been clear with suppliers that they should do all that they can to support their customers – including vulnerable consumers – who may be struggling with their bills. I would urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support.

The Government is continuing to work with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure energy bills remain fair and affordable while we transition to clean power by 2030.

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration is industry-led. The Department works closely with other departments, including the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Welsh Government, to ensure that local authorities and vulnerable customers are protected and prepared for the migration.

On 18 November 2024, the Government published guidance for local authorities on the migration. Local authorities have been asked to sign data sharing agreements with communication providers on telecare and vulnerable customers. Over 85% of local authorities that provide telecare have an agreement with at least one communication provider.

Industry are leading and funding a National Telecare Campaign to support identifying vulnerable customers. Welsh language will be used in broadcast and printed adverts.

DCMS recognises that the cruise sector makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, namely £9.4 billion and supporting 82,000 jobs pre-pandemic. As a new government we are reviewing the composition and terms of reference of the Tourism Industry Council with the aim of securing broad and diverse representation from a variety of industries and delivering clear outcomes for the sector.

I pay tribute to the vital efforts of foster carers, who carry out a challenging role that requires skill, dedication and love. This government’s investments in foster care will recruit hundreds more new foster families and strengthen support to retain existing carers to improve the life chances of thousands of children.

Health workers and teachers are classed as either workers or employees in law. Our assessment is that worker or employee status would not be appropriate for the family-centred nature of foster care, in which foster carers are committed to children as if they were their own. Instead of care being provided by staff in an institutional framework, children are provided with support and nurture in a loving family home.

We are committed to reviewing our guidance and working with the sector to improve the support that foster carers receive.

The Children Act 1989 and subsequent statutory guidance (Vol. 4: Fostering Services) set out strong safeguards to protect foster carers from unfair treatment, including the requirement for fostering services to have a complaints procedure and whistleblowing policy.

The UK Government works closely with the Devolved Governments on a range of border issues, however this specific issue is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

The UK Government works closely with the Devolved Governments on a range of border issues, however this specific issue is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

The Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund will be investing £360 million over the next 12 years. As part of that fund Ministers committed to working closely with the industry and local communities in order to ensure investment is targeted to where it is needed most. As part of that planned engagement we will work closely with Devolved Governments.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) supports the use of low carbon fuels in surface transport, including specific non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). While hydrogen fuel cell generators are not currently covered by the definition of non-road mobile machinery, renewable electrolytic hydrogen used in fuel cells is supported under the RTFO when used in a range of transport modes, including road vehicles, trains, maritime and inland waterway vessels.

Small but growing volumes of hydrogen have been supplied under the scheme in recent years.

As part of a statutory review of the RTFO, the Department for Transport recently ran a Call for Evidence covering both the past performance and future of the scheme. Government is currently considering the responses submitted, including on hydrogen fuel cell generators, before publishing a summary of responses and setting out next steps.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) supports the use of low carbon fuels in surface transport, including specific non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). While hydrogen fuel cell generators are not currently covered by the definition of non-road mobile machinery, renewable electrolytic hydrogen used in fuel cells is supported under the RTFO when used in a range of transport modes, including road vehicles, trains, maritime and inland waterway vessels.

Small but growing volumes of hydrogen have been supplied under the scheme in recent years.

As part of a statutory review of the RTFO, the Department for Transport recently ran a Call for Evidence covering both the past performance and future of the scheme. Government is currently considering the responses submitted, including on hydrogen fuel cell generators, before publishing a summary of responses and setting out next steps.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) supports the use of low carbon fuels in surface transport, including specific non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). While hydrogen fuel cell generators are not currently covered by the definition of non-road mobile machinery, renewable electrolytic hydrogen used in fuel cells is supported under the RTFO when used in a range of transport modes, including road vehicles, trains, maritime and inland waterway vessels.

Small but growing volumes of hydrogen have been supplied under the scheme in recent years.

As part of a statutory review of the RTFO, the Department for Transport recently ran a Call for Evidence covering both the past performance and future of the scheme. Government is currently considering the responses submitted, including on hydrogen fuel cell generators, before publishing a summary of responses and setting out next steps.

No such discussions have taken place recently. Holyhead Station is managed by Transport for Wales who are answerable to Welsh Ministers. Regular discussions between the UK and Welsh Governments on rail improvements take place via the Wales Rail Board.

Affordability of rail travel is one of our key objectives. However, any concessions made to rail fares policy must balance benefits for certain groups against the impacts on taxpayers. Currently there are no plans for offering a discounted railcard for NHS and other key workers.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) closed the Holyhead Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Centre (AC) as part of the Functional Assessment Services (FAS) strategy to bring together all functional health assessment services in a geographical area under one supplier. Consolidating the Holyhead PIP AC into the Work Capability Assessment & Specialist Benefit site in Bangor ensures that all health benefits will be assessed in the same building; this contributes to an easier customer experience when applying for multiple health benefits.

DWP is committed to ensuring that everyone can access our services without facing any disadvantages. We have various measures in place to make sure our assessments are accessible to all, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. DWP meets legal accessibility requirements by ensuring our services are accessible to everyone.

We consider the specific needs of individuals who require a particular assessment method due to their health condition or circumstances. At every stage of the claim process, individuals are asked to inform us of any mobility restrictions. If the assessment provider is made aware of these restrictions, they will consider arranging the most appropriate assessment channel.

As part of the FAS process, we first consider the feasibility of a paper-based assessment. If a paper-based review isn't possible, individuals will be invited to an assessment.

If a customer requires a face-to-face assessment and the journey time to the assessment centre exceeds 90 minutes, individuals may be directed to an alternative centre within the 90-minute travel time if one is available. This ensures that claimants travel no more than 90 minutes (one way) by public transport to their assessments. This 90-minute figure is the maximum, and in most cases, travel time will be much shorter. If travel time exceeds 90 minutes by public transport, we can utilise alternative channels, such as using telephone, video, or home assessments, or assisting with travel costs for taxis.

The average household income of families in receipt of Personal Independence Payment in the UK and in Wales is shown in the table below:

This data is available publicly on the Stat Xplore website (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/) under the Family Resources Survey folder, in the Household dataset (2022-23).

Please note:

- Average household income is estimated based on sample data from the Family Resources Survey (FRS).

- The data uses grossing factors based on 2011 Census data, so caution should be exercised when making comparisons with published reports and tables prior to 2012-13.

- Relative to administrative records, the FRS is known to under-report State Support and benefit receipt. Please refer to the M6A and M6B tables in the FRS Methodology and Standard Error data tables.

- In 2022-23, income from Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, Disability Cost of Living Payment, low-income benefits and tax credits Cost of Living Payment, Council Tax energy rebate, Energy Bills Support Scheme, Warm Home Discount and Welsh Fuel Support Scheme is included.

- From 2021-22 income from directors’ dividends has been included in this data.