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

What steps her Department is taking to develop a future funding model for local councils in rural areas.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As the hon Member will be aware, Local Government is a devolved matter.

The government is absolutely committed to supporting rural communities.

This year’s Settlement saw places with a significant rural population on average receive almost a 6% cash increase in their Core Spending Power.

We are introducing an improved and updated approach from 2026-27, directing funding to where it is needed most.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of moving electricity bill levies into general taxation, in the context of average annual costs of household energy bills.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Energy levies support vital investment to secure the UK’s electricity system with homegrown, clean power. Through public and private investment, the Government is protecting billpayers from volatile international fossil fuel markets.

To help those that most need it, the Warm Home Discount provides a £150 discount off electricity bills to around 3 million households. The government has consulted on expanding the scheme to around 6 million households in total for winter 2025/26 and will respond to the consultation in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on reducing energy bills in Wales.

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

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of rebalancing policy levies between electric and gas bills.

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

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.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Spending Review 2025 on businesses in Wales.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Spending Review 2025 (SR25) delivers for businesses UK-wide, including across Wales. Public finance institutions will work in collaboration with the devolved governments and local stakeholders to invest in businesses and technologies, and drive growth across all the nations of the UK. The British Business Bank, National Wealth Fund, and Great British Energy are already investing in businesses across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The government is due to publish its modern Industrial Strategy setting out how the government will accelerate growth in eight growth-driving sectors and strengthen economic resilience across the UK.

The growth-driving sectors – advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services – are active across the regions and nations, each with their own specialisms. Supporting the success of these sectors, and the places where they are based, will be crucial in delivering high-quality jobs, new opportunities and higher living standards across the whole country.

Further detail on what SR25 delivers for businesses across the UK can be found at: Spending Review 2025 document - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the total value of the financial support was that the Government was prepared to offer Hitatchi to develop a new nuclear project at Wylfa in 2019.

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

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.

Three Dads Walking

Funding for training of professional journalists

Government policy on the Hillsborough Law

MG ALBA and global recognition for Gaelic broadcasting

Loan Charge and settlement terms offered to large companies and individuals

Wales Women's Team UEFA Women's Euro 2025

Safe Inside Prisons Charter

Protections for the welfare of wild animals in tourism

Recognition and support for the creator economy

Post Offices in rural areas

Parliamentary approval for UK military action against Iran

Air India crash

UK trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

PA Media Ltd parliamentary newswire coverage

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Human rights in Saudi Arabia

Unpaid Care Dashboard

School shooting in Graz

UK Government recognition of the state of Palestine

Fairtrade tea campaign

Reform of monetary limits on charity lotteries

Clean Air Day 2025

Israel’s interception of the British-flagged Madleen boat

Found: meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gill German; Simon Hoare; Llinos Medi

Found: meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Gill German; Simon Hoare; Llinos Medi

Found: Kane Antonia Bance Alison Taylor Johanna Baxter Ben Lake Maureen Burke Ms Polly Billington Llinos Medi

Found: Kane Antonia Bance Alison Taylor Johanna Baxter Ben Lake Maureen Burke Ms Polly Billington Llinos Medi

Found: Roberts Carla Denyer Mrs Sharon Hodgson Maya Ellis Dame Siobhain McDonagh Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello Rachel Gilmour Steve Witherden Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello Rachel Gilmour Steve Witherden Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Edward Morello Rachel Gilmour Steve Witherden Sarah Russell Claire Hanna Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Helen Hayes Dr Danny Chambers Neil Coyle Anneliese Midgley Jim Dickson Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Helen Hayes Dr Danny Chambers Neil Coyle Anneliese Midgley Jim Dickson Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Victoria Collins Steve Race Warinder Juss Chris Webb Helena Dollimore Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: Charlotte Cane Dame Caroline Dinenage Olly Glover Valerie Vaz Oliver Ryan Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi

Found: called_NC17 Gideon Amos Olly Glover Jess Brown-Fuller Tom Gordon Ben Maguire Vikki Slade Llinos Medi

Found: Smith Richard Tice James MacCleary Ellie Chowns Stephen Gethins Carla Lockhart Gavin Robinson Llinos Medi

Healthcare Workers APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Liberal Democrat Adrian Ramsay MP Green Jas Athwal MP Labour Ben Maguire MP Liberal Democrat Llinos Medi

Small Modular Reactors APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Baggy Shanker MP (Chair) Catherine Atkinson MP (Officer) Andrew Bowie MP (Officer) Llinos Medi

Small Modular Reactors APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Neville-Jones (Con), Andrew Bowie MP (Con, W Aberdeenshire & Kincardine), Baroness Bloomfield (Con), Llinos Medi