Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 22766 on Crown Estates: Wales and with reference to the Answer by the First Minister of Wales to the Question from Rhun ap Iorwerth MS of 21 January 2025, for what reason the First Minister said that there had been discussions on devolving the Crown Estate to Wales.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government at official and ministerial level on a range of issues. This has included a request from the Welsh Government that the UK Government considers devolution of the management of The Crown Estate in Wales.
As set out in the answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 22766: Crown Estates: Wales, the UK Government and Welsh Government have not entered discussions to take forward the devolution of The Crown Estate in Wales. However, the matter has been discussed at Ministerial level.
Whilst we acknowledge the policy position of the Welsh Government put forward during discussions, as previously set out, the UK Government does not believe devolution of the Crown Estate is currently in the best interests of Wales as it could fragment the energy market, complicate existing processes, and potentially delay grid connectivity reform as well as the further development of offshore energy. Together this gives rise to concerns it would delay progress towards net zero and undermine investment in Welsh waters.
We will continue to engage constructively with the Welsh Government on a wide range of topics relevant to the operation of the devolution settlement, including how to ensure that The Crown Estate works in the interests of Wales.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
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 Ofgem's decision to allow a pause in new grid connections on the ability of the (a) Alaw Môn and (b) Maen Hir energy projects to connect to the grid.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Grid connections for individual projects are a matter for the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the network companies.
The short pause on connection applications for generation customers is a necessary transitional step in delivering fundamental connections reforms that, if approved by Ofgem, could reduce the connections queue by up to half and will enable accelerated connections for many generation and demand projects. The pause does not apply to demand projects or to projects connecting to the distribution network which do not require Transmission Impact Assessment.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government reviews the rate of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) annually as part of the uprating process. We are committed to building our understanding of how our plans to strengthen SSP, announced in our Plan to Make Work Pay, will impact employers and employees alike.
Through the Employment Rights Bill we are removing the Waiting Period so that SSP is payable from the first day of sickness absence, and we are also removing the Lower Earnings Limit which will widen eligibility to the up to 1.3 million employees who are currently not entitled to SSP.
Many employers choose to go further than paying the statutory minimum and provide more financial support to their employees during a sickness absence. Around 60% of all employees eligible to receive such contractual sick pay. Those who need additional financial support while off sick may be able to receive more help through the welfare system such as Universal Credit, depending on their individual circumstances.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on devolving management of the Crown Estate to Wales.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The UK Government has had no discussions with the Welsh Government on devolving the Crown Estate.
The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term.
Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish details of any plans held by his Department for the development of a nuclear power station at Wylfa.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Nuclear (GBN) completed its purchase of the sites at Wylfa (in Ynys Mon / Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in June 2024.
As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, and is now owned by GBN , we want Wylfa to play an important role in new nuclear in the UK. The Government is examining the legacy left to us by the previous government and decisions have yet to be taken on projects and technologies to be deployed at specific sites. As GBN progress the Small Modular Reactor competition toward final decisions in the spring, we will set out our plans in due course.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment has he made of the potential impact of the UK-Colombia bilateral agreement for the promotion and protection of investments, published in June 2014, on (a) climate change and (b) human rights.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I refer the Hon. Member for Ynys Môn to my response to Question 12968 on 12th November 2024.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on funding improvements to Holyhead train station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has assessed the potential merits of nationalising the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe during its negotiations on that matter.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As part of the Government's responsible approach to policy and decision-making, we have considered the merits of nationalising British Steel and made an estimate of the cost. That estimate is confidential for commercial reasons. However, the Government has no plans to nationalise British Steel.
We are developing a steel strategy, working in partnership with trade unions and industry to grow the steel sector in the UK. This government has identified up to £2.5bn (on top of the £500mn secured for Port Talbot) to support the steel industry.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an estimate of the cost of nationalising the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As part of the Government's responsible approach to policy and decision-making, we have considered the merits of nationalising British Steel and made an estimate of the cost. That estimate is confidential for commercial reasons. However, the Government has no plans to nationalise British Steel.
We are developing a steel strategy, working in partnership with trade unions and industry to grow the steel sector in the UK. This government has identified up to £2.5bn (on top of the £500mn secured for Port Talbot) to support the steel industry.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent progress her Department has made on reviewing the outline business case for Anglesey Freeport; and whether she plans to make a decision on this in 2024.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Officials have been working with the Freeport and with the Welsh Government to take forward the Freeport’s business case and we will be in a position to provide further updates shortly.