Devolved Authorities: Use of Resources

Lord Jones of Penybont Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I appreciate the question that the noble Baroness has asked, but I think that the one thing that should focus our minds, besides the outcome of what the Supreme Court said, is what the Scottish Government should do, and we all should be doing, in the best interests of all the Scottish people. That must be to secure growth to make sure that the support that we have for our cities, our people and the NHS is for all the people in Scotland. It would be great to see the Scottish Government and the UK Government work closely together to ensure that that happens.

[Lord Jones of Penybont (Lab)]

My Lords, as the former head of a devolved Government, at a time when co-operation between Governments across this island was rare and when a UK Government towards the end of their life became very fond of imposition through the UK Subsidy Control Act and the UK Internal Market Act, I welcome the new relationship between London and Cardiff. With that in mind, will the Minister outline what the UK Government are doing, working with the Welsh Government, to deliver for the people of Wales?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. I have already mentioned some of the things that the Labour Government have done, but two areas that might be of interest to the House are what is happening in Port Talbot, and the electric arc furnaces. In the Autumn Budget 2024, the UK Government confirmed £80 million funding for the Port Talbot transition board. The funding will support local businesses that are heavily reliant on Tata Steel, and their primary customers. On 11 September last year, this Government announced that they had agreed an improved deal with Tata Steel towards the transformation of Port Talbot steelworks. This improved deal secures 5,000 jobs, ensures that workers have enhanced support during the transition period and delivers a 1.5% reduction in the UK’s greenhouse emissions.