Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Jones Excerpts

Wednesday 16th December 2020 Commons Chamber

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on the UK shared prosperity fund.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on the UK shared prosperity fund.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (David T. C. Davies)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with the First Minister and Welsh Ministers on a range of issues, including the UK shared prosperity fund.

[Ruth Jones]

Nadolig llawen i chi, Mr Speaker.

We have heard a lot from the Minister about the shared prosperity fund this morning, but I am still none the wiser on the details. What guarantees can the Minister provide that the long-awaited shared prosperity fund will provide no reduction in moneys received by the Welsh Government compared with current structural funding? What guarantees can the Minister provide that it will be the Welsh Government who decide how the money is allocated in Wales?

[David T. C. Davies]

We have already made the commitment that the amount of money will match everything that came from Europe. Previously, the European Union held the strings and controlled how the money was spent; now, it will be the UK Government working in partnership with local authorities and the Welsh Government to ensure that the money is spent wisely.