Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Torfaen constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Torfaen. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes over 223,000 payments delivered in Torfaen through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 13,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £24 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £45 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans. The UK Government has also supported innovation within Torfaen with around £8.4 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019.
In addition, Torfaen County Borough Council, the local authority for the Torfaen constituency, is receiving over £24 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Torfaen is also receiving over £7 million from the Levelling Up Fund to deliver a cultural hub in Pontypool. Torfaen also benefits from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, including £1.5 million invested in the Pontypool and New Inn park and ride facility.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Vale of Clwyd constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Vale of Clwyd. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 200,000 payments delivered in Vale of Clwyd through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 11,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £23 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and around £62 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Vale of Clwyd with around £100,000 awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Vale of Clwyd has also received over £25,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities.
In addition, Denbighshire, the local authority for the Vale of Clwyd constituency, is receiving over £25 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Vale of Clwyd is also benefitting from over £300,000 for two Community Ownership Fund projects. Vale of Clwyd will also benefit from the £240 million North Wales Growth Deal.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Wrexham constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Wrexham. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 186,000 payments delivered in Wrexham through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 12,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £21 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £66 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Wrexham with over £1.6 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Wrexham has also received around £177,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities.
In addition, Wrexham County Borough Council, the local authority for the Wrexham constituency, is receiving over £22 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Wrexham is also receiving over £13 million from the Levelling Up Fund for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site and Dee Valley AONB. Wrexham will also benefit from the £240 million North Wales Growth Deal.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Vale of Glamorgan constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Vale of Glamorgan. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes over 277,000 payments delivered in Vale of Glamorgan through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 16,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £33 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £69 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Vale of Glamorgan with around £570,000 awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Vale of Glamorgan will also benefit from UK Government funding to refurbish public tennis courts across the UK.
In addition, Vale of Glamorgan Council, the local authority for the Vale of Glamorgan constituency, is receiving over £14 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Vale of Glamorgan will also benefit from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region, including a £36.4 million investment in a green energy park at the former Aberthaw power station.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Ynys Môn constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Ynys Môn. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 210,000 payments delivered in Ynys Môn through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 9,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £26 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and around £50 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Ynys Môn with around £1.2 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Ynys Môn has also received around £73,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities. Ynys Môn will also benefit from the Anglesey Freeport, backed by £26 million from UK Government. The Anglesey Freeport aims to attract £1.4 billion worth of investment in the green energy sector and create at least 3,500 jobs, generating half a billion in additional Gross Value Added by 2030. Our £20 million capital funding package will also support the renovation of the Victorian era breakwater at Port of Holyhead, securing passenger and trade flow through this crucial facility for the next 150 years.
In addition, Isle of Anglesey County Council, the local authority for the Ynys Mon constituency, is receiving over £16 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Anglesey is also receiving £17 million from the Levelling Up Fund to regenerate Holyhead town centre. Ynys Mon will also benefit from the £240 million North Wales Growth Deal.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department last discussed the Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme with the Northern Ireland Office.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Home Office and Northern Ireland Office Ministers and officials are in regular contact on a range of mutual interests, including the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department last discussed the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme with tourism agencies in Northern Ireland,.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Home Office officials last had discussion with tourism agencies in Northern Ireland and Ireland about the Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme on 7 June 2023.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to the Belfast East constituency.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
My Ministers and I regularly travel to Northern Ireland for a variety of engagements. The following are the most recent visits made by Northern Ireland Office Ministers to each constituency in Northern Ireland:
Belfast East - 28th June 2023
Belfast North - 7th June 2023
Belfast South - 16th June 2023
Belfast West - 16th April 2023
East Antrim - 15th June 2023
East Londonderry - 18th May 2023
Fermanagh and South Tyrone - 8th May 2023
Foyle - 18th May 2023
Lagan Valley - 25th May 2023
Mid Ulster - 8th September 2022
Newry & Armagh - 16th November 2022
North Antrim - 15th April 2023
North Down - 25th May 2023
South Antrim - 7th June 2023
South Down - 28th June 2023
Strangford - 27th January 2023
Upper Bann - 12th July 2023
West Tyrone - 7th March 2023
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of banning sky lanterns.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We commissioned new research to examine the impact on the environment of sky lanterns in order to further understand the risks they pose to the environment. The research concluded in the Spring, and we are considering next steps.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when a Minister from his Department last visited West Tyrone constituency.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
My Ministers and I regularly travel to Northern Ireland for a variety of engagements. The following are the most recent visits made by Northern Ireland Office Ministers to each constituency in Northern Ireland:
Belfast East - 28th June 2023
Belfast North - 7th June 2023
Belfast South - 16th June 2023
Belfast West - 16th April 2023
East Antrim - 15th June 2023
East Londonderry - 18th May 2023
Fermanagh and South Tyrone - 8th May 2023
Foyle - 18th May 2023
Lagan Valley - 25th May 2023
Mid Ulster - 8th September 2022
Newry & Armagh - 16th November 2022
North Antrim - 15th April 2023
North Down - 25th May 2023
South Antrim - 7th June 2023
South Down - 28th June 2023
Strangford - 15th August 2022
Upper Bann - 12th July 2023
West Tyrone - 7th March 2023