UK Government Funding for Wales 2023-01-18
2023-01-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Government's shared prosperity fund short-changes Wales by £1 billion over three years, despite promises to replace EU funds without reducing support.
I am concerned about the short-changing of Wales by the UK Government's shared prosperity fund by £1 billion over three years. This is despite repeated promises from the Secretary of State and his predecessors that Wales would receive not a penny less when replacing EU structural funds. These funds were used to deliver 5,000 apprenticeship years in Wales. Why is the Minister letting down young people in Wales?
The hon. Lady will know that the shared prosperity fund is extremely generous to Wales and replaces all the money that came from the European Union. There have been fantastic announcements in recent weeks about how the fund will progress. She will also know about an array of other funding schemes through UK Government, including the growth deal.
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Assessment & feedback
The shortfall and promise broken by £1 billion over three years was not addressed specifically.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
A Labour-run NHS in Wales has poor performance, and a new speed policy proposes to spend £32 million on a blanket 20 mph limit. This is seen as wasteful by the MP's constituents.
Despite receiving the largest devolution funding settlement, the Welsh Government has the worst performing Labour-run NHS. Instead of spending on what matters, they plan to spend £32 million on a 20 mile-an-hour blanket speed policy which will cost the economy £4.5 billion. Does my hon. Friend agree that this is another example of a Labour waste of money?
My hon. Friend is quite right that the policy is not a good way to spend money, and is not deliverable either.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Welsh Government has been shortchanged by the UK Government's shared prosperity fund, resulting in a double whammy due to record inflation. The higher education sector is shut out of levelling-up processes and faces job cuts.
As my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Dame Nia Griffith) has just reminded the House, the Secretary of State, the Minister and their predecessors repeatedly promised that Wales would receive “not a penny less” to replace EU structural funds to Wales. Not only have they failed to deliver on that promise, but record inflation has hit the Welsh Government's budget hard. Higher education has been excluded from levelling-up processes, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Why are his Government letting down people in Wales?
I joined the Secretary of State on a visit to Bangor University last week, highlighting the importance of funding mechanisms for higher education. There are various schemes through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy aimed at supporting the university sector in Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific shortfall and exclusion from levelling-up processes was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or figures.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Government's shared prosperity fund short-changes Wales by £1 billion over three years, despite promises to replace EU funds without reducing support.
As my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Dame Nia Griffith) has just reminded the House, the Secretary of State, the Minister and their predecessors repeatedly promised that Wales would receive “not a penny less” to replace EU structural funds to Wales. Not only have they failed to deliver on that promise, but record inflation has hit the Welsh Government's budget hard. Higher education has been shut out of levelling-up processes and faces job cuts. Why are his Government letting down people in Wales?
I joined the Secretary of State on a visit to Bangor University last week, highlighting the importance of funding mechanisms for higher education. There are various schemes through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy aimed at supporting the university sector in Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific shortfall and exclusion from levelling-up processes was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or figures.
Response accuracy