Infrastructure Investment 2022-07-06

2022-07-06

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
John Lamont Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Context
The MP asked about steps being taken to support infrastructure investment in Wales.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support infrastructure investment in Wales?
This Government are committed to levelling up across Wales. That is why we are investing over £340 million in Welsh rail and £120 million through the levelling-up fund in Wales in round one alone, and Wales will benefit from the UK-wide £5 billion Project Gigabit to connect hard-to-reach premises.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
John Lamont Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Context
The MP asked for an update on efforts to ensure every part of the UK can enjoy investment from the Government.
It is of the utmost importance that every part of these islands can enjoy investment from this United Kingdom Government. Can the Secretary of State update the House on what he and the rest of the Government are doing to achieve that aim in Wales and across the whole United Kingdom?
I found it quite hard to hear my hon. Friend's comments, but I can say that we believe there are really positive steps in terms of sustainable job creation in Wales through the various different funding measures, in particular the UK's shared prosperity fund, which is currently in lift-off. Levelling up is devolution in action. We get a lot of criticism from the Opposition Benches about the Welsh Government's being bypassed, but we are going to 22 local authorities and stakeholders in a way that has never previously been done.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures not addressed
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The MP asked about the promised £30 million investment for a rail testing facility.
When will the UK Government provide the £30 million they promised so that this world-class rail facility can be completed by 2025?
I am delighted that the hon. Lady raises that absolutely perfect example of the Welsh and UK Governments working in tandem, creating new, innovative, sustainable jobs in her constituency and in adjacent areas. It is a £30 million investment and I am delighted that she is welcoming it in the way that we should be.
Assessment & feedback
Timeline for £30 million investment not provided
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The MP asked about upgrading Milford Haven train station as a levelling-up fund bid.
Does the Secretary of State agree that a project to upgrade Milford Haven train station would be an ideal round 2 levelling-up fund bid, and will he look favourably on any such bid from Pembrokeshire County Council?
My right hon. Friend and neighbour has raised the question of Milford Haven station a few times, and I am no stranger to it either. Although I am not allowed to express a preference for individual levelling-up bids, that is precisely the type of infrastructure improvement bid that the levelling-up fund was created for, so if he and the local authority can put together some compelling evidence, I am sure that those who are in a position to judge it will look on it favourably.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to support specific bid
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Jo Stevens Lab
Cardiff East
Context
The MP criticized the Government for not following through on promises to support infrastructure.
Despite Ministers' promises on supporting infrastructure investment in Wales, we all know that the reality is very different. He will not challenge his Government's sleight of hand in denying the consequential of £4.6 billion to Wales from HS2, nor the annual £150 million hit that that will have on the Welsh economy.
It is telling that the hon. Lady did not mention the increasing levels—the record levels—of investment that the UK Government have made in Wales, which, from £16.7 billion in 2021, will reach £19.08 billion by 2024-25. Whichever areas of investment we look at, despite her claims to the contrary, they are considerably greater than they have been at any time since the devolution settlement, resulting in extra jobs, extra investment and extra reasons to celebrate what Wales has to offer.
Assessment & feedback
Criticism of opposition's negativity rather than addressing promised investments
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Liz Saville-Roberts PC
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Context
The MP criticized the Secretary of State for not getting a Welsh location as a candidate for Great British Railways headquarters.
Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York: that is the shortlist of cities for the headquarters of Great British Railways. The Secretary of State failed to get a single Welsh location as a candidate. Is he not embarrassed at his dismal track record in Cabinet despite being a loyal Government spokesman?
I love it when the right hon. Lady, who is so determined to separate her country from the rest of the UK economy, lists a whole lot of stations and locations in England. There are either separatists or Unionists and I never know with her which side she is batting for. This is about our delivery in Wales, because in a sense she is asking me to choose between the Welsh Government and the UK Government.
Assessment & feedback
Criticism of opposition's alleged separatism rather than addressing headquarters location
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Liz Saville-Roberts PC
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Context
The outgoing Children's Minister has stated inaccuracies in media assurances, and the Secretary of State's Parliamentary Private Secretary has left. The questioner criticises the Secretary of State's defence of an extractive infrastructure that does not benefit Wales.
Time and again, the Secretary of State defends an extractive infrastructure for Wales that brings nothing back. Two Cabinet Ministers have gone, and his Parliamentary Private Secretary has gone—it is not business as usual. When will he be going?
We are getting on with the levelling-up fund, the community renewal fund and the shared prosperity fund. We have investment across every part of Wales, and being part of the Union is key to creating sustainable jobs in Wales.
Assessment & feedback
When will he be going?
Business As Usual Desire For Her To Join Efforts To Improve Life In Wales
Response accuracy