Devolution Settlement 2021-09-15

2021-09-15

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Discussions about how UK and Welsh governments use their powers to deliver for Wales.
What recent discussions has the Secretary of State had with the First Minister of Wales on the adequacy of the operation of the devolution settlement?
My discussions with the First Minister and his ministerial team are focused on how our respective Governments can use the powers at our disposal to deliver jobs and economic growth for Wales.
Assessment & feedback
The effectiveness of the devolution settlement was not directly addressed.
Focused On Delivering Jobs And Growth Instead Of Discussing The Adequacy
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns about delays caused by UK Ministers for Welsh councils' community fund renewal projects.
Why have Welsh councils still not had a response on community fund renewal projects that are supposed to be completed by March 2022? If the Secretary of State and his ministerial colleagues cannot do the business, they should get off the pot.
In the last 18 months or more, I have spoken to numerous individuals, charities, churches, universities, the private and public sectors, businesses, investors—you name them, we have spoken to them. Not a single one has raised the concerns that the hon. Gentleman raises this morning. They are committed to the economic recovery plans that we are talking about, and, as I said in answer to a previous question, if all these question sessions do is relegate these exchanges to some kind of cheap political point scoring, we will not make the progress that he seeks.
Assessment & feedback
Delay in responding to community fund renewal projects was not directly addressed.
Redirecting To Economic Recovery Plans Accusation Of Political Point Scoring
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
Landslips last year caused concerns about coal tip safety, and there are currently 2,000 coal tips with 300 classified at high risk.
What discussion has the Secretary of State had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the forthcoming spending review to ensure that sustainable funding is provided to deal with the legacy of the coal tips?
I think I caught most of that question, but the hon. Lady will no doubt recall that the UK Government put over £30 million into coal tip renewal and coal tip safety issues. It was the UK Government who joined forces with the Welsh Government to make sure that that approach was collegiate and addressed all the concerns that were raised, including those that fall into the devolved space just as much as the reserved space. If she wants an example of the UK Government and the Welsh Government working together and the Treasury picking up the tab, that issue is a perfect example.
Assessment & feedback
Specifics on future funding were not provided, only past actions mentioned.
Highlighting Past Efforts Instead Of Discussing Upcoming Spending Review
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Welsh Government published a statement on the national grid's evolution, but construction of 132 kV lines is under UK competence.
Will the Secretary of State pull Ofgem and the operators together to build and evolve the national grid, with consensus from the people of mid-Wales?
I can go a little further than that, having spoken to the Busines Secretary on this topic only yesterday evening. My hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Craig Williams) raises a very important point, especially around where the devolution settlement and reserved responsibilities sit. It is absolutely right to raise that but it is also fair to say that an issue of that significance will require a UK-wide approach and, of course, the views and responsibilities of the Welsh Government will be taken very seriously in those discussions.
Assessment & feedback
Details on convening stakeholders were not given.
Acknowledging Point But Avoiding Specifics
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
All devolved Governments in the UK have asked for the universal credit cut to be cancelled.
If the devolution settlement is to work, the UK Government have to match their rhetoric on the respect agenda. Given that all devolved Governments in the UK have asked the UK Government to cancel the cut to universal credit, can the Secretary of State say that he made that representation to his Cabinet colleagues?
I barely caught a single word of that, but on the basis that I have heard the hon. Gentleman's views on this subject before, I will simply repeat my views and observations. Over the past 18 months during the covid pandemic, there has been a very analytical look at what works and what does not work in the devolution settlement by businesses, employers, wealth creators, investors, universities, churches and members of the public. I have to say that this fixation with the niceties of the devolution settlement is not reflected by businesses in Wales at the moment.
Assessment & feedback
Whether a representation was made regarding universal credit cut was not addressed.
Claiming Inability To Understand Question Redirecting To Broader Views On Devolution
Response accuracy