Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the unity of the United Kingdom, prompted by discussions in Wales regarding devolution and potential independence sentiments.
What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the Union. This comes as there are growing calls for referendums on Scottish and Welsh independence following recent polling data indicating support levels up to 40% in Wales.
As the vaccine roll-out has shown, our four nations are safer, stronger and more prosperous together, and I look forward to the people of Wales giving a resounding endorsement of the Union at the Senedd elections in May.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps or actions being taken by the Department to strengthen the Union; rather referenced the vaccine roll-out and upcoming elections.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
This question follows comments by the Labour First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, regarding perceived aggressive attacks on devolution. Current polling suggests high levels of support for independence.
Will the Secretary of State respect the democratic rights of people in Wales and Scotland to have a post-pandemic independence referendum if pro-independence majorities are achieved in May?
I think the First Minister has been pretty reckless in trying to inject an air of uncertainty into these discussions, and most of us realise that he is only doing so because his only chance of remaining as First Minister post May is to do some kind of a deal with Plaid Cymru; and we know what the price of that would be.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether democratic rights for referendums will be respected, instead criticising the First Minister's comments.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Follow-up to previous question about strengthening the Union, seeking specific examples of benefits Wales receives as part of UK.
Will my right hon. Friend explain what benefits to Wales being a member of our United Kingdom brings?
We could spend the rest of the morning listing the benefits, but I refer my hon. Friend to the Budget only a few days ago, with £4.8 million for the Holyhead hydrogen hub, £30 million for the global centre of rail excellence, the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund and £450 million community ownership fund. I could go on and on, but the benefits are numerous.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the levelling-up fund affecting local authorities' ability to bid for funding based on MP numbers, potentially reducing Wales's influence in Westminster.
Today, work begins on reducing Wales's voice in Westminster from 40 MPs to 32. At the same time, the levelling-up fund will make local authorities' ability to bid for funding dependent on—the number of MPs in their areas. How does he condone taking such power away from the people of Wales in the name of pork barrel politics?
The right hon. Lady needs to read up on the notes on the subject. What she has described is nothing resembling the truth. The levelling-up fund is a fantastic opportunity for Wales, as is the community renewal fund. It involves local authorities and local stakeholders in a way that she should welcome. This will involve local communities in a way that they have never been involved before, and she should welcome that.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the issue of reducing Wales's voice or the fund's impact on local authorities' bidding capabilities, instead focusing on opportunities for funding.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the area's limited European aid despite significant deprivation, seeking to understand how levelling-up and community renewal funds will benefit specific projects.
Vale of Glamorgan received a tiny amount of European aid over the past 20 years despite having areas of significant deprivation. Can my right hon. Friend reassure me that the levelling-up fund and the community renewal fund will apply to Vale of Glamorgan—we have been ignored up until now—and that exciting projects such as Barry marina, St Athan train station and the Dinas Powys bypass could now become possible because of Union support?
Who would ever dare ignore the efforts of my right hon. Friend? He is absolutely right that the local authority in his area will now have a chance to bid in a way that it never could before, and to bid with the strong and vigorous support that he provides. I think this is going to be a golden age for the vale.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific assurances or detailed plans but promised an opportunity to bid with local authority support.
Response accuracy