Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Welsh Businesses

Wednesday 3 February 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided Welsh businesses with wide-ranging support including 1.5 billion in bounce back loans and over 60 trade deals.
  • Secretary of State is working closely with DEFRA to address the issue of Welsh mountain sheep's wool procurement.
  • Secretary of State defends his role in managing the relationship between the Treasury and the Welsh Government, despite delays in the final financial settlement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Howell
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the economic well-being of Welsh businesses post-COVID-19 and during Brexit.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support Welsh businesses, noting wide-ranging financial support but asking for further details on building back better and leveraging trade agreements?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Government have provided Welsh businesses with wide-ranging support, including £1.5 billion in bounce back loans and more than 60 trade deals secured by the Department for International Trade. A dedicated team is being put into Wales to deal with these matters.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Paul Howell
Wales Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the financial viability of Welsh mountain sheep's wool, selling at 30p a kilo but costing 50p to bring to market. She wrote to the Prime Minister six months ago asking for support.

Question

It costs British Wool 50p a kilo to bring Welsh mountain sheep's wool to market where it sells for only 30p a kilo. I wrote to the Prime Minister six months ago to ask what he was doing to boost this fantastic Welsh product now that his Government are responsible for procurement. Why is home procurement not woven into every relevant UK Government-funded public project contract by now?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Secretary of State acknowledges the issue and confirms they are working closely with DEFRA on this matter, noting that home procurement is top of the Government's agenda.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific implementation details

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Taxation Wales
Context

The MP is concerned about the delay in receiving a final financial settlement from the UK Government, causing uncertainty over funding for Welsh businesses and public services.

Question

Almost a month has gone by, Wales is still waiting for a reply on their final financial settlement. This has created unnecessary doubt over the date of the Welsh Budget and will handicap our response to the pandemic. What is the point of his office if he cannot even persuade his colleagues in the Treasury to speak to the Welsh Government?

Answer from Simon Hart

The relationship between the Treasury and the Welsh Government has been conducted on a daily basis with vast sums of money being made available, but the Secretary of State defends his role against criticism.

Not addressed: Specific actions to address delays

How: Defends Role Against Criticism

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of DEFRA advice and EU ban on shellfish exports from Wales, affecting a traditional industry.

Question

Cockle-gathering in both north and south Wales is not just a job but a way of life. Gatherers are alarmed at DEFRA advice that they could not resume the export of shellfish until April and feel betrayed by UK Ministers knowing all along about the indefinite ban on importing non-decorated UK shellfish. What urgent actions will the Secretary of State and his Government take to facilitate the resumption of shellfish exports?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Secretary of State is in close contact with DEFRA, Cabinet Office, and EU officials to distinguish between teething issues and structural matters, assuring the industry that challenges are being seized.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific urgent actions

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about small businesses in Cardiff North struggling with Brexit-related red tape, leading to the destruction of thousands of pounds of stock for a local export meat business.

Question

Small businesses in Cardiff North and across the country are struggling with impossible red tape due to this Government's eleventh-hour Brexit deal. A local family export meat business has had its produce turned away in Italy, leading to thousands of pounds of stock being destroyed. Can the Secretary of State clarify what urgent actions he and his colleagues are taking to resolve these issues?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Secretary of State is willing to meet with the MP and her constituent to address their specific problems. He challenges the readiness point made more generally, noting stakeholder support for a positive relationship.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)