Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling-up Fund

Wednesday 17 March 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the levelling-up fund are focused on its benefits for Wales, including local infrastructure investment.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to meet and discuss projects in Clwyd South that align with the levelling-up fund requirements but was advised not to visit specific sites.
  • Fay Jones highlighted the importance of addressing broadband and mobile connectivity issues in Brecon and Radnorshire, alongside the levelling-up fund and the global centre for rail excellence.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Beth Winter
Wales Local Government
Context

The levelling up fund has been announced, prompting questions about its implementation and impact.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the levelling up fund?

Answer from David Davies

The levelling-up fund is unquestionably good news for Wales. It will ensure that millions of pounds is invested in Welsh local authorities, providing much-needed local infrastructure and driving up regeneration in left-behind places.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with the Chancellor not addressed

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Q2 Simon Baynes
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Exciting projects in Clwyd South such as Wrexham Council's regeneration plans and the reopening of Corwen station are being considered for funding.

Question

Would the Minister meet me about, and visit when possible, exciting projects in Clwyd South that fulfil the requirements of the levelling-up fund, such as Wrexham Council's bold regeneration plans and the reopening of Corwen station in Denbighshire on the Llangollen steam railway?

Answer from David Davies

I assure my hon. Friend that it is always a pleasure to meet him and hear about the enormous amount of hard work he is undertaking in his constituency. Unfortunately, I have been advised that it would not be appropriate for me to visit any specific project site, but I of course look forward to supporting him and other Members of Parliament who continue the work of using the funds being made available by the UK Government to drive forward regeneration in their constituencies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Visiting specific sites not appropriate according to advice

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Q3 Fay Jones
Economy Transport Environment
Context

Parts of Brecon and Radnorshire face substandard broadband and mobile coverage, impacting rural areas.

Question

I was delighted to see so much in the Budget for Brecon and Radnorshire. The levelling-up fund is extremely welcome, as is the commitment to the global centre for rail excellence in Coelbren in my constituency. However, parts of Brecon and Radnorshire are plagued by substandard broadband and mobile coverage. Could the Minister confirm that the levelling-up fund will make a genuine difference to structural problems like this that hold back rural areas such as mine?

Answer from David Davies

We expect that the levelling-up fund can be used to invest in community infrastructure right the way across the board. Of course, the UK gigabit programme will invest in broadband and the hardest-to-connect areas of the United Kingdom. I was also delighted, of course, with the news about the global centre for rail excellence—my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State pushed very hard for it—which is also going to be good news for the economy in that part of Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation on broadband issues not provided

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Q4 Beth Winter
Wales Local Government
Context

Concerns about the lack of local authority involvement and understanding of Welsh priorities.

Question

Given that the Welsh Government have worked with Welsh local authorities and other stakeholders to produce a framework for regional investment, can the Minister tell the House why Ministers at England's Housing Department, with no history of delivering within Wales and no record of working with communities in Wales or understanding their priorities, are the right people to be administering this so-called levelling-up fund in Wales? Is this the result of this Government's fixation with undermining democratic devolution?

Answer from David Davies

That was a rather disappointing question from the hon. Lady. The Chancellor has made £800 million available for the devolved Administrations across the United Kingdom and wants the UK Government to be able to work directly with local authorities and to hear about what their priorities are. I think it is absolutely fantastic that the Chancellor, as well as being able to deliver that £800 million, has found £740 million for the Welsh Government and has continued the support for businesses and individuals in Wales affected by the covid crisis.

Not addressed: Question about administration not directly addressed, focus shifted to positive aspects of funding

How: Dismissive Tone, Positive Framing

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