Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

The Union

Wednesday 17 March 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The vaccine roll-out has demonstrated the strength and prosperity of the United Kingdom's four nations when they work together.
  • The Secretary of State expressed skepticism towards the First Minister's intentions regarding injecting uncertainty into discussions about independence referendums.
  • The Secretary of State highlighted numerous financial benefits for Wales from the UK government, including funding for various projects and initiatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Wales Democracy & Elections
Context

The question arises from concerns about the unity of the United Kingdom, prompted by discussions in Wales regarding devolution and potential independence sentiments.

Question

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.

Answer from Simon Hart

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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Q2 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Scotland Wales Democracy & Elections
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Simon Hart

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.

Not addressed: Did not address whether democratic rights for referendums will be respected, instead criticising the First Minister's comments.

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Q3 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Economy Wales Local Government
Context

Follow-up to previous question about strengthening the Union, seeking specific examples of benefits Wales receives as part of UK.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend explain what benefits to Wales being a member of our United Kingdom brings?

Answer from Simon Hart

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.

Answered
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Q4 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Wales Local Government
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Simon Hart

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.

Not addressed: 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.

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Q5 Alun Cairns Con
Economy Local Government
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Simon Hart

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances or detailed plans but promised an opportunity to bid with local authority support.

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