Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fiscal Settlement

Wednesday 19 May 2021 · 2 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated the fiscal settlement delivers for Wales, providing almost 19 billion in block grant funding.
  • Welsh Government will receive 1 billion more than previously agreed as a fair settlement for Wales.
  • Trade deal with Australia has not been signed, though NFU welcomed the principle of a trade deal while expressing some concerns about details.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deidre Brock SNP
Economy Wales
Context

No specific incident mentioned, but context is around the fairness and adequacy of funding for Welsh Government in current fiscal year.

Question

What recent discussions have you had with the Welsh Government on the adequacy of the fiscal settlement?

Answer from David Davies

This fiscal settlement delivers for Wales. This year, the Welsh Government will receive almost £19 billion of block grant funding, which is £1 billion more than was agreed with the Welsh Labour Government as being a fair settlement for Wales.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Deidre Brock SNP
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concern about potential negative effects of a zero-tariff trade deal with Australia on Welsh and Scottish farmers.

Question

The fiscal settlement will not matter all that much if the possible trade deal with Australia goes through with a zero-tariff regime, which would cause serious difficulties for Welsh and indeed Scottish farmers. What compensation for those farmers is being built into the fiscal settlement, should this latest gung-ho trade deal scupper their livelihoods?

Answer from David Davies

No trade deal has been signed yet, but yesterday I was on a call with National Farmers Union representatives, who said that they welcomed the principle of a trade deal. They have a few concerns about some of the details, and we will continue our discussions with the NFU and with farmers. But I am surprised at the hon. Lady, who I think was in favour of having a free trade deal with the European Union. Why would she not want to have a free trade deal with a country with which we all—and she and I personally—have very close links indeed?

Not addressed: Specific compensation measures for farmers if the Australia trade deal negatively impacts them

How: Changing Subject To Surprise At Mp'S Previous Stance

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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