Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Funding Settlement

Wednesday 19 April 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Welsh Government is well funded with a record block grant of 18 billion, increasing by 180 million over two years.
  • The UK Government provides more NHS funding per capita than Wales, but Wales has longer waiting times and less access to treatment compared to England.
  • The Secretary of State declined to comment on proper healthcare provision for English tourists in Wales, citing that the NHS is devolved in Wales.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Wales
Context

The question arises due to concerns over the adequacy of funding provided by the UK Government to support Welsh services and infrastructure, which is seen as insufficient in light of inflation and economic challenges.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the funding settlement for Wales? The Welsh budget is worth £4 billion less than it was when first agreed due to inflation and mishandling of the economy. If the Government will not adequately finance devolved institutions, why not devolve reasonable borrowing powers?

Answer from David Davies

The Welsh Government are well funded with a record block grant of £18 billion, increasing by £180 million over two years. The funds were not clawed back; they managed to fail to spend £155 million during the pandemic. The UK Government is providing more NHS funding per capita than Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The adequacy of the funding settlement and devolving borrowing powers.

How: Acknowledging The Issue But Not Addressing The Specific Ask, Redirecting To Blame Welsh Government

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Q2 John McNally SNP
NHS Wales
Context

The UK Government has recently clawed back £155 million from the Welsh Government budget, leading to questions about its impact on Wales and whether it aligns with best interests.

Question

How does the Secretary of State justify the clawing back of £155 million from the Welsh Government budget when they failed to spend that amount during a pandemic?

Answer from David Davies

The money was not spent by the Welsh Government; they managed to fail to spend £155 million during a pandemic. The UK provides more NHS funding per capita than Wales, but Wales has longer waiting times and less access to treatment compared to England.

Not addressed: Justification for clawing back funds and the impact on Welsh healthcare.

How: Redirecting To Issues With Welsh Government Spending

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Q3 Patrick Grady SNP
Economy Wales Local Government
Context

The Welsh budget has been reduced in real terms due to inflation and economic mismanagement, prompting calls for more financial flexibility through borrowing powers.

Question

Given the reduction in the Welsh budget by £4 billion due to inflation and poor management, why will the Government not devolve reasonable borrowing powers?

Answer from David Davies

If I want lessons in sound financial management, I would ask someone other than the Scottish National Party. The Welsh Labour Government has had real-terms spending increases but fails to deliver healthcare and education standards comparable to England's.

Not addressed: Devolution of borrowing powers and adequacy of funding for Wales.

How: Criticizing The Scottish National Party

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Q4 Virginia Crosbie
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Anglesey has received significant investment from the UK Government through various funds and initiatives aimed at levelling up underdeveloped regions.

Question

With £17 million for Holyhead regeneration, £20 million for Holyhead Gateway refurbishment, £16 million from shared prosperity fund, £2.7 million culture recovery fund, hundreds of new jobs at inland border facility, £175 million RAF Valley funding, and freeport status with 13,000 job potential and £1 billion economic boost, does the Secretary of State agree this Conservative UK Government is determined to level up places like Anglesey?

Answer from David Davies

My hon. Friend's support for her constituency is noted; it was no coincidence that the Prime Minister visited Ynys Môn first as Prime Minister to celebrate growth deals delivering across Wales and UK.

Not addressed: Specific levelling-up efforts in Anglesey.

How: Redirecting To Broader Context

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Q5 Michael Fabricant Con
NHS Wales
Context

Tywyn Hospital has closed its minor injuries unit and in-patient ward, raising concerns about healthcare provision for English tourists visiting Wales.

Question

Does the Secretary of State acknowledge that Tywyn Hospital's minor injuries unit and in-patient ward have closed, funded by grants, and will he discuss proper healthcare provision for English tourists on holiday?

Answer from David Davies

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's comments but unable to give a detailed answer as NHS is devolved in Wales. I hope Welsh Labour Ministers will explain why, with extra funding above England's NHS, they cannot deliver comparable healthcare standards.

Not addressed: Specific healthcare issues at Tywyn Hospital and English tourists' access to care.

How: Redirecting To Devolution Of Health Services

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