Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening the Union

Wednesday 11 December 2024 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We are working in close partnership with the Welsh Government to grow our economy and unleash Wales's potential.
  • The Secretary of State was very pleased to chair the first meeting of the advisory group last week.
  • With the additional funding that we have provided for the Welsh Government, I can assure the right hon. Member that there will be proper investment in the Welsh health service.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Bishop Lab Forest of Dean
Wales
Context

The question follows a statement about strengthening the Union. The MP is seeking details on specific actions taken by the government to support this.

Question

What steps she is taking to strengthen the Union?

Answer from Nia Griffith

We are working in close partnership with the Welsh Government to grow our economy and unleash Wales's potential. This has already delivered tangible results, including securing more than £1 billion investment and hundreds of jobs for north Wales, a better deal for steelworkers at Port Talbot, and a record budget settlement for the Welsh Government to spend on public services, including providing funding to keep coal tips safe, which the previous Government did not do.

Answered
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Q2 Matt Bishop Lab Forest of Dean
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The MP builds on previous questions about economic growth, asking for clarification on how relationships are being reset to improve Wales's standing within the broader UK context.

Question

I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State announce the Welsh economic growth advisory group. Will she explain how the resetting of relationships between the Welsh and UK Governments is strengthening Wales's position in the UK industrial strategy, and also improving access to vital services and relationships over the border in the Forest of Dean?

Answer from Nia Griffith

The Secretary of State was very pleased to chair the first meeting of the advisory group last week. The group will work with us to inform the UK Government's industrial strategy to ensure that we build on Wales's proud industrial heritage and develop the jobs and industries of the future. This is the first time that representatives from both Governments, from business, education and industry groups and from the unions have come together to shape cross-Government UK policy, proving the difference that two Governments working together for Wales can make.

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Q3 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
NHS Wales
Context

The MP criticises Labour's misleading statements about healthcare improvements in Wales, highlighting worse outcomes compared to England under Conservative rule.

Question

There is no better way of strengthening the Union than improving the healthcare of people in Wales. Somehow, at the general election, Labour managed to mislead the public in England into thinking that it could bring the change to the health service. In truth, we need Welsh people to have a much improved health service, as the people of England have had under Conservative control. What will be done about it?

Answer from Nia Griffith

With the additional funding that we have provided for the Welsh Government, I can assure the right hon. Member that there will be proper investment in the Welsh health service, which did not happen for 14 years under the Tories.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions and timelines to improve healthcare outcomes were not provided, only a general assurance of funding.

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