Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Devolution: Crown Estate

Wednesday 11 June 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on devolving the Crown Estate to Wales raised concerns about market fragmentation and potential job losses.
  • The Secretary of State emphasized the importance of securing 5,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment in Wales through offshore wind projects.
  • Critics argue that the UK Government's stance on devolving the Crown Estate contradicts previous opposition claims about supporting Welsh interests.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Scotland Wales
Context

Recent research by the Crown Estate Scotland showed that in one year, the Crown Estate helped its tenants generate an economic impact of £2.1 billion and supported almost 17,000 jobs. Scottish voters have enjoyed these benefits since devolution.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential merits of devolving the Crown Estate. In contrast to that, in one year, the Crown Estate helped its tenants generate an economic impact of £2.1 billion and supported almost 17,000 jobs. How can the Secretary of State continue to justify withholding the same profits from Wales when Scottish voters are enjoying the benefits?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

This Government do not support devolution of the Crown Estate as that would risk market fragmentation, jeopardising jobs and significant investment. We are focused on securing over 5,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment in Wales through floating offshore wind projects.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details about recent discussions with the Welsh Government

How: Focusing On Potential Risks Instead Of Addressing Specific Questions

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Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Wales
Context

Devolving the Crown Estate is perceived to jeopardise future investment and jobs in Wales.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that devolving the Crown Estate sounds like a wonderful idea but really it is not, and continued lobbying and loud chat about devolving the Crown Estate is jeopardising future investment in Wales?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Devolving the Crown Estate could risk market fragmentation, complicate processes and delay further development offshore, jeopardising jobs and investment.

Answered
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Q3 Liz Saville Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Wales
Context

All local authorities in Wales support devolving the Crown Estate, but the government does not. Additionally, there is confusion regarding the classification of the Oxford-Cambridge line as benefiting Wales.

Question

There is no long-term vision. Every local authority in Wales supports the policy to devolve the Crown Estate to Wales. Does she really believe that the UK Labour Government know better than the entirety of Welsh local government? When Wales speaks with one voice, isn’t it time that Wales’s voice in the Cabinet says the same thing?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

I refer the right hon. Lady to my previous answer.

Not addressed: Agreement on the sentiment expressed by local authorities

How: Referring Back To A Previous Statement

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Q4 Liz Saville Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Transport Wales
Context

The Secretary of State previously condemned the Conservatives for denying Wales £4.6 billion in rail funding, but now she supports a smaller amount.

Question

In opposition, she condemned the Conservatives for denying Wales £4.6 billion in rail funding. Now in government, she is waxing lyrical about 10% of that. Does she oppose that new injustice or was she ignored?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

I listened carefully to her question and I am sure she would not wish to mislead. The situation was an error made by the previous government, and heavy rail infrastructure is reserved, not devolved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific injustice regarding the Oxford-Cambridge line classification

How: Correcting A Perceived Misconception

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