Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Wales

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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Pochin questioned the Welsh Government's performance over 26 years, citing lower household incomes and employment rates in Wales compared to England.
  • Mr Alex Barros-Curtis inquired about the funding for coal tip safety in Wales, to which the response highlighted a 25 million commitment by the Labour Government.
  • Mims Davies criticized the historical underfunding of Welsh rail infrastructure by the Conservative Government, which held power for 14 years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Pochin Reform Runcorn and Helsby
Economy Employment Wales
Context

MP questioned Welsh Labour’s record over 26 years, citing lower household incomes, employment rates, and life expectancy compared to England.

Question

Welsh Labour has been in power in Cardiff Bay for 26 years. In that time, Wales has fallen further and further behind its nearest neighbour in the Union in almost every key devolved area. Welsh household incomes are lower than in England; Welsh employment rates are lower than in England; and Welsh life expectancy is lower than in England. Is the Secretary of State proud of her party’s record in Wales?

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

Actually, the positive impact that our UK and Welsh Labour Governments are having is clear in how the Welsh economy is changing. Employment has increased significantly in Wales, unemployment and economic inactivity have fallen, and real total wages have increased right across the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific question about whether she was proud of Labour's record over 26 years given the comparison to England. She instead highlighted recent positive changes in employment and wages.

How: Changing Subject

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Q2 Alex Barros-Curtis Lab Cardiff West
Wales
Context

Barros-Curtis raised the issue of coal tip safety and maintenance, pointing out that Plaid Cymru voted against funding for this in the Senedd.

Question

The safety and maintenance of coal tips is a totemic issue in Wales, including in my constituency of Cardiff West. The relationship between the Welsh Government and this Labour Government, and the funding for coal tips in the last Budget, signify the importance of the union between our two Governments. Can the Secretary of State tell me why, when given the opportunity to vote on this issue in the Senedd in March, Plaid Cymru voted against coal tip funding?

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

My hon. Friend raises an important point. Ensuring that coal tips across Wales remain safe is of the utmost importance and, unlike the Conservative Government, we committed £25 million of funding this year for essential work to keep tips maintained and safe. Quite why Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives voted against that additional funding in the Senedd is beyond me. They need to explain that to our former coalmining communities.

Answered

How: Pointing Fingers At Others

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Q3 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Transport Wales
Context

Davies questioned the fairness of funding allocation to Wales, suggesting that it was inadequate compared to other regions.

Question

Does the Minister prefer peanuts, cashew nuts or simply scraps for Wales? The fabled “two Labour Governments in lockstep” is simply a myth for voters. Changing rail classifications and short-changing Welsh communities is a true reality. Is the Minister concerned about today’s reported peanuts? When did she become aware of the paltry settlement of just over £400 million that is to come to Wales? How will that be split for the Welsh Government? How does it compare with our Government’s £740 million for rail alone? What specific action did she take to argue for a fair share for Wales, and for its place in the Union?

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

The hon. Lady’s party, which was in government for 14 years, was in power when Wales got 1% of the rail enhancement budget, although it has 11% of the whole UK network. Her party is responsible for the historical underfunding of Welsh rail, and we will hear from the Chancellor this afternoon about what this Government are going to do about it.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific question regarding awareness of funding settlement or specifics on action taken. Instead, she deflected by blaming the previous government for underfunding Welsh rail.

How: Blaming Others

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Q4 David Chadwick Lib Dem Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Chadwick highlighted the concern of the farming community regarding bluetongue outbreak and requested a meeting to discuss this issue.

Question

The border we share with England is porous, and that is of critical importance to our agricultural community in mid-Wales, and particularly to livestock farmers, whose supply chain reaches from one side of the border to the other. The Secretary of State will be aware that the farming community is concerned about the outbreak of bluetongue. The Royal Welsh Show has already had to say no to entrants from England. Will she meet me and the livestock markets affected in my constituency to help find a solution for them?

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

Obviously, the Royal Welsh Show is a landmark event in the calendar in Wales every year. I would be happy to offer the hon. Member a meeting with the Minister responsible for farming at the Wales Office.

Answered

How: Suggesting Alternative

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