Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

2025 Budget

Wednesday 3 December 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government is providing the Welsh Government with nearly 6 billion in additional spending power over the spending review period.
  • The Chancellor announced 10 million for semiconductor activities in south Wales to support innovation and job creation.
  • Plaid Cymru's response is characterized as grievance politics by the Secretary of State, who questions the party's lack of detail on tax and service cuts for an independence plan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Economy Wales
Context

The autumn Budget made minor adjustments to Wales’s borrowing limits. Scotland has more extensive borrowing powers, providing greater flexibility for capital project investments.

Question

Why have the recent tweaks to Wales’s borrowing powers been so small? Why haven't these tweaks even offset the inflationary losses since those limits were established?

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

The UK Government is providing the Welsh Government with nearly £6 billion in additional spending power over the spending review period, as a result of changes to the fiscal framework, additional funding through the Barnett formula and the largest settlement in devolution history. These changes mean that the Welsh Government will be able to invest more funding in hospitals, schools and other public services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on why tweaks were small and didn't offset inflationary losses

How: General Statement About Funding

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Q2 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Employment Scotland Science & Technology
Context

The Welsh compound semiconductor cluster in Ruth Jones's constituency has attracted over £1 billion investment, supporting around 3,000 jobs. Plans are underway to create another 1,000 jobs.

Question

What conversations is the Secretary of State having with UK and Welsh Government colleagues to ensure that the Welsh compound semiconductor cluster continues growing and creates more well-paid jobs across south Wales?

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

I have seen the success of the Welsh compound semiconductor cluster first-hand and, last week, the Chancellor announced £10 million for semiconductor activities in south Wales. This funding will focus on technology central to artificial intelligence and data centres to support innovation, strengthen supply chains and develop skills needed for future growth. Two weeks ago, I was at Cardiff University—a key partner for the cluster—to announce the south Wales AI growth zone, which will create more than 5,000 new jobs.

Answered
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Q3 Liz Saville Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Scotland Wales
Context

The Chancellor visited Wales to avoid scrutiny over a self-inflicted controversy. There was criticism about the Chancellor's claim regarding additional funding for Scotland being given because Anas Sarwar asked.

Question

Why hasn't there been any mention of the Welsh First Minister, Eluned Morgan? Why does the Secretary of State use figures that cannot be extrapolated from to show what independence would do in Wales?

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

I am surprised at the right hon. Lady’s tone. While this Labour Government makes record investment in Wales, Plaid Cymru’s response is grievance politics. It has not explained which taxes it would raise and which public services it would cut to pay for its disastrous independence plan that costs every person £7,000 a year.

Not addressed: Transparency of funding mechanisms and impact assessments

How: Criticizing The Opposition

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