Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth

Wednesday 3 December 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 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The minimum wage and living wage will increase, providing a 900 annual pay rise for full-time workers on the national living wage.
  • The Pride in Place programme has invested 20 million in each of 14 communities across Wales.
  • New AI growth zones in Wales will create over 11,500 new jobs, according to the Secretary of State.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Economy Employment Wales
Context

The MP notes that decisions made by the UK Labour Government will increase the minimum wage and living wage.

Question

Because of decisions made by the UK Labour Government, the minimum wage and the living wage will increase, boosting wages for thousands of workers across this country, including 160,000 people in Wales. Could the Secretary of State set out what impact she thinks this critical announcement will have on the economy and people of Wales?

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

From April, a full-time worker on the national living wage will see their annual pay rise by £900, on top of the £1,400 increase that we announced in the previous Budget, and 18 to 20-year-olds working full time on the national minimum wage will get an annual increase of £1,500, which, when added to last year’s increase of £2,500, means £4,000 extra a year. This Labour Government are supporting the lowest-paid workers across the country, with 2.7 million workers in Stoke-on-Trent Central, Cardiff East and every other constituency directly benefiting.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Paul Waugh Labour (Co-op) Rochdale
Economy Wales
Context

The MP notes that Conwy has been selected for the UK Government’s Pride in Place programme and secured £20 million for Rochdale.

Question

I was pleased to see Conwy recently selected for this UK Government's Pride in Place programme. That is alongside the existing funds for Rhyl and Wrexham. Given the north-west’s strong economic and family ties to north Wales, I was proud to secure £20 million for Rochdale through the Pride in Place programme. Can the Secretary of State update the House on the difference that these growth funds and other funds will make to economic development in the region?

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

The introduction of the Pride in Place programme has meant good news for Rochdale, as well as for Wales. A total of 14 communities across Wales are each benefiting from £20 million of long-term investment to enable the changes that they want to see in their neighbourhoods. This hyper-local programme will benefit areas that are doubly disadvantaged, having both the highest deprivation levels and the weakest social infrastructure. It is about investing for the long term, and creating safer, stronger and more resilient communities with the facilities and infrastructure that they need to thrive.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Frank McNally Lab Coatbridge and Bellshill
Economy Scotland Wales
Context

The MP notes the announcements of new AI growth zones, small modular reactors, billions of pounds of investment and 11,000 new jobs.

Question

It has been a momentous two weeks for my Welsh colleagues, with announcements of new AI growth zones in both north and south Wales, a fleet of small modular reactors, billions of pounds of investment and 11,000 new jobs. Does the Secretary of State agree that this shows that this Labour Government are determined to ensure that there will be growth across the UK, including in Wales?

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

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This Labour Government have backed Welsh business and economic growth since day one, and the results speak for themselves; new nuclear at Wylfa and the two new AI growth zones will mean well over 11,500 new jobs. Add to that the best inward investment results for years, a 30% increase in jobs created, a 23% increase in projects landed, more jobs, wages rising faster than inflation, and more money in the pockets of people across Wales.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Mims Davies Con Eastleigh
Economy Employment Wales
Context

The MP noted the largest rise in unemployment in the UK was recorded in Wales at 1.4%. She cited specific infrastructure projects not built as exacerbating this economic situation.

Question

Clearly something more important than economic growth in Wales came up for Labour’s Wales Office. Can Ministers explain? The biggest rise in unemployment in the UK was in Wales, at 1.4%. Frankly, that is no surprise, given the Governments’ joint refusal to build the M4 relief road or the north Wales main line. That does not exactly match the Chancellor’s boasts about world-class infrastructure at the summit. Among the hobnobbing and backslapping, did any Ministers spare any thought for the desolate owners and workers of businesses in tatters in Monmouth and more widely? Did Ministers work on the ask for extra help to save those people’s livelihoods?

Answer from Jo Stevens (Secretary of State for Wales)

There was a smörgåsbord of questions there. I just say to the shadow Secretary of State that her party wrecked the economy, starved our public services and exacerbated the cost of living crisis. Our Labour Budget is reducing the cost of living, investing in public services and shrinking the national debt—the Conservatives increased it—while at the same time lifting thousands of children out of the poverty that the Tories created.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address unemployment statistics or infrastructure projects in Wales.

How: Wrecked The Economy, Starved Our Public Services

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email