Financial Support Covid-19 2020-12-16
2020-12-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to assess whether there is adequate fiscal support provided by the UK government to the Welsh Government in response to the ongoing challenges posed by the covid-19 outbreak.
What assessment has been made of the adequacy of fiscal support available to the Welsh Government in response to the covid-19 outbreak?
The Government have provided a record amount of support to the Welsh Government, including a funding guarantee of an additional £5 billion this financial year. The Welsh Government will also receive an additional £1.3 billion next year, including £770 million to tackle covid-19.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns over whether the additional funding provided to the Welsh Government is effectively reaching frontline services rather than being absorbed by bureaucratic costs.
What further pressure can be brought to ensure that funding finds its way to frontline services and not absorbed in bureaucratic costs?
My hon. Friend makes a very interesting point, particularly at a time when the Welsh Government are sitting on over £1 billion of unallocated Barnett funding, and so many businesses and institutions in Wales are crying out for support. As the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies) said, we respect the devolution settlement and it is right that we should. However, if people are concerned, they have an opportunity to change this one-party state at the Senedd elections next May.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer addresses bureaucratic costs but shifts towards a political commentary on upcoming elections rather than concrete measures for allocation of funds.
Shifts Towards Political Commentary
Refers To Upcoming Election
Response accuracy