Contributions
469 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCost of LivingI have regular discussions with the Chancellor and Treasury Ministers on a wide range of issues, including the cost of living. This Labour Government are on the side of working…29 Oct 2025HANSARDEconomic GrowthEconomic growth is the No. 1 priority for this Government. The UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7 in the first half of this year. Wages are up, inward investment is up,…29 Oct 2025HANSARDCost of LivingMy hon. Friend, the Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, is absolutely right. Our pride in place programmes, the local growth fund, the city and growth deals, the…29 Oct 2025HANSARDCross-border Rail ConnectivityNo, I will not.16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025My understanding is that the just over £200 million figure that I referred to in my evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee relates to the combined mayoral authority announcements…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025I thank the Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee for her question. Monday was a really significant day for Welsh steelmaking. I was at the groundbreaking ceremony to begin…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025I very much agree with the hon. Lady about the benefits to the Union of the significant investment that this Government are making in transport. I am very happy to take away her…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025Through the spending review, we are providing a record £22.4 billion per year on average for the Welsh Government; investing at least £445 million in Welsh rail; investing £211…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025At the autumn Budget, we demonstrated our commitment to our fiscal rules while maintaining high levels of investment to rebuild our public services—an investment in farming as…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025I apologise to the right hon. Lady; I am afraid I did not hear the start of her question. On tax and what the Chancellor has talked about, we stand by our manifesto commitment not…16 Jul 2025HANSARDCross-border Rail ConnectivityWe are investing at least £445 million—an historic investment—in Welsh rail, to right the years of underfunding by previous Conservative Governments and to unleash Wales’s…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025I am very sorry to hear about Melanie’s situation. However, I would say to the hon. Gentleman that his party were in government with the Conservatives during the coalition years.…16 Jul 2025HANSARDOxford to Cambridge Rail LineThe hon. Member will know that that was an error made under the previous Conservative Government. Heavy rail infrastructure is reserved in Wales and, like every heavy rail project…16 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025The Government’s investment in the electric arc furnace shows how serious our commitment is to the steel industry, not just in south Wales but across the UK. It is why we have…16 Jul 2025HANSARDCross-border Rail ConnectivityMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why I was pleased to see the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates recently launch Network North Wales in…16 Jul 2025HANSARDOffshore WindIn June, the Crown Estate announced that it will partner with Equinor and Gwynt Glas to develop floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea. Those projects will create over 5,000 new…16 Jul 2025HANSARDOffshore WindI always believe that we do things better when we do them together.16 Jul 2025HANSARDOffshore WindMy hon. Friend is right that floating offshore wind presents significant opportunities for Wales and the UK. In the leasing round that just took place we had a first-mover…16 Jul 2025HANSARDOxford to Cambridge Rail LineAs I have just explained, an error was made by the previous Conservative Government. Heavy rail was and always is reserved. The Welsh Government will not be required to re-pay any…16 Jul 2025HANSARDOxford to Cambridge Rail LineThe Opposition’s decision to vote against the additional funding was inexplicable, as was their decision to vote against extra money for the NHS, for education and for…16 Jul 2025