Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 July 2026
Correspondence received from the UK Government, in response to the letter on the environmental and economic legacy of Wales’ industrial past, dated 19 June
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Inquiry: The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past
Summary
The UK Secretary of State for Wales responds to the Welsh Affairs Committee's April 2026 inquiry on Wales' industrial legacy. The government outlines £143 million for coal tip safety, £6.5 billion in devolved spending power for contaminated land remediation, and £14 billion in rail investment creating 12,000 jobs. It highlights inward investment growth to 5% of UK projects, Tata Steel support totalling £600 million, and employment programmes including £240 million for economic inactivity reduction through trailblazers in three Welsh communities.
Key findings
- UK Government commits £143 million for coal tip safety across Wales, matching Welsh Government request; total Welsh and UK investment exceeds £220 million supporting hundreds of communities.
- Contaminated land and water quality remediation funded through £6.5 billion additional spending power to Welsh Government via fiscal framework changes and Barnett allocation.
- South Wales coalfields region receives £280 million through Pride in Place Programme (£20 million per area over ten years) targeting fourteen communities including Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Rhondda and Neath Port Talbot.
- Inward investment projects increased to nearly 5% of UK total (up from 3.4% in 2023-24); 65 new FDI projects created 2,470 jobs in 2024-25; Tata Steel investment of £1.3 billion protects 5,000 jobs.
- Employment support devolved to Welsh Government with £20 million for Economic Inactivity Trailblazers in Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot and Denbighshire; Connect to Work services launched March 2026 supporting disabled and economically inactive people.
Government position
The UK Government accepts the committee's concerns on Wales' industrial legacy and states it is addressing them through substantial investment across five areas: coal tip safety (£143m committed), contaminated land remediation (£6.5bn devolved spending power), south Wales coalfields regeneration (£280m Pride in Place plus £34.5m Impact Fund), inward investment growth (5% of UK projects), and employment support programmes (£240m Get Britain Working White Paper, Employment Inactivity Trailblazers, Connect to Work services, Youth Guarantee). Government frames this as genuine partnership with Welsh Government and local authorities, devolving decision-making and employment support funding over the Parliament.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP (Secretary of State for Wales), Ruth Jones MP (Chair of Welsh Affairs Committee), Welsh Government, Mining Remediation Authority, Natural Resources Wales, Tata Steel, Disused Mine and Quarry Tips Task Force
Notable line
“Wales now punches above its weight, landing nearly 5% of all inward investment projects in the UK, up from 3.4% in 2023-24.”
Key Quotes
“Ensuring coal tips across Wales remain safe is absolutely critical. That is why the UK Government is committing £ 143 million to deliver the essential funding to protect existing homes whilst enabling new areas of land to be secured for future house building by the Welsh Government.”
“Wales now punches above its weight, landing nearly 5% of all inward investment projects in the UK, up from 3.4% in 2023-24.”
“The Local Growth Fund complements other UK Government investments including the City and Growth Deals, Investment Zones, Freeports, and the Pride in Ref: 026SOS26 Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP Secretary of State for Wales Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru T: 0292 092 4216 E: Correspondence@ukgovwales.gov.uk Gwydyr …”
“The Pride in Place Programme will target long-term investment to the communities that need it most, but we know that other places need immediate support to address the issues that matter locally.”
“… the UK Government has invested over £600 million to support Tata Steel UK's transition, including £500 million for the Electric Arc Ref: 026SOS26 Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP Secretary of State for Wales Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru T: 0292 092 4216 E: Correspondence@ukgovwales.gov.uk …”
“The rapid delivery of UK Government funding has helped ensure no increase in unemployment benefits take-up in the region since September”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗