Written questions by Chadwick.

Whether she has made an assessment of lessons learned from previous short-term capital schemes, including Levelling Up Fund projects, when designing the Local Growth Fund.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.

Whether she has considered allowing a greater proportion of Local Growth Fund spending to be allocated to revenue rather than capital activities in order to maintain continuity of support for local businesses and workers.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.

Whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer has provided guidance to her Department on the split between revenue and capital funding for the Local Growth Fund in devolved nations.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.

Whether UK Shared Prosperity Fund revenue-funded programmes in Welsh local authorities will be maintained via the Local Growth Fund.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.

What estimate she has made of the total percentage change in local economic growth funding for Wales between the final year of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the first three years of the Local Growth Fund.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support regional growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). For the next three years, this funding will be at the same overall level in cash terms as under UKSPF in the current year in Wales.My Department has been provided with the financial breakdown for the new Local Growth Fund, including the capital and revenue split. I have regular discussions with both UK and Welsh Government ministerial colleagues on how this funding will benefit communities the length and breadth of Wales.Over the course of the Spending Review period, the Local Growth Fund will invest in a range of projects that drive growth through both capital and revenue funding – from infrastructure to supporting businesses and helping people find jobs and acquire new skills.The Welsh Government is developing an Investment Plan for the Local Growth Fund in Wales, and there is currently a live consultation to inform priorities. Insights from the consultation exercise alongside learning from evaluations of previous programmes will help ensure that the Local Growth Fund delivers long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and complements other major programmes such as Pride in Place, City and Regional Growth Deals, Freeports and Investment Zones.This new fund reinforces the strong collaborative relationship between the UK Government and Welsh Government. It will help create jobs and grow productivity, bringing benefit to every part of Wales. I am fully committed to ensuring that the transition to the new Local Growth Fund is as smooth as possible with sufficient flexibilities for local authorities to manage the change in capital and revenue funding. To this end, I have written a joint letter with Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Planning to local authority leaders in Wales reassuring them that both governments are open to exploring opportunities for additional flexibilities within the parameters of the budget settlement and our shared responsibilities for managing public money. This will help local authorities manage the change while continuing to support local businesses and workers.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on securing the integrity of the 2026 Senedd elections from interference by foreign state actors.

The UK Government takes any attempts to intervene in democratic processes very seriously. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic and electoral processes, including from foreign interference. The Government addresses these challenges through coordinated efforts led by the Defending Democracy Taskforce and Joint Election Security and Preparedness (JESP) Unit which monitor and mitigate election security risks, including foreign interference. JESP maintains regular contact with representatives from Whitehall departments, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as the devolved governments. JESP continues to lead cross-government efforts in preparation and readiness for the 2026 elections, including those to the Senedd Cymru.

What (a) milestones and (b) deliverables were agreed for the health partnership with England announced on the 23 September 2024.

Both the UK and Welsh Governments know how important it is to strengthen our NHS and bring down waiting lists. That is why our two governments are working together in the spirit of genuine collaboration and partnership to do everything possible to cut waiting lists, collaborate and learn from each other. That partnership begins with how the NHS is funded. At the Spending Review, we announced a record £22.4 billion per year on average for the Welsh Government between 2026-27 and 2028-29, to invest in public services and drive down waiting lists. This is the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution. This builds on what was announced at Autumn Budget which provided the Welsh Government with an additional £1.7 billion to invest in public services like the NHS. An extra £600 million in funding was invested by the Welsh Government for health and social care in their Budget for 2025/26. The record settlement we provided to the Welsh Government has helped to reduce NHS waiting lists and I was pleased to see that in the most recent health statistics that the over two years waiting lists are more than three quarters (87.6%) lower than the peak in March 2022. Our governments are learning from each other by sharing best practice on health. The UK Government has learned from the Welsh Government’s reform to dentistry and GP practices, as the UK Government has shared its approach to rolling out extra elective capacity, including through new surgical hubs – an approach the Welsh Government is also taking. A good example of our two Governments working together on health is the Interministerial Group (IMG) for Health and Social Care, which met on 25 September, chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC). The IMG brought together Ministers from DHSC and the Devolved Governments to discuss shared priorities across health in the UK, including innovation and elective recovery. There are also regular meetings between officials in UK Government and the Devolved Governments on a range health and social care matters. Our two Governments are working together on ‘Exercise PEGASUS’ – a national exercise on the United Kingdom’s preparedness for a pandemic. This was the first of its kind in nearly a decade and the biggest in UK history. There are long-standing arrangements for cancer care, renal services and mental health support that cross the border seamlessly. Furthermore, NHS England is working with NHS Wales to improve digital interoperability, especially through the shared care record and technical collaboration on the fast healthcare interoperability resources which allows systems from different manufacturers to exchange messages and data, regardless of the setting that care is delivered in. In October, the chief information officers across governments agreed to begin working together on digital architecture and standards. This is intended to improve how the NHS across the border can share systems, standards and communicate more effectively. This partnership aims to improve the sharing of digital records in the short term and eventually to achieve a single patient record. Around 30,000 people who live in England have a GP in Wales, and vice versa. That is why NHS Wales and NHS England have a Statement of Values and Principles that underpins the arrangements for treatment for patients living on the Wales England border. This supports better patient outcomes and avoids fragmentation of care for those people living either side of the border. Further detail on the statement is in the link below. https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cross-border-statement-of-values-and-principles.pdf

How many meetings of (a) officials and (b) ministers have taken place to progress the health partnership between Wales and England announced on 23 September 2024 by the Secretary of State.

Both the UK and Welsh Governments know how important it is to strengthen our NHS and bring down waiting lists. That is why our two governments are working together in the spirit of genuine collaboration and partnership to do everything possible to cut waiting lists, collaborate and learn from each other. That partnership begins with how the NHS is funded. At the Spending Review, we announced a record £22.4 billion per year on average for the Welsh Government between 2026-27 and 2028-29, to invest in public services and drive down waiting lists. This is the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution. This builds on what was announced at Autumn Budget which provided the Welsh Government with an additional £1.7 billion to invest in public services like the NHS. An extra £600 million in funding was invested by the Welsh Government for health and social care in their Budget for 2025/26. The record settlement we provided to the Welsh Government has helped to reduce NHS waiting lists and I was pleased to see that in the most recent health statistics that the over two years waiting lists are more than three quarters (87.6%) lower than the peak in March 2022. Our governments are learning from each other by sharing best practice on health. The UK Government has learned from the Welsh Government’s reform to dentistry and GP practices, as the UK Government has shared its approach to rolling out extra elective capacity, including through new surgical hubs – an approach the Welsh Government is also taking. A good example of our two Governments working together on health is the Interministerial Group (IMG) for Health and Social Care, which met on 25 September, chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC). The IMG brought together Ministers from DHSC and the Devolved Governments to discuss shared priorities across health in the UK, including innovation and elective recovery. There are also regular meetings between officials in UK Government and the Devolved Governments on a range health and social care matters. Our two Governments are working together on ‘Exercise PEGASUS’ – a national exercise on the United Kingdom’s preparedness for a pandemic. This was the first of its kind in nearly a decade and the biggest in UK history. There are long-standing arrangements for cancer care, renal services and mental health support that cross the border seamlessly. Furthermore, NHS England is working with NHS Wales to improve digital interoperability, especially through the shared care record and technical collaboration on the fast healthcare interoperability resources which allows systems from different manufacturers to exchange messages and data, regardless of the setting that care is delivered in. In October, the chief information officers across governments agreed to begin working together on digital architecture and standards. This is intended to improve how the NHS across the border can share systems, standards and communicate more effectively. This partnership aims to improve the sharing of digital records in the short term and eventually to achieve a single patient record. Around 30,000 people who live in England have a GP in Wales, and vice versa. That is why NHS Wales and NHS England have a Statement of Values and Principles that underpins the arrangements for treatment for patients living on the Wales England border. This supports better patient outcomes and avoids fragmentation of care for those people living either side of the border. Further detail on the statement is in the link below. https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cross-border-statement-of-values-and-principles.pdf

Further to her announcement on 23 September 2024 of a health partnership between Wales and England, what progress has been made in establishing that partnership; and when she expects it to become operational.

Both the UK and Welsh Governments know how important it is to strengthen our NHS and bring down waiting lists. That is why our two governments are working together in the spirit of genuine collaboration and partnership to do everything possible to cut waiting lists, collaborate and learn from each other. That partnership begins with how the NHS is funded. At the Spending Review, we announced a record £22.4 billion per year on average for the Welsh Government between 2026-27 and 2028-29, to invest in public services and drive down waiting lists. This is the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution. This builds on what was announced at Autumn Budget which provided the Welsh Government with an additional £1.7 billion to invest in public services like the NHS. An extra £600 million in funding was invested by the Welsh Government for health and social care in their Budget for 2025/26. The record settlement we provided to the Welsh Government has helped to reduce NHS waiting lists and I was pleased to see that in the most recent health statistics that the over two years waiting lists are more than three quarters (87.6%) lower than the peak in March 2022. Our governments are learning from each other by sharing best practice on health. The UK Government has learned from the Welsh Government’s reform to dentistry and GP practices, as the UK Government has shared its approach to rolling out extra elective capacity, including through new surgical hubs – an approach the Welsh Government is also taking. A good example of our two Governments working together on health is the Interministerial Group (IMG) for Health and Social Care, which met on 25 September, chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC). The IMG brought together Ministers from DHSC and the Devolved Governments to discuss shared priorities across health in the UK, including innovation and elective recovery. There are also regular meetings between officials in UK Government and the Devolved Governments on a range health and social care matters. Our two Governments are working together on ‘Exercise PEGASUS’ – a national exercise on the United Kingdom’s preparedness for a pandemic. This was the first of its kind in nearly a decade and the biggest in UK history. There are long-standing arrangements for cancer care, renal services and mental health support that cross the border seamlessly. Furthermore, NHS England is working with NHS Wales to improve digital interoperability, especially through the shared care record and technical collaboration on the fast healthcare interoperability resources which allows systems from different manufacturers to exchange messages and data, regardless of the setting that care is delivered in. In October, the chief information officers across governments agreed to begin working together on digital architecture and standards. This is intended to improve how the NHS across the border can share systems, standards and communicate more effectively. This partnership aims to improve the sharing of digital records in the short term and eventually to achieve a single patient record. Around 30,000 people who live in England have a GP in Wales, and vice versa. That is why NHS Wales and NHS England have a Statement of Values and Principles that underpins the arrangements for treatment for patients living on the Wales England border. This supports better patient outcomes and avoids fragmentation of care for those people living either side of the border. Further detail on the statement is in the link below. https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cross-border-statement-of-values-and-principles.pdf

What representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the transfer of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme’s Investment Reserve to its Welsh scheme members.

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members. The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members. As at 30 October 2024, there were 3,650 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Wales. Any transfer of the reserve would be used to enhance member benefits.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2025 to Question 76666 on British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, if it remains his policy to reach an outcome on the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme’s investment reserve that can be implemented this year.

The Government’s aim remains to reach an outcome that can be implemented this year.

Whether (a) he and (b) the Chief Secretary to the Treasury have held recent meetings with representatives of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme on the future of the Investment Reserve.

I met the Trustees on 12 November 2025 to discuss the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and the proposed transfer of the reserve.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of returning the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme Investment Reserve to members on the Welsh economy.

As at 30 October 2024, there were 3,650 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Wales. Any transfer of the reserve would be used to enhance member benefits.

What steps his Department is taking to help support steel businesses with (a) innovative and (b) low-carbon projects.

This Government has committed up to £2.5bn to the UK steel industry, which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund (NWF). The NWF has £5.8bn to invest across clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors, including steel, and is engaging with firms on opportunities aligned with its investment principles. This is in addition to £500m grant funding towards Tata’s overall £1.25bn Port Talbot transformation project, which will see the Port Talbot site transition to lower carbon Electric Arc Furnace steel making. We have also supported innovation through our £22million in funding of the Material Processing Institute’s PRISM programme since 2020, and have recently consulted on proposals to deliver a framework of voluntary policies to grow demand for low carbon industrial products, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete products used in construction.

Whether his Department received (a) applications and (b) expressions of interest prior to the decision to not proceed with proposals to give businesses a cash grant for innovative steel projects.

We are committed to providing up to £2.5bn for the steel sector, which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund (NWF). A consultation was launched in February 2025 regarding the upcoming steel strategy, and we sought views on further potential mechanisms to support the steel industry, including the possibility of grant funding. However, we were not seeking applications or expressions of interest at that stage.

If he will publish (a) internal advice and (b) correspondence relating to the decision to not proceed with proposals to give businesses a cash grant for innovative steel projects.

We remain committed to providing up to £2.5bn for the steel sector, which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. The NWF has £5.8bn to invest across clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors, including steel, and is engaging with firms on opportunities aligned with its investment principles. In February 2025, the UK government launched a "Plan for Steel" consultation to seek views on issues such as electricity costs, trade challenges, domestic demand, and funding. The forthcoming Steel Strategy will set out our response to those issues.

If he will commission an independent assessment of the financial and operational implications of fully devolving rail infrastructure and services to the Welsh Government.

The UK and Welsh Governments are focussed on transformation of the rail sector, modernising and improving rail services and delivering a more integrated, accountable, and passenger-focused railway. As part of the wider rail reform agenda, and through continued collaborative working, we will be confirming devolved responsibilities, funding arrangements, and joint governance mechanisms, thereby strengthening accountability in the delivery of rail services across the Wales and Borders area. A joint Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be published in Spring 2026 and will be supported by a partnership agreement between Great British Railways and Transport for Wales. This will ensure we are working towards jointly agreed shared objectives for Wales and Borders rail services and UK services serving destinations in the Wales and Borders geography.

For what reason Welsh Ministers do not have the same statutory powers as Scottish Ministers to produce a High Level Output Specification for rail infrastructure.

As set out in the Secretary of State’s Written Statement to Parliament on 5 November, UK Government and Welsh Ministers are committed to modernising and improving rail services and delivering a more integrated, accountable, and passenger-focused railway in Wales that respects the current devolution settlement. Welsh Ministers will be statutory consultees on the England and Wales Statement of Objectives, and a formal Memorandum of Understanding, which is expected to be published in Spring 2026, will codify devolved responsibilities, funding arrangements, and joint governance mechanisms. This will strengthen accountability in the delivery of all rail services across the Wales and Borders geography. This Memorandum of Understanding will include our joint intention for shared objectives and control period / funding period planning, and a dedicated, empowered Business Unit within Great British Railways (GBR) that will deliver against those shared objectives.

What per-capita level of rail enhancement funding has been allocated to Wales for Control Period 7.

Rail enhancement funding is determined via Spending Reviews rather than Control Period based settlements. In June 2025 the Chancellor announced investment plans covering the period from 2026/27 to 2029/30. For this period £350 million has been allocated to rail enhancements in Wales, with a further commitment of at least £95 million to continue delivering Wales’ long term infrastructure needs. Based on the most recent Office for National Statistics figure for the population of Wales (mid-year estimate 30 June 2024), this total represents a per-capita value of £139.65.

How much funding her Department plans to provide through the National Wealth Fund for steel projects; and how businesses can access that funding.

This Government has a vision for a strong, resilient, productive steel industry in the UK that is primed for long-term success, driving growth in communities. The NWF will commit at least £5.8 billion over this Parliament to priority sub-sectors, which includes green steel. Businesses seeking the NWF’s finance or support from should contact them directly via their website: https://www.nationalwealthfund.org.uk/contact-us