Speeches by Stevens.

“At the risk of repeating myself, we should not derive our future based solely on what has happened with HS2 in the past.”

“Phase 1 is being completed. The latest Welsh Government estimate of the money that has been spent would have, had it been classified differently, attracted a consequential of £350 million. There are lots of figures that have been talked about over previous years, but what we do know is that only phase 1 of HS2 is being…”

“The Secretary of State is definitely on their side. I hope that that is evident from what I have said today and from the exchange of letters. I cannot pre-empt what the spending review will do, but I have indicated and we have set out what the priority projects are. We are committed to the current projects. There are a…”

“It has been very important in Wales, and very significant, and it is important for the future too. In terms of what will happen, as you say, we have sorted out what is going to happen for 2025-26. That was as a result of discussions between MHCLG, the Wales Office and colleagues in Welsh Government, and we were able to…”

“On the reduction of Welsh MPs, I would say something that my mum always used to say to me, which is, “It is quality, not quantity”. We have a large intake of very enthusiastic and talented MPs in Wales, as well as more seasoned ones, including some of us around this room. I know that every single colleague in this room…”

“Both the UK and Welsh Governments are seized of the need to drive down waiting lists. The spending review provided the Welsh Government with an additional £1.7 billion for next year to invest in public services such as the NHS. The Welsh Government recently announced an additional £50 million in this year to reduce the…”

“I think someone should get the right hon. Lady a calculator, because the Plaid Cymru asks for the Budget would create at least £5 billion a year in unfunded bills for the taxpayer. Its plans for HS2, the winter fuel allowance and the two-child benefit cap would mean significant spending cuts in Wales. We are not prepar…”

“The right hon. Lady knows that I was referring to the second phase of HS2, which the Conservative Government cancelled. And she knows, because I have said it before and will say it again, that I remain very angry about the previous Government’s broken promises on rail and on HS2. I am working in partnership with the We…”

“This Government are supporting clean energy projects in Wales. Seven tidal, solar and onshore wind projects were successful in the recent contracts for difference round, and we have given the Celtic and Anglesey freeports the green light, which will enable green industries to grow, creating new jobs. I am also delighte…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for her question. We know that floating offshore wind will be critical to delivering our clean energy mission, and Wales has a huge part to play in that. The UK Government, jointly with the Welsh Government, recognise these opportunities and what they present for Wales, and we are determined to t…”

“The Government have no plans to nationalise British Steel.”

“The Welsh Government have introduced a Bill in the Senedd that will give local authorities in Wales the choice to introduce a levy on overnight stays in visitor accommodation. It will be for individual councils to decide whether they will introduce a small charge paid by people staying overnight in commercially let acc…”

“More than 40 countries and holiday destinations around the world have introduced a form of visitor levy, including Greece, Amsterdam, Barcelona and California, and many of us have paid such levies abroad without noticing. The money will help to support a long-term thriving tourism industry in Wales. I am confident that…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As I said, such levies are already the norm in more than 40 countries and holiday destinations around the world. Manchester shows it can work, so why can Wales not show that?”

“I am afraid I do not recognise any of those figures from the hon. Lady. As I say, in Manchester, a similar scheme has been introduced; it has been highly successful and has raised £2.8 million in just one year. She should be more ambitious for Wales.”

“If I were the hon. Gentleman, I would be a bit embarrassed about raising the subject of new hospitals given his Government’s record. The Welsh Government have just had a £21 billion record settlement, £1.7 billion of Barnett consequentials and, with the Welsh Government’s Budget yesterday, £610 million for the NHS and …”

“I am not sure Mr Speaker is in charge of reforming the NHS in Wales. I say to the hon. Gentleman that under the previous Conservative Government, waiting lists increased by a larger percentage in England than they did in Wales.”

“I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. As I say, there was a record settlement from Welsh Government yesterday, with £610 million announced to bring down waiting lists and increase capacity in the NHS and social care. If the parties on the Opposition Benches want more money and more investment in the NHS, they nee…”

“I think their stance on the Welsh Government Budget says it all. They are more bothered about scoring cheap political points than they are about delivering services and investment for Wales.”

“I say to the hon. Lady that both the Welsh and the UK Governments are looking after pensioners in Wales. We made the tough, but right, decision on winter fuel payments, given our economic inheritance from the previous Conservative Government. We are focused on delivering funding and support to the people who need it mo…”