Wales

In the House of Commons debate, the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, outlined the government's position on supporting clean energy projects and the steel industry in Wales. She highlighted the establishment of Great British Energy, which will drive investment in new green technologies like floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, creating jobs and growth across Wales. Stevens also discussed the government's £13.5 million in funding to support businesses and workers in the steel industry, in contrast to the previous government's inaction. The shadow Secretary of State, John Lamont, responded by recognizing the previous Conservative government's work on clean energy projects like the Celtic freeport, while urging the current government to build on that progress. He also pressed Stevens on the details of the new steel industry support package, questioning whether it was largely unchanged from the previous deal. The debate then covered a range of topics, including discussions on improving cross-border train services, supporting economic growth in Wales through universities and the agri-food sector, and enhancing digital infrastructure in rural areas. The ministers emphasized the government's commitment to working closely with the Welsh Government and addressing challenges such as Avanti's poor rail performance and NHS waiting lists in Wales. Throughout the debate, the government representatives highlighted their focus on delivering clean energy, supporting industries like steel, and investing in infrastructure and public services to drive economic growth in Wales. The opposition raised questions about the continuity of policies, the pace of progress, and the need for stronger collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments.