Llinos Medi

I refer the Hon. Member for Ynys Môn to my response to Question 12968 on 12th November 2024.

As part of the Government's responsible approach to policy and decision-making, we have considered the merits of nationalising British Steel and made an estimate of the cost. That estimate is confidential for commercial reasons. However, the Government has no plans to nationalise British Steel.

We are developing a steel strategy, working in partnership with trade unions and industry to grow the steel sector in the UK. This government has identified up to £2.5bn (on top of the £500mn secured for Port Talbot) to support the steel industry.

As part of the Government's responsible approach to policy and decision-making, we have considered the merits of nationalising British Steel and made an estimate of the cost. That estimate is confidential for commercial reasons. However, the Government has no plans to nationalise British Steel.

We are developing a steel strategy, working in partnership with trade unions and industry to grow the steel sector in the UK. This government has identified up to £2.5bn (on top of the £500mn secured for Port Talbot) to support the steel industry.

On 6 February 2025, we published the draft of a new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) for consultation. EN-7 proposes to employ a criteria-based approach, rather than listing potentially suitable sites, to empower nuclear developers to identify suitable sites for their projects.

The Government wants previously listed sites, such as Wylfa, which was acquired by Great British Nuclear in 2024, to meet their potential and EN-7 acknowledges the advantages they can offer for nuclear infrastructure deployment.

On 6 February 2025, we published the draft of a new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) for consultation. EN-7 proposes to employ a criteria-based approach, rather than listing potentially suitable sites, to empower nuclear developers to identify suitable sites for their projects.

The Government wants previously listed sites, such as Wylfa, which was acquired by Great British Nuclear in 2024, to meet their potential and EN-7 acknowledges the advantages they can offer for nuclear infrastructure deployment.

Ministers, and officials within the Department, regularly meet Welsh Government counterparts. As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station and is now owned by Great British Nuclear (GBN), we will work with GBN to assess options for new nuclear at the Wylfa site.

Grid connections for individual projects are a matter for the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the network companies.

The short pause on connection applications for generation customers is a necessary transitional step in delivering fundamental connections reforms that, if approved by Ofgem, could reduce the connections queue by up to half and will enable accelerated connections for many generation and demand projects. The pause does not apply to demand projects or to projects connecting to the distribution network which do not require Transmission Impact Assessment.

Great British Nuclear (GBN) completed its purchase of the sites at Wylfa (in Ynys Mon / Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in June 2024.

As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, and is now owned by GBN , we want Wylfa to play an important role in new nuclear in the UK. The Government is examining the legacy left to us by the previous government and decisions have yet to be taken on projects and technologies to be deployed at specific sites. As GBN progress the Small Modular Reactor competition toward final decisions in the spring, we will set out our plans in due course.

DCMS recognises that the cruise sector makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, namely £9.4 billion and supporting 82,000 jobs pre-pandemic. As a new government we are reviewing the composition and terms of reference of the Tourism Industry Council with the aim of securing broad and diverse representation from a variety of industries and delivering clear outcomes for the sector.

No such discussions have taken place recently. Holyhead Station is managed by Transport for Wales who are answerable to Welsh Ministers. Regular discussions between the UK and Welsh Governments on rail improvements take place via the Wales Rail Board.

Affordability of rail travel is one of our key objectives. However, any concessions made to rail fares policy must balance benefits for certain groups against the impacts on taxpayers. Currently there are no plans for offering a discounted railcard for NHS and other key workers.

The Government reviews the rate of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) annually as part of the uprating process. We are committed to building our understanding of how our plans to strengthen SSP, announced in our Plan to Make Work Pay, will impact employers and employees alike.

Through the Employment Rights Bill we are removing the Waiting Period so that SSP is payable from the first day of sickness absence, and we are also removing the Lower Earnings Limit which will widen eligibility to the up to 1.3 million employees who are currently not entitled to SSP.

Many employers choose to go further than paying the statutory minimum and provide more financial support to their employees during a sickness absence. Around 60% of all employees eligible to receive such contractual sick pay. Those who need additional financial support while off sick may be able to receive more help through the welfare system such as Universal Credit, depending on their individual circumstances.

The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government at official and ministerial level on a range of issues. This has included a request from the Welsh Government that the UK Government considers devolution of the management of The Crown Estate in Wales.

In the last three months, there has been one ministerial meeting within the Treasury with the Welsh Government which included The Crown Estate and Wales. This was held on the 25 November 2024 between the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language. The meeting covered growth, resetting our relationship with the EU, Great British Energy and The Crown Estate.

The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government at official and ministerial level on a range of issues. This has included a request from the Welsh Government that the UK Government considers devolution of the management of The Crown Estate in Wales.

As set out in the answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 22766: Crown Estates: Wales, the UK Government and Welsh Government have not entered discussions to take forward the devolution of The Crown Estate in Wales. However, the matter has been discussed at Ministerial level.

Whilst we acknowledge the policy position of the Welsh Government put forward during discussions, as previously set out, the UK Government does not believe devolution of the Crown Estate is currently in the best interests of Wales as it could fragment the energy market, complicate existing processes, and potentially delay grid connectivity reform as well as the further development of offshore energy. Together this gives rise to concerns it would delay progress towards net zero and undermine investment in Welsh waters.

We will continue to engage constructively with the Welsh Government on a wide range of topics relevant to the operation of the devolution settlement, including how to ensure that The Crown Estate works in the interests of Wales.

The UK Government has had no discussions with the Welsh Government on devolving the Crown Estate.

The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term.

Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.

This Government is committed to improving the quality and sustainability of our housing stock, through improvements such as low carbon heating, insulation, solar panels, and batteries. This will be vital to making the UK more energy resilient and meeting our 2050 Net Zero commitment.

Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Taxation is a vital source of revenue that helps to fund vital public services.

One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. In some cases, reliefs do not represent good value for money, as savings will not always be passed on to consumers.

The Government has no current plans to formally review the VAT treatment of building works. However, all taxes are kept under review as part of the tax policymaking process. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

The government is progressing with the development of a future funding framework to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund. We will set out our long-term vision for local growth at the multi-year spending review.

The government is progressing with the development of a future funding framework to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund. We will set out our long-term vision for local growth at the multi-year spending review.

I have discussed this issue with my Ministerial counterparts in each of the devolved governments, including a very constructive meeting with the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning. I look forward to building on this engagement as we approach the spending review.

The government is progressing with the development of a future funding framework to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund. We will set out our long-term vision for local growth at the multi-year spending review.

I have discussed this issue with my Ministerial counterparts in each of the devolved governments, including a very constructive meeting with the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning. I look forward to building on this engagement as we approach the spending review.

Officials have been working with the Freeport and with the Welsh Government to take forward the Freeport’s business case and we will be in a position to provide further updates shortly.

The future of the Freeports Programme will be confirmed after the Spending Review has concluded. We will return to outstanding decisions on individual Freeports, including Anglesey Freeport, at that point.