Written questions by Lake.

What recent assessment she made has made of the potential impact of providing compensation to local authorities in Wales via the Barnett Formula on the adequacy of funding to cover the additional Employer National Insurance costs announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 incurred by Local Authorities in Wales.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support with the changes to employer National Insurance.The devolved governments received funding through the Barnett formula in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.The current Welsh Government Spending Review settlement is the largest settlement in real terms of any since devolution.

What recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on a formal review of Wales’s fiscal framework.

We have ongoing discussions with the Welsh Government about funding flexibilities and updating their Fiscal Framework and remain committed to working in partnership to ensure the smooth delivery of their funding settlement.HM Treasury ministers regularly engage with Welsh Government counterparts, including through forums such as the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC), to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales, including funding arrangements. The most recent F:ISC was on 17 October.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of UK Research and Innovation funding allocated to Wales.

This Government is investing in Wales to help create jobs and drive economic growth. UKRI has recently launched the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) - a new programme that will empower innovation leadership through local ‘triple helix’ partnerships between civic institutions, business and universities, delivering impact, at scale. This Fund has earmarked £30 million for the Cardiff Capital Region [1]. [1] Cardiff Capital Region backed by £30m to unlock innovation and growth - GOV.UK

What recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the Autumn Budget 2025.

There have been regular discussions with the Welsh Government on the Budget. This ensures that we are taking account of their views to ensure that we are delivering for the people of Wales. The Chancellor met with the First Minister for Wales on the 7th of August in Wales. I also met with the Welsh Government’s Finance Minister on the 17th of October at the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC), to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales, including funding arrangements and his priorities for the Autumn Budget .

What recent discussions her Department has had with the Welsh Government on (a) Wales’s comparability factor for transport and (b) the impact of that factor on funding for the Welsh Government.

HM Treasury ministers and officials regularly engage with Welsh Government counterparts, including through forums such as the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC), to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales. The most recent F:ISC was on 17 October.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of lowering the population thresholds of the Pride in Place programme to include smaller rural communities in the eligibility criteria.

On 25 September, the Government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, committing up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 communities. The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Phase 1 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March. Neighbourhoods in England were selected through a robust, metric-based methodology, which uses a composite measure of deprivation (Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)) and community need (Community Needs Index (CNI)) to identify areas with the poorest social and economic outcomes and create a single index of need. Our allocation methodology targets need everywhere (regardless of type of community) and includes a number of rural communities.We’re working closely with devolved governments to make sure funding supports local priorities everywhere. Further details on our approach in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow.The full list of areas and place selection methodology is set out here: Pride in Place Programme Phase 2: Methodology note.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered the findings of the UN Secretary-General’s report to the UN Security Council entitled Situation concerning Western Sahara, published on September 30 2025, that the Royal Moroccan Army should refrain from building further military infrastructure west of the berm in occupied Western Sahara; and if she will make representations to the UN Security Council on this matter.

The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The UK shares a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Morocco, the third session of which is due to take place in London by the end of the year and will cover a range of topics.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered the findings of the UN Secretary-General’s report to the UN Security Council entitled Situation concerning Western Sahara, published on September 30 2025, including the need for independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained monitoring; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) establishing an independent human rights body as proposed in the resolution and (b) requiring Morocco to facilitate visits by the OHCHR to occupied Western Sahara.

The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The UK shares a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Morocco, the third session of which is due to take place in London by the end of the year and will cover a range of topics.

What recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on fiscal steps to reduce the cost of living in Wales.

The Welsh and UK Labour Governments are determined to boost living standards for families right across Wales.It’s why we secured a record wage increase to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage for up to 160,000 workers.It’s why we are creating thousands of new jobs in our green industries, our freeports and investment zones.And it’s why, just two weeks ago, we confirmed a second year of funding for our three economic inactivity trailblazers across Wales – to help people into good, well-paid jobs.Labour is the only party on the side of working people in Wales and across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reforming physical infrastructure access pricing for Project Gigabit to reduce rural build costs for alternative network operators.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.For this reason, while my officials are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made a formal assessment of the merits of reforming physical infrastructure access pricing for Project Gigabit to reduce rural build costs for alternative network operators.My officials are regularly engaging with Ofcom to ensure that we have the right regulatory environment in place to promote competition and investment in the fibre roll-out across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing fiscal incentives to support private investment in rural broadband networks, in the context of the Physical Infrastructure Access pricing structure.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.For this reason, while my officials are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made any specific assessment of the merits of introducing fiscal incentives to reduce how much rural operators pay for PIA.My officials are regularly engaging with Ofcom to ensure that we have the right regulatory environment in place to promote competition and investment in the fibre roll-out.

Innovation and Technology, if she will hold discussions with Ofcom on revising the Physical Infrastructure Access pricing model to ensure consistent competitive conditions between (a) national ISPs and (b) alternative network operators building gigabit-capable broadband in rural areas.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.For this reason, while my officials are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made any specific assessment of the merits of introducing fiscal incentives to reduce how much rural operators pay for PIA.My officials are regularly engaging with Ofcom to ensure that we have the right regulatory environment in place to promote competition and investment in the fibre roll-out.

Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to ensure that public subsidies provided to data centre partnerships are not used to support Drax Power Station.

AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) were announced in January as part of the Prime Minister's AI Opportunities Action Plan.In April, following an informal call for interest where we received over 200 proposals, we launched the application process to identify AIGZs. We have received 56 applications from across the UK, which we are currently reviewing.We will continue to follow due process, led by our public criteria, as we take any proposals forward.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) relief and (b) a discounted rate for small art galleries following the increase in anti-money laundering supervision fees.

Economic crime presents a substantial threat to UK security and stability, and anti money laundering supervisors have an important role to play to ensure that supervised businesses understand and manage the risks to which they are exposed. HM Revenue & Customs supervises art market participantsalongside businesses in several other sectors.It is policy of this, and previous Governments, that the cost of supervision should be met by supervised businesses and not through general taxation. HMRC has recently published its intention to increase some of the fees that itcharges for supervision to ensure that it has the income it needs to meet its obligations as a supervisor. HMRC is considering comments from businesses and trade bodies and will publish its next steps shortly. The Money Laundering Regulations apply only to sales of art exceeding the equivalent of €10,000 in value, which excludes 80% of businesses in the sector. HMRC hasconsidered the impact of the proposed fee increases on businesses against its needs as a supervisor and intends to minimise impact on supervised businesses, especially the vast majority who trade from a single premises.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the flat rate anti-money laundering supervision fee regime on small art galleries.

Economic crime presents a substantial threat to UK security and stability, and anti money laundering supervisors have an important role to play to ensure that supervised businesses understand and manage the risks to which they are exposed. HM Revenue & Customs supervises art market participantsalongside businesses in several other sectors.It is policy of this, and previous Governments, that the cost of supervision should be met by supervised businesses and not through general taxation. HMRC has recently published its intention to increase some of the fees that itcharges for supervision to ensure that it has the income it needs to meet its obligations as a supervisor. HMRC is considering comments from businesses and trade bodies and will publish its next steps shortly. The Money Laundering Regulations apply only to sales of art exceeding the equivalent of €10,000 in value, which excludes 80% of businesses in the sector. HMRC hasconsidered the impact of the proposed fee increases on businesses against its needs as a supervisor and intends to minimise impact on supervised businesses, especially the vast majority who trade from a single premises.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Moroccan counterpart on the blocking of visits by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to occupied Western Sahara since 2015.

The UK has endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict and welcomed Morocco's stated commitment to provide further details of what autonomy within a Moroccan state could entail, with a view to restarting serious negotiations. In that context, we continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination. The former Foreign Secretary last spoke to Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Bourita on 23 July and I met representatives of the Polisario Front on 5 August.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July to Question 64209 on Western Sahara: Human Rights, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Morocco on the details of what autonomy within the Moroccan State could entail.

The UK has endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting solution of the Western Sahara conflict and welcomed Morocco's stated commitment to provide further details of what autonomy within a Moroccan state could entail, with a view to restarting serious negotiations. In that context, we continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination. The former Foreign Secretary last spoke to Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Bourita on 23 July and I met representatives of the Polisario Front on 5 August.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to increase the provision of aid to the Sahrawi refugee camps, following the UN Secretary General’s report entitled Question of Western Sahara of 31 July 2025.

The UK continues to regularly meet and consult regional and international partners to discuss the issue of Western Sahara, including those from the peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the UN, civil society, and the broader international community. We continue to work with international partners to assess the situation and ensure UK aid reaches the most vulnerable, including Sahrawi refugees.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) ringfencing a minimum amount of community justice funding specifically for residential rehabilitation services, (b) establishing formal pathways between prison to residential rehabilitation provision and recovery housing services and (c) facilitating integrated discharge planning including proactive pathways into (i) community integration, (ii) employment, (iii) education and (iv) recovery support as part of her plans for justice reform.

We know continued engagement with treatment and recovery throughout an offender’s journey is vital to reduce drug misuse, drug-related crime, and reoffending. Responsibility for funding and commissioning of substance misuse treatment lies with the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS Wales. We work very closely with health partners to ensure pathways are accessible for offenders, including to residential rehabilitation which can be a valuable treatment option for some.In line with recommendations from the Independent Sentencing Review, we want to divert more offenders away from custody where appropriate, including increasing the use of Drug Rehabilitation Requirements to address the underlying causes of offending. For those who do go to prison, accessing support to resettle effectively in the community is crucial, particularly as the first few weeks after release are high-risk for relapse, overdose, and reoffending.To support this, community probation practitioners coordinate the overall rehabilitation of an offender, supported by pre-release teams. They work proactively with all prisoners to make sure the right support is on offer during their time in prison and prior to release to address resettlement needs such as accommodation, employment, and substance misuse. Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators work nationwide to support prison leavers to maintain recovery in the community, strengthening links between prisons, probation and treatment providers. The latest data for June 2025 shows that 54% of adults released with an ongoing substance misuse need engaged in treatment within 3 weeks of release, an increase from 38% in April 2021.

Whether she plans to include residential rehabilitation treatment in her plans for justice reform.

We know continued engagement with treatment and recovery throughout an offender’s journey is vital to reduce drug misuse, drug-related crime, and reoffending. Responsibility for funding and commissioning of substance misuse treatment lies with the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS Wales. We work very closely with health partners to ensure pathways are accessible for offenders, including to residential rehabilitation which can be a valuable treatment option for some.In line with recommendations from the Independent Sentencing Review, we want to divert more offenders away from custody where appropriate, including increasing the use of Drug Rehabilitation Requirements to address the underlying causes of offending. For those who do go to prison, accessing support to resettle effectively in the community is crucial, particularly as the first few weeks after release are high-risk for relapse, overdose, and reoffending.To support this, community probation practitioners coordinate the overall rehabilitation of an offender, supported by pre-release teams. They work proactively with all prisoners to make sure the right support is on offer during their time in prison and prior to release to address resettlement needs such as accommodation, employment, and substance misuse. Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators work nationwide to support prison leavers to maintain recovery in the community, strengthening links between prisons, probation and treatment providers. The latest data for June 2025 shows that 54% of adults released with an ongoing substance misuse need engaged in treatment within 3 weeks of release, an increase from 38% in April 2021.