Written questions by Medi.

What the average household income is of people who receive the Personal Independence Payment in (a) Wales and (b) the UK.

The average household income of families in receipt of Personal Independence Payment in the UK and in Wales is shown in the table below:Weighted mean of household total, gross weekly income from all sources (2022-23) Household in Receipt of PIP Daily Living OnlyHousehold in Receipt of PIP Mobility OnlyHousehold in Receipt of PIP Daily Living and MobilityUK£639£810£753Wales£488£314£735This data is available publicly on the Stat Xplore website (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/) under the Family Resources Survey folder, in the Household dataset (2022-23).Please note:- Average household income is estimated based on sample data from the Family Resources Survey (FRS).- The data uses grossing factors based on 2011 Census data, so caution should be exercised when making comparisons with published reports and tables prior to 2012-13.- Relative to administrative records, the FRS is known to under-report State Support and benefit receipt. Please refer to the M6A and M6B tables in the FRS Methodology and Standard Error data tables.- In 2022-23, income from Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, Disability Cost of Living Payment, low-income benefits and tax credits Cost of Living Payment, Council Tax energy rebate, Energy Bills Support Scheme, Warm Home Discount and Welsh Fuel Support Scheme is included.- From 2021-22 income from directors’ dividends has been included in this data.

Whether she plans to review Personal Independence Payment Mandatory Reconsideration decision timelines to align with the eight week period before a Motability vehicle must be returned.

The role of a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) decision maker is to make a robust decision, supported by the law and available evidence. In law there is no time limit within which a MR decision must be made. This reflects the overarching policy that the focus should be on making the right decision and not the speed of clearance. Decisions will be made without delay, but if the decision maker considers that more time is needed to gather or consider evidence, then they will give themselves that time to ensure they are confident that the decision made is correct. There are no plans to review PIP MR timelines to align with the eight week period before a Motability vehicle must be returned. However, we are recruiting more MR decision makers and making overtime available to increase productivity and, in doing so, we expect to reduce wait times.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3769 on Crown Estate: Wales, what assessment she has made of the ability of the commissioners with special responsibilities for Wales as provided for within the Crown Estate Bill to perform their functions without disaggregated net revenue profit data for Wales.

The Crown Estate Bill, as amended in the House of Lords, requires the appointment of a Commissioner responsible for giving advice about Wales (alongside separate equivalent appointments for England and Northern Ireland). The Bill confirms that ‘giving advice about’ means the relevant Commissioner would give advice to the Commissioners about conditions in Wales, in so far as it relates to their functions in relation to Wales. It is the Treasury’s view that the ability to give that advice does not depend on having disaggregated net revenue profit data. The Crown Estate operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but its operations are not divided into business units by nation. It is not possible to disaggregate by nation without applying a high degree of subjective judgment in relation to costs. As was noted in the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3769, The Crown Estate does already publish a Wales Review to supplement the annual report, which highlights The Crown Estate’s work in Wales.

What recent discussions he has with the Welsh Government on developing a new nuclear site at Wylfa.

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.

What assessment he has made of the suitability of Wylfa to be designated as a preferred site for a new nuclear energy generation project.

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.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of designating Wylfa as a preferred site for a new nuclear energy generation project.

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.

Communities and Local Government, what recent progress she has made on developing a future funding framework to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund.

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.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the funding framework that will replace the shared prosperity fund.

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.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance in the Welsh Government on the funding framework that will replace the shared prosperity fund.

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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2025 to Question 25389 on Crown Estate: Wales, if she will list all ministerial level meetings with the Welsh Government where the devolution of the Crown Estate in Wales has been discussed.

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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 22766 on Crown Estates: Wales and with reference to the Answer by the First Minister of Wales to the Question from Rhun ap Iorwerth MS of 21 January 2025, for what reason the First Minister said that there had been discussions on devolving the Crown Estate to Wales.

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.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Ofgem's decision to allow a pause in new grid connections on the ability of the (a) Alaw Môn and (b) Maen Hir energy projects to connect to the grid.

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.

Whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay.

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.

What recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on devolving management of the Crown Estate to 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.

If he will publish details of any plans held by his Department for the development of a nuclear power station at Wylfa.

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 ...

What recent assessment has he made of the potential impact of the UK-Colombia bilateral agreement for the promotion and protection of investments, published in June 2014, on (a) climate change and (b)

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

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on funding improvements to Holyhead train station.

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.

Whether he has made an estimate of the cost of nationalising the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe.

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 ha...

Whether his Department has assessed the potential merits of nationalising the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe during its negotiations on that matter.

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 ha...

Communities and Local Government, what recent progress her Department has made on reviewing the outline business case for Anglesey Freeport; and whether she plans to make a decision on this in 2024.

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.