I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of issues, including the cost of living.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Newport West. This includes Cost of Living payments for around 13,100 eligible households totalling up to £900 per household. Furthermore, around 240,000 payments have been delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures and consequently has provided unprecedented levels of support to families across the UK. Measures announced at the Autumn Statement mean the UK Government will spend £104 billion between 2022 and 2025 to help families with the cost of living, which is an average of £3,700 per UK household. Owing to the cut in National Insurance tax from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit from an annual gain of £324.<\/p>
<\/p>
Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to help people with the cost of living.<\/p>
<\/p>
Although housing is a devolved matter, the UK Government is supporting low-income households, by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lower 30% of local rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "10539"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-26T11:05:27.427Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cost of Living: Wales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4716", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth Jones"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth Jones"} ], "uin" : "10537"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683328", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683328/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have not had any recent discussions with the Trussell Trust on these topics. However, in my role as Secretary of State for Wales, I regularly meet with stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues such as the cost of living.<\/p>
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Newport West. This includes Cost of Living payments for around 13,100 eligible households totalling up to £900 per household. Furthermore, around 240,000 payments have been delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.<\/p>
The UK Government recognises the challenges posed by cost of living pressures and consequently has provided unprecedented levels of support to families across the UK. Measures announced at the Autumn Statement mean the UK Government will spend £104 billion between 2022 and 2025 to help families with the cost of living, which is an average of £3,700 per UK household. Owing to the cut in National Insurance from January 2024, 1.2 million workers in Wales will benefit from an annual gain of £324 back.<\/p>
Moreover, the National Living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour for workers over 21 and the National Minimum wage will increase by 14.8% to £8.60 per hour for people aged 18-20. This will benefit 140,000 people in Wales and is further evidence of the support the UK Government is providing to help people with the cost of living.<\/p>
Although housing is a devolved matter, the UK Government is supporting low-income households by increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). From April 2024, the UK Government will be investing £1.2 billion increasing LHA rates to cover the lower 30% of local rents. Around 1.6 million private renters in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will gain nearly £800 per year on average in additional help towards their rental costs in 2024/25. In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-26T10:58:32.313Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cost of Living and Food Poverty: Wales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Trussell Trust on (a) the cost of living and (b) food poverty in (i) Newport West constituency and (ii) Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4716", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth Jones"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth Jones"} ], "uin" : "10538"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683331", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683331/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have regular discussions with Home Office ministers on a range of issues and I recognise the contribution of the Windrush Generation to Wales. I was pleased to meet the Windrush Cymru Elders at the Mission Seafarers in Newport on 31 October 2023.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Windrush Compensation Scheme is determined to ensure everyone who was affected receives every penny of the compensation to which they are entitled at the earliest point possible. The scheme is making significant progress towards achieving this aim. As of the end of November 2023, the scheme had paid over £75 million in compensation and over 78% of claims received had been given a final decision.<\/p>
<\/p>
The time to allocate a claim for a substantive casework consideration has been reduced significantly, from 18 months to under 4 months. The 4 month period includes all essential eligibility checks, together with a Preliminary Assessment to make an initial payment of £10,000 wherever possible.<\/p>
<\/p>
However, each person\u2019s claim is deeply personal and deserves to be processed with the utmost care and sensitivity so that the maximum payment can be made to them.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T14:09:12.963Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Windrush Compensation Scheme: Wales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the time taken to process claims to the Windrush Compensation Scheme from people in Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4716", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth Jones"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth Jones"} ], "uin" : "10541"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682937", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682937/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
(a) <\/strong>Membership<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> The People, Skills and Business sub-group membership will include a wide range of people including Tata Steel representatives, business leaders, officials in the UK Government and the Welsh Government, employees of Neath Port Talbot Council and community representatives, including a regional Member of the Senedd. Trade Union representatives will also be invited.<\/p> <\/p> (b) <\/strong>Remit<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> The People, Skills and Business sub-group is being established to provide immediate support for the people, businesses and communities directly affected by Tata Steel UK\u2019s decarbonisation transition. The sub-group will operate beneath the Transition Board, to coordinate activity at a local level and report progress and challenges and make recommendations to the Transition Board.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T14:13:41.88Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tata Steel: Port Talbot"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the (a) membership and (b) remit is of the people, skills and business sub-group of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "10152"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682938", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682938/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " (a) <\/strong>Membership <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> The Place and Regeneration sub-group membership will include a wide range of people including Tata Steel representatives, business leaders, employees of the UK Government and the Welsh Government, employees of Neath Port Talbot Council and community representatives, including a regional Member of the Senedd. Trade Union representatives will also be invited.<\/p> <\/p> (b) <\/strong>Remit <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> The Place and Regeneration sub-group will provide the Transition Board with advice on how to protect and grow the economic environment as a result of Tata Steel UK\u2019s decarbonisation transition. They operate beneath the Transition Board, to coordinate activity at a local level and report progress and challenges and make recommendations to the Transition Board.<\/p> <\/p> The Place and Regeneration sub-group will develop a Local Economic Action Plan that will provide the Transition Board with advice on how to ensure regeneration and economic growth for the local area for the next decade.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T14:13:12.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tata Steel: Port Talbot"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the (a) membership and (b) remit is of the place and regeneration sub-group of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "10153"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682939", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682939/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board will start to receive recommendations on investments from the sub-groups after the formal consultation on the transition has begun. Decisions on investment will happen once the consultation has concluded and there is an understanding of what the impact of Tata Steel\u2019s decarbonisation plans will be.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T14:12:28.887Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tata Steel: Port Talbot"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent estimate he has made of when the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board will receive recommendations on investment from the sub-groups.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "10154"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682940", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682940/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I invited Community, Unite and GMB trade union representatives to both of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board meetings that have taken place so far. There have been trade union representatives in attendance at both meetings.<\/p> <\/p> I also met with the trade unions outside of the Transition Board and will continue to engage interested parties from trade unions, business and the communities affected.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T14:11:51.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tata Steel: Port Talbot"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether representatives from trade unions were invited to attend the two meetings of the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "10155"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682941", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682941/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board reviewed and agreed the terms of reference at the inaugural Board meeting on Thursday 19 October 2023.<\/p> <\/p> The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board has been established to provide advice on how to protect and grow the economic environment and to support and mitigate the impact on those workers, businesses and communities directly affected by Tata Steel UK decarbonisation transition.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T14:11:11.243Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tata Steel: Port Talbot"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Tata Steel and Port Talbot Transition Board has undertaken its review of the group\u2019s terms of reference.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "10156"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683037", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683037/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has already paid out over £153 million to over 2,700 victims. In the overturned convictions scheme, 95 convictions have been overturned, with 31 claimants agreeing full and final settlements. Over £33 million has been paid out to those with overturned convictions, which includes interim payments and partial settlements.<\/p> <\/p> Of the original trailblazing postmasters in the \u201cGLO\u201d group who took the Post Office to court and exposed the Horizon Scandal, £27 million has been paid out to 477 claimants. The original 2,417 postmasters who claimed through the original Horizon Shortfall Scheme have now all had offers of compensation. Offers have totalled over £107m and over £93 million has been paid out in this scheme, with Post Office now dealing with late applications and with those cases where the initial offer was not accepted.<\/p> <\/p> In the coming weeks, we will introduce new primary legislation to quash all convictions that were reliant on erroneous Horizon evidence. Once this legislation is passed, and convictions have been overturned, they will be entitled to at least £600,000 in compensation to rebuild their lives.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David T C Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T11:12:09.057Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post Office: Wales"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the payment of compensation to sub-postmasters in Wales affected by issues with the Horizon system.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1548", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jessica Morden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jessica Morden"}
], "uin" : "10067"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683039", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683039/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " My officials and I regularly meet with businesses across Wales, including those in the hospitality sector, to discuss a variety of issues.<\/p> The Government provided an unprecedented package of support of £7.4 billion through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) which ended on 31 March 2023, shielding businesses and saving some around half of their wholesale energy cost.<\/p> The EBRS was replaced by the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), which provides support to all eligible non-domestic energy users paying the highest energy prices starting from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Since the scheme was introduced, wholesale energy prices have now fallen significantly, and inflation has fallen from its peak of 11.1% to 4%.<\/p> In addition, at Autumn Statement 2023, the government announced that it is freezing Climate Change Levy rates for 2025-26 to continue achieving CCL\u2019s environmental objectives without increasing the impact to businesses\u2019 energy bills.<\/p> The UK Government is providing further support to the hospitality sector by freezing alcohol duty until August 2024, and increasing the new Draught Relief duty from the initially proposed 5% to 9.2%. In addition, in England, we have extended the 75% relief on business rates available to hospitality, retail and leisure businesses. I am concerned about the impact of the cut to non-domestic rates relief for hospitality businesses proposed by the Welsh Government in their recent draft budget.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David T C Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Monmouth"}
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