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<p>The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh
constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits,
events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.</p><p>Details of Ministerial visits
and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website
and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings
conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of
the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.</p><p>The UK Government
has provided extensive support to Torfaen. A typical household in Wales has received
almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes
over 223,000 payments delivered in Torfaen through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
During the Covid-19 pandemic over 13,000 jobs were supported through the furlough
scheme, over £24 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
and over £45 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Torfaen with around £8.4 million
awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019.</p><p>In addition, Torfaen County Borough
Council, the local authority for the Torfaen constituency, is receiving over £24 million
from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Torfaen is also receiving over
£7 million from the Levelling Up Fund to deliver a cultural hub in Pontypool. Torfaen
also benefits from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, including £1.5
million invested in the Pontypool and New Inn park and ride facility.</p><p>This Government
is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional
Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest
through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply
adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling
Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership
Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business
Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable
hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.</p><p><strong>
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