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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 Newport West. A typical household in Wales has received
almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes
over 240,000 payments delivered in Newport West through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
During the Covid-19 pandemic over 13,000 jobs were supported through the furlough
scheme, around £24 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support
Scheme and around £68 million was given to businesses through government-backed business
loans.</p><p>The UK Government has also supported innovation within Newport West with
over £10.5 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Newport West will also
benefit from UK Government funding to refurbish public tennis courts across the UK.</p><p>Our
Semiconductor Strategy targets UK strengths, including compound semiconductors. As
the home of the world's first compound semiconductor cluster, South East Wales, including
Newport West, is well placed to benefit from the Semiconductor strategy and the funding
announced.</p><p>In addition, Newport City Council, the local authority for the Newport
West constituency, is receiving over £32 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared
Prosperity Fund. Newport West also benefits from the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital
Region City Deal, including almost £38 million invested in the semi-conductor cluster.</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>
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