Tag: Speeches

Hannah Blythyn – 2022 Statement on Supporting Armed Forces and Veterans Communities in Wales

The statement made by Hannah Blythyn, the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership in Wales, on 21 November 2022.

Following the recent Remembrance period during which the country paid tribute to our Service People, Veterans and their families, I am pleased to inform Senedd Members of two significant and positive developments that will help support delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant across Wales.

The Office for National Statistics and Office for Veterans Affairs launched a UK-wide Veterans Survey on 10 November. The survey aims to learn more about the lives of the UK Armed Forces community, veterans and their families. The questions in the survey ask about access to services and circumstances since leaving the Armed Forces. It also asks about lifestyle, health and well-being. The Welsh Government has been fully involved in the development of the survey, alongside our counterparts from across the Devolved nations. The anonymous data from the survey will enable the Welsh Government, UK Government departments, public bodies and charities to further fine tune our plans for meeting the needs of Veterans into the future.

Early indications are of a significant response to the survey, including from Wales. The survey is anticipated to close in February 2023 and Senedd Members can help in extending its reach. The survey can be found at: Veterans’ Survey – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

I am also pleased to inform Senedd Members that the Armed Forces Covenant Duty will come into force on 22 November 2022. As I updated Members of the Senedd in October 2021, the duty will have implications for public bodies working in health, housing and education. Bodies will be expected to pay due regard to the Covenant when developing, delivering and reviewing policies and decisions relating to the Armed Forces community and to help improve their access to public services. We have worked with the UK Government to develop the Statutory Guidance to accompany this duty, which can be found at: Armed Forces Covenant Duty Statutory Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

December 3, 2022
Dawn Bowden – 2022 Statement on Delivering the Culture, Heritage and Sport Actions in the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan
The statement made by Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip, on 22 November 2022.

I am pleased to announce grant awards of £4.5m over the next three years to support the delivery of the culture, heritage and sport goals and actions in our Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, and our related Programme for Government and Co-operation Agreement commitments. I am grateful for the support and contribution from the Plaid Cymru Designated Member as we take forward this important work.

To eradicate institutional and systematic racism we must collectively and collaboratively work together to bring about change.

I have awarded just over £1.67m to our cultural and sport arm’s length bodies and more than £2.8m to 22 local, regional, national or independently run culture, heritage and sport organisations across Wales. This builds on the investment I made last financial year of almost £350,000 to begin the preparatory work with organisations including the National Library for Wales, the Archives and Records Council Wales and Race Council Cymru.

All the projects receiving funding have a focus on co-production, demonstrating our commitment to placing lived experience at the center of policy, service development and delivery.

Our national and local museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, and sporting venues need to be inclusive of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and places. Our culture, heritage and sports services must be culturally competent and reflective of the history and contribution made by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to Welsh society.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, the Arts Council of Wales, the National Library of Wales, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales and Sport Wales will use the funding to build on existing and new programmes of activity, accelerating their work on anti-racism at a national level.

Funding for Sport Wales will focus on the development and delivery of anti-racist training over a three-year period. The funding for the National Library of Wales will support several projects, including The Communities of Wales, which tells stories through the lens of people who moved to Wales. And the funding for Amgueddfa Cyrmru will enable more cultural programmes and events to be co-designed with community-based organisations, individuals and artists.

Funding for the Arts Council of Wales will enable the appointment of more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic creative practitioners and funding for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales will develop the Places We Remember project, which records the heritage of Welsh Asian communities in Wales.

The 22 other organisations to be supported are:
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
- Archives and Records Council Wales
- Association of Independent Museums
- Beyond the Border Wales
- Butetown Arts and Culture Association
- Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
- EatSleep Media
- GEM Cymru (Group for Education in Museums)
- Glamorgan Archives
- Gôl Centre
- Dr Marian Gwyn
- Hijinx
- KIRAN Cymru
- Makers Guild of Wales
- Monlife Heritage
- North Wales Regional Equality Network
- Race Council Cymru
- Show Racism the Red Card Wales
- Tennis Wales
- Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
- Tŷ Pawb and Wrexham County Borough Council Community Cohesion team
- Women Connect First
Last week, I visited two projects – Monlife Heritage and Tŷ Pawb – to hear how they will use the new funding and the difference it will make.
December 3, 2022
Rebecca Evans – 2022 Welsh Government Response to the UK Autumn Statement

The statement made by Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Minister for Finance and Local Government, on 17 November 2022.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer today presented his Autumn Statement against the backdrop of inflation at a 40-year high and the ongoing cost-of-living and cost-of-energy crisis for people, public services and businesses.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has confirmed the UK economy is in the early phase of a recession that will likely be lengthy and which will result in real and significant costs for people across the UK. The rate of unemployment is expected to increase substantially. People’s household disposable incomes are expected to fall by more than 7% over next two years – the biggest fall on record – to levels last seen in 2013.

Ahead of the Autumn Statement, I called on the Chancellor to invest in people and public services. This was partially reflected today, with additional funding over the next two years but it does little to address the immense challenges created by rising inflation.

Our overall settlement over the three-year spending review period (2022-23 to 2024-25) is still worth less in real terms than it was at the time of the Spending Review last year. We will receive an additional £1.2bn over the next two years (2023-24 and 2024-25) but our overall budget in 2024-25 will be no higher in real terms than in the current year and our capital budget will be 8.1% lower.

As the London School of Economics, OECD and others have stated, additional capital investment is vital to improve productivity and growth, yet there was little of substance in the Chancellor’s statement to support our energy security and decarbonisation.

The tax measures announced today do mean that those on higher incomes, and more able to afford it, are being asked to contribute more to help fill the hole created by the UK Government’s mismanagement of public finances. However, everyone is being asked to pay more.

I am concerned about the UK Government’s stealth tax increases on workers with its decision to freeze income tax thresholds, particularly the personal allowance. As more workers are drawn into higher tax bands, a greater proportion of their pay will immediately be lost. People in Wales are likely to be disproportionately affected by this measure.

The UK Government has listened to my suggestion to increase the windfall tax on the energy sector, however it could have done more to close loopholes that enable oil and gas companies to offset their tax liability if they invest profits in the UK. There was also scope for the UK Government to expand this tax to cover the banking sector.

Targeting support to the most vulnerable is an absolute necessity and it was essential that the Chancellor responded to our call to raise pensions and benefits in line with inflation. There was nothing in the statement about additional measures which could have made a practical difference to the cost-of-living crisis, such as help for those on pre-payment meters, support for credit unions and further action to prevent people becoming homeless.

While the Chancellor’s Statement provided further details of the energy price guarantee for homes, from April next year the average household can still expect to see a further increase of £500 in its annual energy bill and there was no clarity for businesses about what tariffs they will be paying next year.

Inflation has eroded the Welsh Government’s budget to worrying levels and local authorities and NHS organisations are reporting significant shortfalls in funding as a result of inflation, pay pressures and rising energy costs. The Chancellor’s statement today fails to address this significant funding gap.

To make up this shortfall and secure the short-term future of the vital public services on which we all rely, we needed to see our budget increase in line with inflation. This has not happened.

As a Welsh Government, we will continue to work to prioritise our budgets to shield the most vulnerable and maintain our commitment to create a stronger, fairer and greener Wales as we prepare our draft Budget 2023-24.

We will carefully consider the detail of today’s statement as we work towards publication of the draft Budget next month.

December 3, 2022
Jeremy Miles – 2022 Statement on Welsh History in the Curriculum for Wales

The statement made by Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Minister for Education and Welsh Language, on 15 November 2022.

We believe that everyone should learn about and be able to critically engage with the history of our country in all its diversity. Our vision is for all of our citizens, including young people, to understand how history, language, diversity and culture have shaped Wales to become the proud and unique nation we are today. We want all our learners to understand the history of Wales including the history of the Welsh language. Moreover, we want all of our learners to feel inspired to use the Cymraeg they have, wherever they are on their Welsh language journey.

Through the statements of ‘What Matters’ Code and the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience, Welsh history is a mandatory part of the new curriculum.

The Welsh Government strengthened the statements of ‘What Matters’ for Humanities following consultation in spring 2021 to ensure the study of Welsh history is both explicit and compulsory for schools and settings. They now state:

“Through consistent exposure to the story of their locality and the story of Wales, as well as to the story of the wider world, learners can develop an understanding of the complex, pluralistic and diverse nature of societies, past and present. These stories are diverse, spanning different communities as well as in particular the stories of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. This also enables learners to develop a common understanding of the diverse history, cultural heritage, ethnic diversity, identities, experiences and perspectives of their local area, Wales and the wider world.”

The Co-operation Agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government emphasises the importance of Welsh history – in all of its diversity and complexity – being mandatory in the new Curriculum for Wales and commits us to reviewing the mandatory statements of What Matters Code and other supporting guidance to further strengthen this shared commitment. This will happen, following consultation, over the course of the coming academic year to provide explicit reference to the ‘history of Wales and the world’. The guidance underpinning this will also be updated to reflect and provide full support for this change. In line with Co-Operation Agreement, we will also commission the development of an overarching timeline of Welsh history and further updates will be provided in due course.

The Welsh Government held a National Network conversation on Welsh history, in all its diversity, in April 2022. This conversation gathered perspectives from schools and stakeholders to develop common approaches around the teaching of local and Welsh history and how the Welsh language and diverse communities can play a vital role in identity and belonging. We are now looking at how we can further support teachers. This will include holding further National Network conversations focused on Welsh history and culture, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories and culture in Wales, and the history and current situation of the Welsh language in terms of national and local contexts.

We are also commissioning supporting materials to enable teachers designing their curriculum to reflect Wales’ diverse history and communities. This includes a specific timeline to support the teaching and learning of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories and contributions, plus an interactive map of Wales.

We will continue to work with stakeholders, including historians and academics, over the coming months to look at further ways of supporting teachers as we move towards the full implementation of the Curriculum for Wales. Delivering the recommendations made by the ‘Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum Working Group’ will be integral to the teaching of Welsh history. In June, I published an Annual Report on the progress made to date on implementation of the recommendations.

Today, I am also publishing our formal response to the Estyn thematic report on The teaching of Welsh history including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic history, identity and culture. We are addressing these recommendations as part of the implementation of the actions above. I am delighted to confirm that Professor Charlotte Williams OBE has agreed to extend her advisory role with the Welsh Government to support the embedding of the recommendations.

It is vital that we continue to promote and support the delivery of Welsh history in the new curriculum and enable our learners to become ethical and informed citizens of Wales and the wider world. It is important that young people are able to explore the diverse history of Wales, discover their heritage and understand the importance of the Welsh language, and develop their understanding of their cynefin.

December 3, 2022
Vaughan Gething – 2022 Statement on a Statutory Licensing Scheme for all Visitor Accommodation in Wales

The statement made by Vaughan Gething, the Welsh Minister for the Economy, in the Welsh Parliament on 15 November 2022.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased to have the opportunity today to provide an update on the steps we are taking to help secure a sustainable and thriving visitor economy that supports and enhances communities across Wales. The visitor economy is rapidly changing, and the role of visitor accommodation presents major challenges for communities across the world. For example, the growth of online booking platforms has brought many benefits, such as new routes to market and increased consumer choice. However, we are aware of the concerns around compliance with existing requirements and the impact of short-term lets on housing stock and our communities.

Our plans to develop a statutory licensing scheme will be focused on levelling the playing field as part of a long-term response to the major challenges that we face. Our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru commits to a statutory licensing scheme for holiday lets as part of a package of measures to address the negative impact second homes and short-term holiday lets can have on the availability and affordability of housing for local people in our communities. In July of this year, the First Minister and the leader of Plaid Cymru confirmed plans to introduce a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation, including short-term lets, making it a requirement to obtain a licence, with the aim of raising standards across the tourism industry.

Prior to that, and over the course of the past year, we have been exploring and engaging with stakeholders how such a scheme could work in Wales. Contractors were appointed to undertake this work last year and they conducted interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders from local authorities, sector representative bodies and accommodation operators. They explored the benefits of such a scheme and the key considerations of how such a scheme could be taken forward and implemented here in Wales. A review of how other destinations globally approach such schemes was also taken into account. This initial work has shaped the consultation that the Government will look to be launching shortly.

But first, Dirprwy Lywydd, I’d like to outline the aims and proposed benefits of such a scheme. The primary aim is to establish a level playing field for all visitor accommodation businesses operating in the sector. The concern around the lack of a level playing field has been a long-standing area of discussion. Specifically, there are concerns that certain parts of the sector, for example informal short-term lets, do not meet or comply with their statutory obligations, whereas established, bona fide businesses do. A statutory licensing scheme could provide the mechanism to address this through requiring operators to evidence that they have certain requirements in place, such as the correct insurance, confirmation of planning status, evidence of fire-risk assessment, gas safety certificate, proof of electrical safety, to list a few examples. This scheme will help to ensure that there is a consistent standard that all operators should meet. Having a scheme where visitor accommodation businesses must meet a certain threshold of requirements conveys a very clear message to consumers that visitor accommodation businesses in Wales meet certain requirements on standards and safety.

A scheme would also give us enhanced intelligence—a comprehensive database, which is not currently available, of exactly who is operating in the industry. It is currently not possible to determine how many visitor accommodation businesses there are in Wales or in any given community. Understanding the scale and the nature of the sector will be an important tool in developing future policies at either a local or national level. Establishing a statutory database of licensed visitor accommodation businesses would give the Welsh Government and other partners, such as local authorities, a mechanism to communicate on key issues relating to the sector. We saw how challenging it can be to reach all parts of the sector through our recent experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also recognise that a statutory licensing scheme will provide an important foundation for other policy areas. Having the information provided by such a scheme will provide data on the scale and nature of our tourism offer to inform policy considerations, locally and nationally, around evidence-led management of second homes, holiday lets and developing the visitor economy and infrastructure. It could also support the collection of a visitor levy. For the visitor levy, having a licensing system would provide a comprehensive list of all visitor accommodation providers in an area. This could support the ongoing administration of the levy, as those who will require a licence will likely be the same as those who will be required to charge and collect a levy. There are clear links between these proposals, and I would encourage contributions to the 12-week visitor levy consultation, which closes on 13 December.

As I previously mentioned, in looking to establish a statutory licensing scheme, we’re also looking at similar mechanisms operational or in development across the world. In the UK, different approaches have been taken by our neighbours and are at different stages of development. In Northern Ireland, visitor accommodation providers must receive certification by Tourism Northern Ireland in order to operate, and this scheme has been in place since 1992. The Scottish Government has legislation in place requiring all short-term let hosts and operators to obtain a licence to operate, unless specifically excluded. Existing hosts and operators have until 1 April next year to apply for a licence in Scotland. And in England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently closed a call for evidence on the potential introduction of a tourist accommodation registration scheme. The purpose of the DCMS consultation is to better understand the benefits and challenges of the increase in short-term and holiday letting in England, and to gather initial evidence on the potential impact of a range of possible policy responses. There are other examples too, such as the compulsory schemes operating in the Isle of Man and in the Republic of Ireland. We’re looking to learn from these various examples, including what lessons can be learnt from the Rent Smart Wales model in terms of developing our own scheme.

Following a series of engagement sessions with key stakeholders over recent months, we will shortly be launching a formal consultation to seek views on the shape and nature of the proposed statutory licensing scheme here in Wales. Feedback on some of the aims underlying a proposed licensing scheme has been supportive, especially in relation to establishing a level playing field, developing better intelligence and increased consumer confidence. However, some concerns have been raised around the perceived regulatory burden that may accompany a licensing scheme. This includes the work involved in providing evidence of current use in relation to planning, and the role played by local authorities in meeting this demand.

Both the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru agree that a statutory licensing scheme offers the most robust mechanism for delivery in Wales, being an approach that sets a standard for visitor accommodation businesses to operate. However, the consultation will enable a range of views to come forward, including on the requirements of a licensing scheme. We’ll be seeking views on how such a statutory scheme could operate, be that nationally or at a local level, or a hybrid model combining elements of both. In addition, we’ll be looking to gather views on whether all visitor accommodation businesses should require a licence, or whether there should be any exceptions. We’ll also look to test how frequently licences should be renewed, and the licence fees that might need to be charged. In deciding on any fee structure, we are of course mindful of the pressures on businesses in the current climate.

We believe that most people would want to operate within the law, therefore one of the aims is to develop a scheme that will ensure a high level of voluntary compliance. However, proposals for compliance and enforcement measures, including penalties, to ensure fairness will be tested at consultation. We will be launching the consultation in December and will be encouraging our stakeholders to engage in the process. Diolch yn fawr. I’m happy to take questions.

December 3, 2022
Dawn Bowden – 2022 Statement on a Culture Strategy for Wales

The statement made by Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Deputy Minister for Arts & Sport and Chief Whip, on 15 November 2022.

Developing a Culture Strategy for Wales is a key Programme for Government and Co-operation Agreement commitment within my portfolio.

As Wales begins to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and at a time when people’s wellbeing and resilience is being adversely affected by rising costs of living and difficult financial forecasts, we must maintain a focus on those areas that make a positive difference to people’s everyday lives. We know that cultural and creative experiences are valued by the public, and that our arts, culture and heritage sectors contribute to personal wellbeing and community cohesion. I am pleased therefore to be able to share a short progress update on the development of a new culture strategy for Wales.

Working with Plaid Cymru designated members, we have agreed that the scope of the strategy will include arts, museums, libraries, archives, and the historic environment, and it will look at how we can best support and develop these sectors in Wales. The strategy should consider, but not be limited to, the role of culture and the arts in promoting positive health and wellbeing, equalities, lifelong learning and skills, supporting digital developments in Wales, the visitor economy, and the Welsh language, together with resilience building to enable effective recovery from the pandemic and delivery on the requirements of the Future Generations Act.

The Strategy will focus on how we can protect, conserve, and promote the arts, culture and historic assets and collections both now and for future generations. It will develop an inclusive, holistic approach to supporting our sectors and will have a focus on improving equitable access to and participation in all aspects of cultural life in Wales. It will also seek to enhance the close inter-operability of the arts, culture and heritage sectors, so they can collaborate more effectively, across sectors and in partnership with community groups and other stakeholders.

Following a recent procurement exercise, a lead partner has been appointed to work collaboratively with Welsh Government to produce a new strategy for publication in 2023.

Over the next few months, the contractor will undertake intensive research and engagement activity. This will involve working closely with partners across the arts, culture and heritage sectors, including but not limited to the four cultural sponsored bodies, Cadw, local sector organisations and people who work in these sectors on the ground. The contractor will also seek input from communities across Wales, especially those that are traditionally excluded or under-served.

The development of the strategy will be supported by an Overarching Steering Group, which will scrutinise and critically evaluate progress on the development of the strategy, providing conceptual thinking and informed challenge to Welsh Government as required.

My focus is on ensuring that the new strategy is innovative, ambitious and fit for purpose, and that it is a strategy that will be welcomed by the culture and heritage sectors and by the people of Wales. I will keep the Senedd informed of significant milestones as the work progresses.

December 3, 2022
Jeremy Miles – 2022 Statement on the Teachers’ Pay Award in Wales

The statement made by Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, on 14 November 2022.

I can announce today there will be an uplift of pay for our highly skilled and hardworking teachers in Wales.

On 21 July, subject to consultation with key stakeholders, I agreed in principle to accept all of the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s recommendations for 2022/23 including an uplift of 5% to all statutory salary points on all pay scales and for all allowances from September 2022. I can confirm today that we will be accepting the Review Body’s recommendations.

The new starting salary for teachers will therefore be £28,866 and the salaries of more experienced classroom teachers will increase by £2,117 to £44,450. Additionally, all allowances will also be uprated by 5%.

I accept that some may be disappointed that a higher award could not be provided and recognise the legitimate right of all workers to seek a fair and decent pay rise during this challenging time of inflation and cost of living rises.

However, as additional funding has not been made available by the UK Government, we are not in a position to further address these issues over and above what has previously been considered. The Welsh Government’s budget will be worth £4bn less over the three years of the current settlement – £1.5bn lower next year. This is before the much touted further budgetary cuts the UK Government claims it will make imminently. Within this context, it is simply unaffordable, and would be irresponsible, to propose higher pay rises. We repeat our calls for the UK Government to finally do the right thing and act urgently to restore Wales’s budget so that we can support our public services.

Members will recognise that there is a huge amount of ongoing financial uncertainty.

In relation to future pay awards from September 2023, no compelling evidence was provided to alter my earlier proposal for the IWPRB recommendations to be kept under review and be used as a planning assumption, subject to such a review.

I also welcomed the IWPRBs recommendations on improvements to some key terms and conditions of teachers, notably in relation to remuneration of part-time teachers for TLR allowances; and the need to review the remuneration of ALNCos. I thank both employers and teacher unions for working alongside us on these matters to further improve terms and conditions for teachers in Wales. In particular, I welcome the agreed revisions to the required methodology for calculating TLR allowances for part time teachers which will improve the transparency and fairness for those part time teachers carrying out these roles from now on.

Consequently, I will today make the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Order 2022 which gives effect to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document 2022.

The pay award will be backdated to 1 September 2022. Timing of the implementation of the award will be a matter for employers. Initial discussions with local authorities have been positive, with the aim to arrange for back pay to be passed on as soon as possible, hopefully before the end of December.

Moving forward, I welcome the opportunity to continue to work together with stakeholders on a comprehensive review of the structure of teachers’ and leaders’ pay and conditions. This will provide us with further opportunities to improve and enhance the system and, where we can, make it fairer and more transparent for all teachers. Such partnership working will also help to promote teaching as a profession of choice for graduates and career changers.

December 3, 2022
Rebecca Evans – 2022 Statement on Council Tax Premiums in Wales

The statement made by Rebecca Evans, the Minister for Finance and Local Government in Wales, in the Welsh Parliament on 11 November 2022.

On 24 May 2022, I announced the next steps being taken by the Welsh Government, following our consultation on local taxes for second homes and self‑catering accommodation. These steps form part of our plans to ensure property owners make a fair contribution to the communities where they have homes or run businesses. This work, in turn, contributes to the Welsh Government’s three-pronged approach to addressing the impact that large numbers of second homes and holiday lets can have on communities and the Welsh language.

Following our consultation, the Welsh Government is of the view that properties let out as self-catering accommodation on an infrequent basis should be liable for council tax. We have therefore legislated to increase the number of days for which self-catering properties must be available to let or actually let in order to be classified as non‑domestic. The new letting criteria will apply from 1 April 2023 and will ensure that self-catering properties are classed as non‑domestic only if they are being used for business purposes for the majority of the year. We have also legislated to increase the maximum level at which local authorities can decide to apply council tax premiums to second homes and long-term empty dwellings to 300% from 1 April 2023.

I recognise the strength of feeling among self-catering operators in response to the changes and have listened to the representations from individual businesses and industry representative bodies. We have considered whether further measures are needed to accompany the changes to the local taxes.

The Welsh Government recognises that some self-catering properties are restricted by planning conditions preventing permanent occupation as someone’s main residence. The Council Tax (Exceptions to Higher Amounts) (Wales) Regulations 2015 were made to accompany the introduction of the discretionary powers for local authorities to apply council tax premiums and prevent specified types of second homes and long-term empty dwellings from being charged a premium. These regulations already provide for an exception from a council tax premium for properties restricted by a planning condition preventing occupation for a continuous period of at least 28 days in any one‑year period.

I am publishing today a technical consultation to invite views on the draft Council Tax (Exceptions to Higher Amounts) (Wales) Regulations 2023. The draft Regulations extend the existing exception to apply to properties with a planning condition which specifies that the property may only be used for short term holiday lets or which prevents their permanent occupation as a person’s sole or main residence. Such properties would become liable for council tax at the standard rate if they do not meet the letting criteria for classification as non-domestic property but they could not be charged a premium. This is consistent with our policy view that property owners should make a fair contribution to local communities either through local taxation or through the economic benefit they bring to an area.

It is intended the application date for introducing the extended exceptions will be 1 April 2023, in conjunction with the changes to the letting criteria and to the maximum council tax premium. It will therefore apply only to properties that become liable for council tax after 1 April 2023.

I am also publishing a consultation on the revised guidance on council tax premiums for long‑term empty dwellings and second homes. This includes additional options that are available to local authorities in the event that self-catering properties restricted by planning conditions do not meet the letting criteria.

The consultation on the draft guidance will run alongside the technical consultation for a period of 6 weeks. Responses are requested by 22 December 2022. All responses will be taken into account in considering any further developments.

As part of the Cooperation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, we are committed to taking immediate action to address the impact of second homes and unaffordable housing in communities across Wales, using the planning, property and taxation systems. As we continue to progress the package of measures and drawing on the latest evidence base, we will keep under constant review the range of levers available to use and how they may be deployed most effectively to meet our policy objectives and avoid unintended consequences.

December 3, 2022
Mark Harper – 2022 Statement on Railway Infrastructure in England and Wales

The statement made by Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for Transport, in the House of Commons on 1 December 2022.

I should like to make a statement on the settlement for the next five-year funding period for railway infrastructure in England and Wales.

Maintaining and renewing our country’s rail infrastructure is critical to delivering the railway that passengers and freight companies expect, and for supporting economic growth. Every five years the Government are required to set out what we wish to achieve from the operations, maintenance and renewal of the railway. This is done through a document known as a high-level output specification, and the funding available is set out through a statement of funds available.

I am today, 1 December, publishing the objectives and funds available for operational railway infrastructure in England and Wales for the next control period, control period 7. This covers the period April 2024 to March 2029.

The Government fully recognise the critical role that rail services played for business, key workers and our society during the covid-19 pandemic, and the vital role that they play in connecting communities and supporting economic growth.

The high-level output specification makes it clear that the Government will press ahead with rail reform, addressing the challenges facing the sector, such as fragmentation and outdated working practices, with a strong continued focus on operations, maintenance and renewal. This strong continued focus is important in supporting a safe, efficient and reliable railway for passengers and freight customers.

Achieving these objectives will be facilitated by significant Government investment as set out in the statement of funds available, with Network Rail spending around £44 billion over the period April 2024 to March 2029. The Government now expect Network Rail to develop detailed plans to deliver on these objectives, working closely with its customers. These will then be subject to strong and effective scrutiny by the Office of Rail and Road, as independent regulator, to develop robust, credible, value-for-money plans for the next control period.

December 2, 2022
Julia Lopez – 2022 Statement on Project Gigabit (Autumn 2022)

The statement made by Julia Lopez, the Minister of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, in the House of Commons on 1 December 2022.

Today we have published Building Digital UK’s latest Project Gigabit delivery update. We continue to make excellent progress with Project Gigabit, the Government’s £5 billion mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband across the UK.

In this Project Gigabit autumn update, we report on the awarding of a £108 million contract in Cumbria that will bring gigabit-capable connectivity to up to 60,000 homes and businesses across the region. This is the first regional contract awarded under Project Gigabit, and follows local contracts awarded in Teesdale and north Northumberland in the past two months.

We also report on the boost we are giving to the gigabit broadband voucher scheme, increasing the value of vouchers to £4,500 for all beneficiaries, up from £1,500 and £3,500 for homes and businesses respectively. To date, over 111,000 vouchers have been provided through the scheme and its previous iterations, with more than 77,000 vouchers used to connect premises to gigabit-capable broadband.

The report also provides an update on the progress of the Project Gigabit procurement pipeline. BDUK has now undertaken market engagement exercises across the whole of England, and has launched procurements with a total value over £780 million, to connect up to 545,000 premises. The publication also reports on the completion of a public review by Highland and Islands Enterprise, working with BDUK and the Scottish Government, ahead of a first potential local procurement in Scotland.

I will place a copy of the Project Gigabit delivery plan autumn update in the Libraries of both Houses.

December 2, 2022