Tag: Welsh Office

The press release issued by the Welsh Office on 1 March 2023.

The Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies marks the first St David’s Day since his appointment.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies celebrates Wales and looks ahead to an exciting year to come in his first St David’s Day message since his appointment as Welsh Secretary.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

I’m delighted to deliver my first St David’s Day message as the Secretary of State for Wales and I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone celebrating our national day in Wales and around the world.

The future looks bright for our nation in spite of the challenges that we are all facing. The war in Ukraine has meant high energy costs, making life difficult for many. But it has also brought out the best of the community spirit that Wales is so famous for. So many people have welcomed Ukrainian people into their homes, providing sanctuary and a place to call home for those desperately in need.

And it is that same community spirit, coupled with hard work and determination, that is helping us recover from the Covid pandemic and build a prosperous future for Wales.

The UK Government is doing all it can to deliver for the people of Wales. We will soon announce the successful bid for the first Freeport in Wales, which will create jobs and drive growth and prosperity. And earlier this year we announced £208 million for eleven more major Levelling Up projects across Wales, adding to the £160m previously committed to more than 170 Welsh levelling up projects and around £790 million to progress growth deals covering every part of the country.

Wales has an incredibly important part to play in future green technology, with the huge potential for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, marine energy, nuclear and industrial decarbonisation.

We have the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster in South Wales, supported by investment from the UK Government, and fast-growing media production and FinTech industries. And our famous food and drink sector continues to thrive.

And of course we have wonderful countryside, a beautiful coastline and vibrant cities and towns which make Wales such an attractive tourist destination.

But this exciting future for Wales is only possible because of the people who contribute their energy and passion to making our communities great places to live. Happy St David’s Day to you all.

The press release issued by the Welsh Office on 10 February 2023.

The club received £66,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Grassroots football fund.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has been to Welshpool Town Football Club to see the new facilities that have been partly funded by the UK Government. The club was granted nearly £66,000 towards creating three new football pitches for junior players to replace pitches lost to the building of a new school.

Welshpool Town Football Club was founded in 1878 and the first team currently play in the Lock Stock Ardal North East League. The club has a popular junior section with ten age groups and one girls’ team.

Mr Davies visited the new pitches on Thursday (9 February) where he heard from the club about their plans to expand and offer facilities for walking football and training and matches to more women and girls’ teams.

Club Secretary Eva Bredsdorff said:

Welshpool Town FC was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales to their home ground at Maesydre and show him the three new pitches which have been created thanks to a generous grant from the UK Government.

We discussed our immediate and long-term plans and how we are hoping to develop the football facilities in Welshpool.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

It was hugely enjoyable to visit the club which is at the heart of the community in Welshpool. And it was a pleasure to meet the volunteers who give so much time and energy making sure Welshpool Town FC continues to thrive.

I’m thrilled to see UK Government investment in facilities like this which bring incalculable health and social benefits to local people.

Steve Williams, President of the Football Association of Wales, said:

Improving grassroots facilities is a key focus for us at the FAW. Through the recently launched Cymru Football Foundation, we are committed to supporting football clubs across Wales to be community hubs bringing social, health and economic benefits to the areas they serve.

The investment in new facilities at Welshpool Town, which has been made possible through funding from Department of Culture, Media and Sport, is a prime example of this work.

It was a pleasure to join the Secretary of State on his visit to see the new pitches and to discuss the positive impact that this investment from the UK Government has had on the local community.

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales on 19 January 2023.

• A total of 11 projects receive grants from round two of flagship Levelling Up Fund
• Projects include Cardiff Crossrail, engineering campus in Blaenau Gwent, restoration of Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, and new cycle routes through Conwy Valley
• Investment in historically overlooked areas will create jobs and grow the economy

Cardiff Crossrail, a new engineering campus in Blaenau Gwent, and new cycle routes through Conwy Valley are just some of the transformational local projects across Wales awarded a share of £2.1 billion from the UK Government’s landmark Levelling Up Fund.

Major UK Government investment will benefit people across Wales by spreading opportunity and breathing new life into historically overlooked areas.

A total of 11 projects in Wales have been allocated more than £208 million from round two of the Levelling Up Fund. The projects will create jobs, drive economic growth, help restore people’s pride in the places where they live and spread opportunity more equally..

This will drive forward the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by levelling up and provide the foundations for building a better future in communities across the UK. By working together the UK is better able to collectively tackle the individual challenges faced by every region and nation across the country.

Grants include £50 million for Cardiff Crossrail, the joint highest amount awarded to a UK project. There is also £9 million for a new engineering campus for 600 students in Blaenau Gwent and £18.6 million for a new cycle route between Llandudno Junction and Betws y Coed via the Conwy Valley.

Nearly £18 million will help renovate the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, one of the most recognisable buildings in South Wales, which has deteriorated after years of piecemeal refurbishments.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

That’s why we are backing a number of projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities in Wales.

By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

We are firing the starting gun on more than a hundred transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential.

This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

This is a hugely significant investment in truly significant projects across Wales. I’m delighted to see so many successful bids from around the country for schemes which will have an impact for generations to come.

This funding will regenerate town centres and historic buildings, create new cycle and walking paths through some of our most beautiful countryside, improve facilities for visitors, deliver transport solutions for Cardiff and contribute to the health and future job opportunities for people in the areas involved.

I am very much looking forward to following the progress of these projects as they help us achieve our ambitions of levelling up the UK and growing the Welsh economy.

Projects in Wales awarded Levelling Up Fund grants today:

• £50 million for Crossrail Cardiff. This will help deliver a new line between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station, improving travel for thousands of people who travel daily between the stations.
• A safe and direct cycle route will be created between Llandudno Junction and Betws y Coed via the Conwy Valley with an £18.6 million grant. The scheme will also include measures to mitigate against flooding.
• £17.8 million will restore the historic estate in the Vale of Neath and build new walkways and cycle paths.
• There is £17 million for building new walkways and cycle paths to bring people closer together in Holyhead and enable visitors and local people to explore the stunning sites of St Cybi’s Church and the Roman Fort.
• £18 million to transform the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, one of the most recognisable buildings in South Wales, which has deteriorated after years of piecemeal refurbishments.
• In Blaenau Gwent, a new engineering campus for 600 young people will be built using £9 million funding. It will offer the next generation of engineers an extensive programme of apprenticeships and industry placements in the area.
• £20 million will restore and regenerate three industry heritage sites in the Lower Swansea Valley. This includes the Morfa Copperworks and will create new shops, restaurants and market places, and a major upgrade to Swansea Museum.
• The £7.6 million Pontypool Cultural Hub project in Torfaen will transform derelict buildings into a thriving cultural centre with a new restaurant to boost the night-time economy.
• Building a state of the art leisure centre in Caerphilly with £20 million, including a new gym and swimming pool.
• In Gwynedd, £18.8 million will upgrade walking and cycling routes for the National Slate Museum and the Neuadd Ogwen arts centre.
• Denbighshire will receive £11 million to restore the historic monuments in Ruthin, including St Peter’s Church and the town square.

The major investment announced today follows the allocation of £1.7 billion to 105 projects from round one of the Levelling Up Fund in 2021– taking the total allocated so far from the fund to £3.8 billion.

The Government has also confirmed there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund, providing more opportunity to level up places across the UK.

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales on 17 January 2023.

A village shop in Denbighshire which campaigners are planning to develop into a community hub receives £200,000 from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund.

The press release issued by the Welsh Office on 31 December 2022.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies has congratulated this year’s recipients from Wales of New Year Honours.

The New Year Honours list recognises the accomplishments of extraordinary people from all backgrounds across the United Kingdom.

Recipients from Wales in the 2023 list include Wales captain Sophie Ingle (OBE) for her services to football, founder of retailer Net World Sports Alex Loven (MBE) for services to the economy and to the community in Wrexham and Professor Colin Riordan (CBE), President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University for services to higher education.

From the world of politics, there are Knighthoods for Rhondda MP Chris Bryant and Swansea-born New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, both for political and public service.

Numerous other people from across Wales have been honoured including Bill Carne from Haverfordwest (BEM for services to sport and charity in Pembrokeshire), June Lovell from Mold (BEM for services to the NHS), Nancy Thomas from Monmouth (BEM for services to the NHS) and Major Derek Monroe from Brecon who receives an MBE for services to the Army Cadets.

The Welsh Secretary thanked all those in Wales who have been honoured for their inspirational hard work and achievements.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

I am inspired by the invaluable work of the many people from across Wales who have deservedly been recognised on the New Year Honours List.

It is fantastic to see Welsh recipients from a wide range of backgrounds being recognised. I am thrilled that their commitment to their field – whether it is community work, sport, education or health – has been commended.

I would like to congratulate all recipients being honoured and thank them for their contribution.

The press release issued by the Welsh Office on 30 December 2022.

Levelling up communities has been a priority for the UK Government this year says Welsh Secretary David TC Davies in a New Year message.

UK Government levelling up investment is bringing significant benefits to Welsh communities with more to come in 2023, Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has said.

Funding for levelling up has now reached £1.6 billion in Wales, the equivalent of more than £520 for every person, with the total set to rise with millions of pounds of further investment in 2023.

In a New Year message, Mr Davies said 2022 had been difficult for many across the country with cost of living challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

But the Welsh Secretary said that the UK Government would continue to support millions of people across the UK with the cost of living while working to deliver jobs, prosperity and investment in Wales over the coming year.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

During 2022, the impact of the pandemic on our economy and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine which intentionally pushed up energy prices, have resulted in huge financial challenges and have meant that we needed to step in as a government – as we did during the pandemic – to support millions of households and businesses.

We are totally committed to helping people across Wales – we said we would protect the most vulnerable, and we have done that by announcing a package worth £26 billion in the next financial year, directly helping hundreds of thousands of households across Wales as we face the challenges ahead together.

But we will also continue our key mission to level up the UK. Wales has so far benefitted more, proportionally, than other areas of the UK from the new funds we have created and which have seen money allocated to projects ranging from improvements to road infrastructure in the Rhondda to money for Gwynedd locals to help buy their community pub.

Every part of the Wales is covered by a growth deal and 2022 saw many of the things the UK Government has invested in alongside the Welsh Government and others come to fruition.

The regeneration of Swansea city centre is a fantastic example of how the growth deals are delivering real results and I’m looking forward to seeing more transformative projects across the country this coming year. The Swansea Arena, part of the Swansea Bay City Deal, opened in March 2022 and has already attracted 175,000 visitors to the venue and created 100 jobs.

The new £585m Shared Prosperity Fund will also drive further investment in our communities. Altogether, UK Government levelling up funding has now reached £520 per head in Wales and with further rounds of these funds are due to be announced in 2023, communities across Wales will be transformed over the coming years.

The Welsh Secretary also looked back at significant events in Wales and the UK during 2022.

He said:

2022 was a sad and unforgettable year for our country as the UK came together to mourn the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who provided so many years of service.

The new King has a well-established and strong relationship with Wales as the longest-serving Prince of Wales and I know the links between the Royal Family and the people of Wales will grow still further with Price William succeeding him in that role.

It was fantastic to see the new King in Wales so early in his reign to confer city status on Wrexham and mark this important landmark for North Wales.

Mr Davies added:

We have much to be optimistic about and 2022 saw a huge amount delivered in Wales. Welsh lamb is now being exported to the USA after we secured the lifting of the 20-year-old ban on exports and Wales now has a dedicated Veteran’s Commissioner for the first time who is working to improve the lives and champion the interests of veterans in Wales.

Protecting and growing the Welsh language is hugely important and S4C received a 9% increase in UK Government funding and a further £7.5 million per annum to support its digital development into the future. This will enable S4C to continue to reach more Welsh language speakers, including younger audiences.

And, of course, 2022 was the year we saw Wales finally play at a football World Cup. It was a privilege to travel to Qatar to support the team and while I was there I met Qatari ministers and others to discuss subjects like energy infrastructure, renewed flights from Cardiff, increasing exports and other areas which are so important to the Welsh economy.

Looking ahead to 2023, we will announce a new Freeport in Wales in the New Year. The aim of the Freeport programme is to create jobs in new and exciting industries and I am very much looking forward to it getting up and running in Wales. I also hope to see progress on securing investment in nuclear power in Wales over the coming year.

I am certain that we have a bright year ahead in Wales and I look forward once again to travelling to every part of the country to see the UK Government investment in our communities and the delivery of our ambitious plans.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Wales on 5 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 29 November 2022.

Wales’ national vegetable and emblem, the Welsh Leek, is now officially protected as it gains PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) UK GI status.

It becomes the third new Welsh product to achieve the highly sought-after UK GI status, following on from Gower Salt Marsh Lamb and Cambrian Mountains Lamb.

Welsh Leeks also becomes the 19th member of the Welsh GI family of products, joining the likes of other great produce such as Anglesey Sea Salt, Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and Pembrokeshire Earlies. Each family member is Welsh to the core and uniquely linked to the landscapes and seascapes which nurture them.

The UK GI scheme was established at the beginning of 2021, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and ensures certain food and drink products can continue to receive legal protection against imitation and misuse.

From now on, Welsh Leeks sold with the UK GI logo will promote the heritage and culture of Wales and provide the product and consumers with certification of quality and uniqueness.

The application for Welsh Leeks PGI status was led by Pembrokeshire’s Puffin Produce, who already have Pembrokeshire Earlies PGI under their belt.

Huw Thomas, CEO, Puffin Produce, said:

The leek is an iconic emblem of Wales – we are incredibly proud to be able to grow Welsh Leeks and the GI status is hugely important to promote the quality and heritage behind this majestic crop.

Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said:

This is great news today and I congratulate all those involved in gaining this prestigious award for Welsh Leeks. Leeks are a historic symbol of Wales, known across the world, and I’m very pleased to see this product gain the recognition and prestige it deserves.

Welsh Leeks are grown and harvested in Wales and are a product of several hybrid varieties, rather than one specific variety.

The hybrid varieties used to produce ‘Welsh Leeks’ are those most suited to Welsh growing conditions. They produce a final product which has its own specific characteristics, such as the predominant long distinctive dark green flag which comprises over 40% of the overall length of the leek.

‘Welsh Leeks’ are normally planted from late February through to May and harvested from August through until April/May, with some crops remaining in the ground for up to 12 months. The leeks can be left in the ground without affecting their quality, leading to slower maturation providing more time for the peppery flavour and buttery aroma to fully develop.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Wales on 25 November 2022.

Applications have closed from bidders interested in setting up a new Freeport in Wales.

Backed by £26 million in UK Government funding, the Freeport Programme in Wales aims to create jobs, boost the local economy and regenerate surrounding areas.

Three bids have been received from ports around the country. They will be jointly assessed by officials from the UK and Welsh governments and it is expected that the successful site will be announced in early 2023 before becoming operational later in the year.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

It is fantastic to take the next step in delivering a Freeport for Wales. It will bring jobs and prosperity to its surrounding region and provide a huge boost to the Welsh economy.

The UK Government has long been committed to bringing a Freeport to Wales and is delivering on that pledge. The Freeports programme is already returning benefits for businesses and communities elsewhere in the UK and I look forward to seeing similar results for Wales.

Wales has already received more than £165m in levelling up funding from UK Government with more to follow in the coming months. This has gone towards projects such as transforming Haverfordwest Castle into an attraction ready for all seasons, a facelift for the Queen’s Ballroom in Tredegar and giving Llandrindod Wells a new lease of life in the form of affordable, energy efficient homes.

Freeports are special areas within the UK’s borders where different economic and customs regulations apply. Freeports are sites centred around one or a combination of air, rail, or seaport, within an encompassing outer boundary.

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State of Wales on 21 November 2022.

• Welsh Government to receive £1.2 billion in additional funding over two years.
• Up to £10m funding for the Advance Technology Research Centre – a defence-focussed Centre of Excellence Site in Wales.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has responded to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement which sets out an economic plan to restore stability, protect public services and build long-term prosperity.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

The difficult and necessary decisions taken today aim to tackle inflation and restore confidence and stability in the UK economy.

The UK Government has already committed to protecting Welsh households and businesses from rising energy prices, but balancing the books and getting debt falling is the best long-term solution to inflation and to limit interest rate rises.

As the Chancellor made clear, there is a tough road ahead but the economy remains strong with UK unemployment at historically low levels. Difficult choices are being made, but it is only through sound management of the public finances that we can provide the long-term economic stability that is so vital for families and businesses up and down Wales.

The Chancellor announced his Autumn Statement on Thursday (17 November) aiming to restore stability to the economy, protect high-quality public services and build long-term prosperity for the United Kingdom.

Jeremy Hunt outlined a targeted package of support for the most vulnerable, alongside measures to get debt and government borrowing down. The plan he set out is designed to fight against inflation in the face of unprecedented global pressures brought about by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

As a result of today’s tax and spending decisions, the Welsh Government will receive around an additional £1.2 billion over 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Delivering for the people of Wales, the Chancellor has announced the UK Government will provide up to £10 million of support for the Advanced Technology Research Centre (ATRC), subject to a business case, to deliver a defence-focused Centre of Excellence site in Wales collaboratively with the Welsh Government.

He also confirmed £1.6bn in funding for the UK’s 9 Catapult innovation centres, an increase of 35% compared to the last funding cycle, which includes the Compound Semiconductor Catapult in Wales.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

In the face of rising prices and soaring inflation, this Autumn Statement will help deliver economic stability and sustainable public services across the UK.

Difficult decisions have been made, but we are taking decisive action to support the people of Wales, including increasing pensions and benefits in line with inflation next year and providing the Welsh Government with £1.2 billion in additional funding over the next two years.

This money will protect the most vulnerable in our society and support households, businesses and public services through the challenging times ahead.