(Aberavon) (Lab):...Skilling and reskilling programmes have
frequently been funded through European structural funds in Wales
and other economically challenged parts of the United Kingdom. That
money will disappear in January, when the transition period ends,
leaving a huge black hole. The UK Government have promised that a
UK shared prosperity fundwill replace EU
development funding, but we still know next to nothing about the
SPF. How much money will be in the envelope? What development
programmes will it cover? What will be the focus of those
programmes? Who will be in charge of administering the scheme?
There is a tremendous risk that the UK Government will undertake
both a money grab and a power grab from the devolved nations with
regard to how that development funding is spent. We have even
recently heard suggestions that the UK Government plan to funnel
money directly into marginal or Conservative-held seats in what can
only be described as the worst sort of pork barrel politics.
It is frankly unacceptable that we are just two months away from
the day on which the shared prosperity fund is
supposed to be launched, yet we have no idea about its overall
size, focus or governance. That is yet another example of the UK
Conservative Government treating the regions and local areas of
our United Kingdom with contempt. As chair of the all-party
parliamentary group on post-Brexit funding for regions, nations
and local areas, I will be working closely with colleagues to
hold the Government to account and to ensure that they deliver on
their promises...
(Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab):...Finally, my hon.
Friend the Member for Aberavon ()
talked about the community action that sprang into place
throughout the pandemic, of which I am sure we have all seen
examples across Wales. Our communities have demonstrated a huge
amount of community spirit, and I pay tribute, as I am sure we
all do, to the key workers across Wales who have kept our economy
going. My hon. Friend raised the need for a steel support fund
and contrasted the UK Government’s approach with that of other
Governments around the world, who sprang into action a lot more
quickly to support their key industries. Of course, he also
raised the important issue of the shared prosperity fund
highlighting the fact that in 2018 we were due to have a
consultation on it, and two years later, with just two months to
go, clarity about the fund is missing. That is a shocking
indictment of the UK Government...
(Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op):...I pay tribute to my hon. Friend
the Member for Cardiff North () for being so feisty and causing such an interesting
exchange with the Minister. I also thank my hon. Friend the
Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (), who made a very pertinent point. In the early days
of this pandemic, when the Prime Minister was making
announcements, there was a serious concern about whether they
applied to Wales. I am glad that has been corrected, because it
is a really important issue that we had early on. I also pay
tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberavon (), who
raised concerns about the shared prosperity fund and
talked about how we go forward with it. I also pay tribute to my
constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr
Tydfil and Rhymney (), for the way he summed up...
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