Question

Asked by Steve Witherden to Wales on 04 November 2026 — tabled under the Andy Burnham government

11. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Wales.

Answer

The UK Government are committed to driving economic growth in Wales. We are investing £2.6 billion to bring nuclear power back to Wylfa, £500 million to secure the future of Welsh steel, and £50 million to support defence jobs across Wales.

25% vibes

Verdict: AMBER (73/100)

The reply gives specific, Wales-focused examples of activity supporting economic growth, including £2.6bn for Wylfa nuclear, £500m for Welsh steel, and £50m for defence jobs across Wales. It is direct and concrete on what the government is doing. It does not explicitly explain the Secretary of State's own role or joint work with Cabinet colleagues, so the answer is strong but not complete.

Verdict: AMBER (66/100)

The reply gives concrete, direct examples of what the government is doing to support growth in Wales, including £2.6 billion for nuclear at Wylfa, £500 million for Welsh steel, and £50 million for defence jobs. It does not, however, explicitly describe the Secretary of State's own role or the Cabinet coordination that the question also asked about. A member of the public would learn what programmes exist but may need to ask separately who is leading and coordinating them.

How we got there

Question item	Coverage	Specificity	Rationale
What the Secretary of State is doing, working with Cabinet colleagues, to support economic growth in Wales.	Addressed	Direct	The reply names concrete, Wales-specific programme activity that supports economic growth (£2.6bn for Wylfa nuclear, £500m for Welsh steel, £50m for defence jobs across Wales), which is the kind of general description of activity the item asks for. It does not explicitly describe the Secretary of State's own role or joint work with Cabinet colleagues, so the answer is not complete on that framing.
What the Secretary of State is doing, in coordination with Cabinet colleagues, to support economic growth in Wales.	Addressed	Direct	The reply names concrete growth-supporting programmes in Wales (£2.6 billion for nuclear at Wylfa, £500 million for Welsh steel, £50 million for defence jobs), which answers what the government is doing to support growth, though it never explicitly describes the Secretary of State's own role or the Cabinet coordination the item names.