Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Private Sector Investment: Lancashire

17 June 2026 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Maya Ellis Lab Ribble Valley

EconomyTransportBusiness & TradeLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Maya Ellis raised concerns about private sector investment: lancashire in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Maya Ellis raised concerns about the lack of Government support and funding for businesses in Lancashire, despite its economic potential and dynamic project pipeline.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of Lancashire's economy and highlighted Government support for sectors like advanced manufacturing, defence, and energy.
  • The Minister noted investments in infrastructure, including 215 million of investment via the local transport grant to help councils deliver transport improvements.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Maya Ellis Lab Ribble Valley

Maya Ellis, the MP for Ribble Valley, raised concerns about the lack of Government support and funding for businesses in Lancashire. She highlighted that despite being a £40 billion GVA powerhouse and having a dynamic project pipeline with potential to attract over £20 billion in additional investment, Lancashire faces significant challenges such as low growth in investment spending since 1998, lacking mayoral arrangements, and missing out on collective £200 million per year available to new mayoral areas. She urged the Government to support key initiatives like Samlesbury enterprise zones, Fhunded project, RedCAT Catapult, and to fast-track towards a mayoral combined authority.

Other contributors (3)
  • Foster Con South Ribble

    Supported the idea of devolution for Lancashire.

  • Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire

    Highlighted the need for better connectivity and transport infrastructure in West Lancashire.

  • Jonathan Hinder Con Pendle and Clitheroe

    Suggested a second bridge around Preston to create a ring road, addressing traffic congestion issues.

Government Response

Chris McDonald

The Minister acknowledged the importance of Lancashire's economy and its industrial heritage. He highlighted Government support for sectors like advanced manufacturing, defence, and energy, mentioning specific projects such as the Typhoon deal at BAE Warton and Samlesbury, and nuclear power developments at Springfields and Heysham. The Minister also noted investments in infrastructure, including £215 million of investment via the local transport grant to help councils deliver transport improvements. He committed to working with Lancashire MPs to ensure continued growth and investment, underlining the Government's commitment to support private sector development through initiatives like the 'Lancashire Growth Plan'.

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