Regional Growth England 2025-03-04
2025-03-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor's statement about a lack of new runways since 1945 was inaccurate, as Manchester Airport's new runway has been operating for nearly 25 years. This highlights potential ignorance or bias in Treasury officials' understanding of regional growth.
Manchester airport would be very surprised to hear that its new runway has been operating for nearly 25 years. I think many officials in the Treasury show a startling ignorance of the English regions, and this leads to prejudice in calculating scheme viability. Will he provide coaches to send Treasury officials around the English regions to talk to people who know about growth? Secondly, will he look at the formulas that decide where economic growth happens, which are biased against the regions?
Treasury officials routinely engage with local and regional officials across the country, including frequently in Manchester. Support has been provided for the Old Trafford development in Manchester. The Government’s policy will benefit establishments like Shed One gin, Wolftown and Kin vodka in Cumbria.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific request to send Treasury officials on regional tours was not directly addressed.
Acknowledges Existing Engagement
Redirects To Specific Projects
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The autumn Budget announced support measures for small businesses, including the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. The question seeks confirmation of specific measures for craft brewing and distillery in Cumbria.
At the autumn Budget, a range of support measures for small businesses were announced, including vital support for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Will the Minister confirm the measures being taken to support the independent and important craft brewing and distillery sector in Cumbria?
Permanent decisions were made to give businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors certainty that their discounts will apply to business rates relief. These measures will benefit establishments like Shed One gin, Wolftown and Kin vodka in Cumbria.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Golden Valley development in Cheltenham will support GCHQ and national security. The question seeks additional funding for the project.
The Golden Valley development in Cheltenham will bring significant growth to the west and back our national security by supporting GCHQ. Now that an extra 0.1% of defence spending has been approved, will the Minister work with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Cabinet Office to agree more funding for this nationally significant development?
Increased spending on defence will have a positive impact for businesses such as those supporting GCHQ. Further details of that spending will be set out in the spending review.
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Assessment & feedback
Request for additional funding from multiple departments not directly addressed.
Acknowledges Importance
Redirects To Upcoming Spending Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The A483 road between Llanymynech and Oswestry is dangerous with frequent crashes and hold-ups, hindering local growth. The question seeks improvements or a bypass for this road.
The Marches region is held back by the A483 road running between Llanymynech and Oswestry. There are frequent crashes and hold-ups on it, which hinders local growth and endangers lives in the area. Will the Minister work with his colleagues in the Department for Transport to ensure that if a bypass cannot be built, vital improvements can at least be made on this road?
I commit to working with DFT colleagues on projects such as improving the A483. We will give stability to the UK economy so that we can get on and deliver projects like this one.
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Assessment & feedback
Request for road improvements or bypass not directly addressed.
Acknowledges Importance
Redirects To Spending Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The Chancellor has lauded the National Wealth Fund as a key part of regional growth ambitions. The question seeks confirmation on its independence and recent announcements.
The Prime Minister announced at a Labour party political conference that £200 million from the National Wealth Fund would be allocated for Grangemouth, but it is supposed to be operationally independent. Will the Minister confirm that this remains the case? Will he also confirm that the CEO's unexpected resignation just days before the announcement is not connected?
Each business case for Grangemouth will go through the normal process for sign off. John Flint leaving the National Wealth Fund is not connected to decisions taken by this Government.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy