Levelling-up Funding Economically Deprived Communities 2024-01-22
2024-01-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Deprivation in Easington is exacerbated by bad policy decisions such as the bedroom tax, which halted a multimillion-pound housing renovation scheme.
If he will target levelling-up funding at the most economically deprived communities. Deprivation is made worse by bad policy decisions like the bedroom tax, which brought an end to a multi-million pound housing renovation scheme in Horden, my constituency, ranked in the bottom 10% for UK deprivation.
We selected bids based on strict criteria and methodology outlined on gov.uk. I am sorry that my constituency did not benefit, but we funded a project in County Durham in round 1 of the levelling-up fund, and I am happy to work with him to see what more we could do.
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Assessment & feedback
Explanation for rejection of specific bid was avoided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The household support fund has provided essential assistance to councils across the UK.
Will the Minister confirm whether the household support fund will be extended beyond this financial year?
I cannot make spending commitments today, but I can say that my hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his constituents and I am happy to ensure that the relevant Minister meets him to discuss the matter further.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment on extension of household support fund was given
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State is the deputy chair of the Tata Steel transition board, which has made a significant announcement affecting Port Talbot.
Will he acknowledge just how devastating Tata Steel's announcement was for Port Talbot and work with Business and Trade Ministers to look again at the longer, fairer transition that protects sovereign steelmaking capabilities and communities?
The hon. Lady knows how important steel is to me; my constituency was deeply affected when SSI closed in 2015. We have provided £100 million of support, but I am happy to ensure that the relevant Minister meets her to discuss further support.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment on looking again at transition was given
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The levelling-up partnership scheme includes Stoke-on-Trent.
Does the Minister agree that it is vital that every part of Stoke-on-Trent gets support so that all communities, including those in my constituency and particularly Longton, can benefit?
The levelling-up partnership will be transformational for Stoke-on-Trent, building on the investment we have made there. I met my hon. Friend last week to discuss his priorities and hope to make further announcements about Longton in coming months.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment on reaching every area was given
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Data shows that towns and cities across the UK have been levelled down, with people over £10,000 a year worse off.
Does he accept that after 14 years of Conservative Government, the British people are worse off than they were then?
I absolutely do not accept that. We have had a financial crash and covid-19, but we have invested over £4.8 billion of levelling-up funding directly into communities across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
No acknowledgment of worsening situation was given
Financial Crash
Covid-19
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister dismisses evidence of people being worse off.
Will the country suffer another final year of failure, or will they now listen to proposals for reforming planning, reinstating housing targets, and getting Britain building again?
The Labour party has bankrupted Birmingham, and it would bankrupt Britain. We have rolled out gigabit broadband, introduced educational investment in areas, opened new freeports, increased the national living wage, recruited more police officers, funded regeneration and community ownership, and devolved power to local Mayors.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to listening was given
Bankrupt Birmingham
Would Bankrupt Britain
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The EU has provided greater funding support to economically deprived communities in Scotland compared to the UK Government.
Why should Scots be happy with the tiny sliver of Westminster levelling-up funding, when Westminster denied Scotland a share of the far greater opportunity of EU development funding?
I completely reject her assertion. We have invested £212 million in Scotland through the UK shared prosperity fund, £465 million through the levelling-up fund, and £18.3 million through the community renewal fund.
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Assessment & feedback
No acknowledgment of denial of EU funding opportunity was given
Completely Reject Assertion
Response accuracy