Regional Inequalities Coastal Communities 2023-10-16
2023-10-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from discussions on the challenges faced by coastal communities, including regional inequality and opportunities.
What recent discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting coastal communities?
We have established 12 levelling-up missions principally aimed at tackling regional inequality and ensuring that, wherever someone lives—in cities, towns, island, rural or coastal communities—their opportunities are the same. Progress on the missions will be formally reported through an annual report as set out in our landmark Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which returns to the House of Commons tomorrow.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about recent Cabinet discussions was not addressed; instead, a general statement on levelling-up missions was provided.
General Statement
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a disparity between electric vehicle charge point availability in London and other major cities in the north.
The Secretary of State says that we must have infrastructure that allows us to move towards zero-emission vehicles as quickly as possible, but the biggest 14 cities in the north of England have fewer electric vehicle charge points than the City of Westminster alone. How does this disparity demonstrate levelling up?
The hon. Gentleman will know of the £20 billion reserved for transport investment in the north, and I am sure that some of that can be dedicated towards electric vehicles.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address how the charge point disparity demonstrates levelling up; instead provided information on northern transport investment.
General Statement
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A conservative think-tank reported that coastal communities face lower life expectancy, inadequate transport links and are comparatively poorer.
After repeated rejections for towns and levelling-up moneys, are my constituents not right to blame the Government of the last 13 years for this deliberate levelling down?
The hon. Lady, like me, represents a north-east coastal community, and she will be aware of our devolution agreement with the North East Combined Authority, which hopes to address some of the challenges in her area.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly answer whether constituents can blame the government; instead referenced a devolution agreement.
Reference To Other Initiative
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Essex MPs met the previous Minister to discuss a combined authority that they were overwhelmingly against.
Will he and his boss meet me and other Essex MPs to hear our objections?
I am happy to meet my right hon. Friend.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister recently announced on High Speed 2.
When will local government leaders and Metro Mayors in the midlands and north of England get to know what additional resource they will get as a consequence?
That question is best answered by the Department for Transport, but I will write to the hon. Gentleman when I have further details.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct answer; suggested consulting another department.
Refer To Other Department
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister met the leaders of Lancashire County Council to discuss devolving transport and skills responsibility.
Will he and the whole of the Treasury Bench look favourably upon this?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question and to you, Mr Speaker, for your point. I hope to meet Lancashire MPs next week to discuss devolution. I hope that we are able to announce a devolution deal in advance of Lancashire Day at the end of November.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
There is a disparity between the rhetoric of levelling up and actual progress.
Is the truth of the matter not that Downing Street has totally lost interest in that agenda, while the Department's leadership bumbles on directionless and toothless, its bold promises unfulfilled and, in many cases, utterly disregarded?
I thank the hon. Lady for her kind words and her question, though I completely disagree with her. At the party conference we announced £1 billion for our long-term plan for towns, which will help us level up towns right across the country. I hope she welcomes that.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy