Levelling Up Across the UK 2022-05-17

2022-05-17

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
MP asked about steps being taken for levelling up.
What steps his Department is taking to encourage levelling up across the UK?
The levelling-up White Paper sets out a clear plan to level up every corner of the United Kingdom, including a mission to increase productivity and improve living standards in every part of the UK by 2030. We will do this through the record funding allocated in the 2021 spending review, including £1.6 billion for the next generation of the British Business Bank's regional investment funds. That sits alongside significant investment in communities through the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund, and giving local areas a greater say in investment, working in partnership with the Government through the £2.6 billion UK shared prosperity fund.
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Q2 Direct Answer
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MP asked about levelling up for left-behind communities, including north Kensington.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that levelling up is about bringing forward all our left-behind communities, whether inner cities, coastal communities or the north, and will he support my levelling-up fund bid for step-free access to Ladbroke Grove tube station?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question; she is an outstanding champion for Kensington and, as she rightly says, it is not the case that the levelling-up fund does not have real importance for London and the south-east because there are pockets of deprivation across this country and it is vital that we address them. Over £200 million was allocated in the first round of the levelling-up fund for London and the south-east, and clearly my hon. Friend's council may wish to consider making a bid for the fund's next iteration when that opens.
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Q3 Partial Answer
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MP asked about devolution deals for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Will my right hon. Friend give me an assurance that these will not be second-class deals and the east midlands deals will have the same finance and clout as previous deals?
I really enjoyed my recent visit to Nottinghamshire to meet my hon. Friend and his colleagues. We are clear that devolution sits at the heart of our levelling-up mission and we have said that every part of England that wants a devolution deal can have one by 2030. We want those deals to have a sensible geography, and the strongest and most accountable leadership possible, and I am really encouraged that leaders in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire—including, of course, my hon. Friend—have brought together a really exciting package of proposals.
Assessment & feedback
specific finance and clout not addressed
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Q4 Partial Answer
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MP asked about economic outperformance of the west midlands compared to the east midlands.
To what extent does my right hon. Friend believe that is due to the west midlands benefiting from its mayoralty structure? What help can the Treasury give to the east midlands?
I pay great tribute to the work that Andy Street has done as Mayor of the West Midlands to drive economic outperformance. I am a convinced believer in the merits of mayoral devolution, which is the best way of ensuring that levelling up is delivered at the fastest possible pace on the ground. I look forward to looking at proposals from the east midlands to ensure that we can unlock as much opportunity there as possible.
Assessment & feedback
specific help not addressed
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Q5 Direct Answer
Context
MP asked about attracting innovation-based businesses, particularly in life sciences.
Will my right hon. Friend outline how his Department is working to attract more innovation-based businesses, particularly in life sciences, to the area?
I share my hon. Friend's passion for the UK's world-leading life sciences sector. That is why we have invested £5 billion in health research and development, including for delivery of our life sciences vision, as well as £60 million for the life sciences innovative manufacturing fund and £200 million in the life sciences investment programme, all of which institutions in Hertfordshire can benefit from.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Gareth Thomas Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Context
MP asked about cuts to funding for promoting exports from the North East England chamber of commerce.
With export growth in the UK lagging behind that of every other rich nation, why did he and his colleagues sign off cuts in funding to the North East England chamber of commerce to promote exports from that region?
I agree that a flourishing export sector is vital. That is, of course, why we are so pleased to be delivering innovative policies in the north-east such as a freeport on Teesside, which is a great example of how we will bolster the export strengths that exist for our current and future employers. We clearly want to work closely with all partners, including the chambers of commerce, who do an excellent job.
Assessment & feedback
specific reasons for funding cuts not addressed
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Q7 Partial Answer
Catherine McKinnell Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Context
The average monthly earnings in Newcastle upon Tyne North have fallen behind those of London since the Prime Minister took office. The questioner criticises the government's approach to addressing this disparity.
Since the Prime Minister took office, average monthly earnings in every single north-east constituency have fallen even further behind those in London. Telling families to learn how to cook and work more hours while forcing local authorities to bid competitively for small pots of money will not rebalance our economy. We need a much greater focus on creating and boosting jobs in areas that really need them.
We have created a West Midlands mayoralty which is channelling huge amounts of public money into supporting growth and opportunity. We have a programme of action, including the levelling-up fund and commitments around jobs and growth, designed to make a massive difference in regions like Bradford East.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids addressing specific issues related to economic disparity in Newcastle upon Tyne North by focusing on other areas.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Imran Hussain Lab
Bradford East
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According to an independent analysis, Bradford East is behind on almost every single one of the Government's metrics for measuring progress in levelling up. This includes lower pay, productivity, government spending, transport investment, school grades and life expectancy.
Bradford East is behind on most of the Government's 12 metrics for measuring progress in levelling up. Lower pay, productivity, government spending, transport investment, school grades and life expectancy are all issues. I am perplexed by how the Minister can stand there and tell us that he is serious about levelling up when the Government refuse to do anything to level up places such as Bradford East.
We have a programme of action from the levelling-up fund and wider commitments around jobs and growth which will make a massive difference in regions such as Bradford. We created a West Yorkshire mayoralty to drive forward growth and opportunity in that region.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids directly addressing the specific issues of lagging behind on metrics by focusing on general actions taken for levelling up.
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Q9 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The UK Government's website states that levelling up is a moral, social and economic programme. However, the questioner raises issues regarding people not being able to feed their kids or heat their homes due to financial constraints.
Levelling up is described as a moral, social and economic programme by the UK Government's own website. Where is the moral argument in people not being able to feed their kids? Where is the social argument in people not being able to heat their homes? And where on earth is the economic argument in people having no money in their pockets?
Levelling up is a social and moral mission. We believe it's vital to close the gap between successful parts of the UK and the rest. On the cost of living, we have put together a £22 billion package of support, including £9 billion specifically on energy bills. The Chancellor will keep all these issues under review.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids directly addressing how levelling up addresses affordability and poverty by focusing on the cost-of-living package.
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Q10 Partial Answer
Pat McFadden Lab
Wolverhampton South East
Context
A Bloomberg report showed that most parts of the country are either falling further behind London and the south-east or have made no progress on 12 measures of levelling up since the Prime Minister took office. This includes salaries, home affordability, inward investment, transport spending, and levels of crime.
The Bloomberg report shows that most parts of the country are either falling further behind London and the south-east or have made no progress on 12 measures of levelling up since the Prime Minister took office. Why is levelling up failing to deliver?
Levelling up is a decades-long project for reversing geographical inequalities. The levelling-up White Paper puts in place a framework for working directly with people and places to address disparities. We will be held accountable with an annual report monitoring our progress.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids addressing the specific failures outlined in the Bloomberg report by focusing on long-term projects and frameworks.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Pat McFadden Lab
Wolverhampton South East
Context
With the Bank of England Governor warning of apocalyptic rises in food prices and a likely steep rise in energy bills, the questioner asks about reversing failures outlined in a damning report last week.
The Conservatives have been in office for 12 years; they were not elected last week. This is the self-declared central mission of the Government. Tackling regional inequality is a good aim. Communities like the one I represent can make the next industrial revolution if given a platform, but with warnings of rises in food prices and energy bills, what will the Government do to reverse failures outlined in the damning report?
The levelling-up White Paper is a comprehensive package of measures designed to ensure we can deliver on our aims. The Queen's Speech demonstrates our commitment, including through the establishment in law of the UK infrastructure bank. We have a plan which I am confident will deliver meaningful change.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids addressing specific actions related to reversing failures outlined in the report by focusing on general commitments and plans.
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