Regional Inequality 2022-11-21
2022-11-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows concerns over the economic impact of recent increases in interest rates and inflation.
What recent assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of increases in (a) interest rates and (b) inflation on regional inequality?
It is because we are concerned about the impact of inflation and increases in interest rates that this autumn statement protected the most vulnerable by uprating benefits and pensions with inflation, strengthening the energy price guarantee, and providing cost of living payments.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific assessment on regional inequality impacts from increased interest rates or inflation
Changed Subject To Football Scores
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns arise over a net loss of £206 million for the north-west under the shared prosperity fund, which has not been inflation-proofed.
After promising to match EU structural funds and then taking £1 billion annually out of them, how can the Secretary of State claim to be levelling up when his Government have presided over a net loss in funding across the country?
It is not just the UK shared prosperity fund, but the levelling-up fund that has seen money go to not just Liverpool city region, but all those areas we are targeting that have been overlooked and undervalued in the past. Specifically, the UK shared prosperity fund has provided £52 million for the Liverpool city region.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the net loss of funding or match EU structural funds promise specifically
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Request to address areas of deprivation in Lichfield despite its general perception as an area with high property prices.
In areas such as Lichfield, which have very high property prices, people who hold mortgages will also be affected by high interest rates. For that reason, may I urge my right hon. Friend to look at our levelling-up bid because it is desperately needed for Lichfield's people—not those in expensive houses, but those who are in more difficult positions?
Lichfield is the jewel of Staffordshire, but even the most glittering jewels sometimes have flaws and, as a rough diamond himself, I know that my hon. Friend will appreciate that. I recognise that there is a need to help all those parts of the United Kingdom and the west midlands where, even though there may be prosperity, there is inequality that needs to be addressed.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to considering or rejecting a levelling-up bid specifically for Lichfield's areas of deprivation
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Criticism over the delay in allocating levelling-up funds, with some areas performing poorly compared to others.
Only a third of the levelling-up funds has been allocated, and after wasting our time with the short-lived investment zones, the second round is months behind schedule. Can we bring some sense to this madness, end the “Hunger Games”-style competition, and allow all our communities—not just his favourites—to decide how their own money is spent?
If it is “The Hunger Games” we are talking about, it is the Labour party leadership contest that is closer to that than any other contest in this House. On the substantive point that she makes, it is important that we look at how we fund local government overall.
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Assessment & feedback
Completely avoided addressing the inefficiencies or allocation issues of levelling-up funds
Changed Subject To Labour Party Leadership Contest
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Criticism over perceived lack of support for regional economies in the autumn statement, with concerns raised about funding cuts.
We have almost as many funding pots in the Secretary of State's Department as we have had Ministers in the past 12 months. Can he not see the problem? We both know that the only way out of this crisis is to get local and regional economies growing, so how can it be that the key Department responsible for that was the biggest loser in last week's autumn statement?
The autumn statement was at a time of challenging news for the global economy. It was absolutely the right response and, again, not only did we secure a significant, record increase in funding for local government at the previous spending review, but we secured billions additionally for adult social care and for children's services.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address why the department responsible for levelling-up was a budget loser in the autumn statement
Response accuracy