Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth and Productivity: UK Nations and Regions

Tuesday 20 October 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to levelling up opportunity for economic growth and productivity across the UK
  • Department plans to allocate 2 billion for a new kickstart scheme to create jobs for young people
  • Government to designate free ports across the UK to unlock economic potential through a transparent process

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Clarke Con
Economy
Context

The question arises from the need to ensure long-term equity in economic growth and productivity across all regions of the UK, particularly after the impact of COVID-19.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to ensure long-term equity of (a) economic growth and (b) productivity throughout the nations and regions of the UK. The Government are committed to levelling up opportunity so that all people and places across the UK benefit from economic growth, but specific measures are needed.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

From £2 billion new kickstart scheme to create new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds to £1 billion for local projects to boost local recovery, the Department will protect jobs, support economic growth and boost productivity across all nations and regions of the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or mechanism for ensuring long-term equity in economic growth and productivity was provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Simon Clarke Con
Economy Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Free ports are seen as one of the best tools to level up economic opportunity across the UK after leaving the European Union. A strong bid has been made by Teesport and PD Ports, with support from Ben Houchen.

Question

One of the best tools to level up economic opportunity across the UK after we leave the EU will be free ports. Does she recognise the strong case for designating Teesport, and will she praise the work of PD Ports and my friend the Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend that free ports will benefit communities across the UK by unleashing economic potential, confirming our intent to deliver free ports by 2021 through an open and transparent bidding process.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)