Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Geographic Inequality of Opportunity

Wednesday 10 February 2021 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mark Menzies questioned the steps being taken to address geographic inequality of opportunity, highlighting a nearly 30% wage gap between London and the north-west.
  • The Minister responded that the Equalities Hub is examining barriers to opportunity beyond protected characteristics to tackle geographic inequality.
  • Mark Menzies also inquired about plans to support coastal communities like Lytham St Annes, which have been particularly affected by the pandemic.
  • The Minister stated that the coastal communities fund of 230 million is directing vital support to seaside towns, with a focus on the challenges faced by places such as St Annes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Menzies Con
Economy Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses the long-standing issue of geographic disparities in economic opportunities, highlighting the stark difference in average hourly wages between London and other regions such as the north-west.

Question

What steps she is taking to tackle geographic inequality of opportunity. The average hourly wage gap between London and the north-west has grown to nearly 30%, and this inequality affects access to jobs and economic prosperity for residents across different parts of the country.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We need to tackle the scourge of geographic inequality—average hourly wages are nearly 30% higher in London than they are in the north-west—and that is why I have asked the Equalities Hub to look beyond protected characteristics and identify additional barriers that people face up and down the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer mentions the wage gap but does not provide specific steps or a timeline for addressing geographic inequality of opportunity.

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Q2 Mark Menzies Con
Economy Women & Equalities Local Government
Context

Lytham St Annes, a coastal community in Lancashire, has been severely impacted by the pandemic due to its reliance on tourism and hospitality sectors which traditionally employ many women. The questioner highlights that this is a long-standing issue affecting coastal towns.

Question

Coastal communities such as Lytham St Annes are home to substantial tourism and hospitality sectors. Those sectors have traditionally employed large numbers of women, but they have been particularly hit by the pandemic. Given that inequality in coastal resorts is a long-recognised issue, what plans does my right hon. Friend have to ensure that coastal towns—in Lancashire, especially—can build back better?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We are directing vital support to seaside towns through the £230 million coastal communities fund. We recognise the unique challenges faced by towns such as St Annes, and that will be very much in our thoughts as we look to the £4 billion levelling-up fund and the UK shared prosperity fund. I am pleased to say that we will be publishing prospectives for those shortly, and no doubt my hon. Friend will be interested in applying.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provides information on funds but does not commit to specific plans or actions tailored to coastal towns' recovery.

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