Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strength of the Union

Thursday 11 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

  • Government committed to protecting and promoting the Union
  • Work across the UK on common challenges like vaccine rollout
  • Cumbria free port proposal seen as key to economic recovery

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
NHS Economy
Context

The question arises from a broader discussion about steps to strengthen the Union, focusing on collaborative efforts such as the roll-out of the covid-19 vaccination programme and economic support.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to strengthen the Union. The MP notes the importance of protecting and promoting the combined strengths of our Union, highlighting common challenges like the vaccine rollout and issues such as job protection and NHS support.

Answer from Michael Gove

The Government are committed to protecting and promoting the combined strengths of our Union, building on 300 years of successful partnership. It is vital that we continue to work across the United Kingdom on common challenges such as the roll-out of the covid-19 vaccination programme. We also need together to focus on issues such as protecting jobs and supporting our NHS.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or actions taken by the government to strengthen the Union, focusing instead on general commitments and principles.

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Q2 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by the Government's plans to establish 10 free ports across the United Kingdom, aimed at securing jobs and regenerating communities. The MP highlights a specific multi-centre proposal in Cumbria involving Carlisle airport, Barrow, and Workington.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the exciting Cumbria free port multi-centre proposal would help to propel our region's economic recovery and play a key role in the Government's levelling-up agenda by attracting investment and jobs? The MP notes his awareness of Union importance in border regions, welcoming government plans for free ports.

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Carlisle, Barrow and Workington working together can ensure not just that Cumbria and the north-west of England benefits, but that the borders region as a whole benefits. The support that this Government have given to the borderlands growth deal is an example of the way in which the interrelations between Carlisle, Dumfries, Hawick and other significant parts of this United Kingdom mean that we are stronger together.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on how the Cumbria free port proposal aligns with or contributes to economic recovery or the Government's levelling-up agenda, focusing instead on general support and interrelation benefits.

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