Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regeneration in Towns and Cities

Monday 25 October 2021 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is investing billions in local growth funds including the towns fund and the levelling-up fund to deliver regeneration across the UK.
  • Parking policies are important in supporting high streets to thrive, which is why the Government announced a package of measures to make parking more accessible.
  • The Government are investing over 17 million in Norfolk's towns, with ambitious town deals already delivered in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

No specific incident or event is mentioned, but the MP asked about general support for regeneration initiatives.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support regeneration in towns and cities.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Department is investing billions in local growth funds—including the towns fund and the levelling-up fund—to deliver regeneration across the UK. Our high streets strategy outlines our vision for supporting thriving places, and we have an ambitious agenda for improving opportunity, living standards, and public services.

Answered
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Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Economy Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The MP wants support for levelling-up bids to be included in the upcoming Budget.

Question

I thank the Minister for that response. Will my hon. Friend have a chat with the Chancellor and the Secretary of State about supporting our levelling-up bids through this week's Budget?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I recognise that hon. Members from Stoke-on-Trent are very keen, but I cannot comment specifically on his bid as it is being assessed according to the published assessment process. Outcomes will be announced this autumn.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to discuss levelling-up bids with the Chancellor and Secretary of State was not provided

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Q3 Holly Mumby-Croft
Housing Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted Conservative-run North Lincolnshire Council's policy of two hours' free parking as a way to support high streets.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that initiatives such as Conservative-run North Lincolnshire Council's policy of two hours' free parking are incredibly important for supporting our high streets and town centres?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I agree with my hon. Friend that parking policies are important in supporting high streets to thrive, which is why we announced a package of measures to make parking more accessible as part of our build back better high streets strategy.

Answered
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Q4 Darren Henry
Community Security Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the commitment of levelling-up funds for a three-year time span and whether they will be available if not spent on time.

Question

Kimberley has some fantastic ideas, such as moving its cricket pitch and building a new community hub. However, there is concern among local community leaders that if the money is committed for a three-year time span but is not spent on time, it will no longer be available for use on the new hub. Can I have a commitment from the Minister that that is not the case?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We are looking to empower local communities such as Kimberley, but I must stress that any project wishing to gain Government funding must have a fully developed plan before bidding. Places should have confidence in their capacity to deliver to agreed timescales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment regarding the availability of levelling-up funds beyond initial timelines was not provided

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Q5 Cherilyn Mackrory
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

The MP wants confirmation that the next tranche of the levelling-up fund will be forthcoming.

Question

Falmouth has huge potential. It is the third-deepest natural harbour in the world and is the gateway to the Atlantic. However, it is crying out for investment. Will the Minister confirm that the next tranche will be forthcoming?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

First of all, I congratulate my hon. Friend on the Truro town deal in her constituency and welcome her continued work as a champion of the area. £88.7 million of towns fund investment is driving regeneration and growth in Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro, with real economic benefits for Falmouth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation regarding the next tranche of levelling-up funding was not provided

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Q6 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Economy Local Government
Context

The MP inquires about the plans to support towns in Broadland.

Question

Levelling up has sometimes been mis-described as a transfer of resources from the south to the north. What plans does the Minister have to support towns in Broadland, including Fakenham, Acle and Aylsham?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Levelling up is about empowering local leaders and communities to drive real change. The Government are investing over £17 million in Norfolk's towns, with ambitious town deals already delivered in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn.

Answered
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Q7 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP expresses concern over the cut to universal credit and its impact on retail in Staveley.

Question

Will the Minister stress to her colleagues that the cut to universal credit will fatally undermine retail in Staveley, and that these plans would benefit from universal credit not being cut?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government are doing everything they can to support communities such as his. We are putting other resources in place to support those people in his community who need them the most.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressing concerns over cuts to universal credit was not directly addressed

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Q8 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Climate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP asks about urgent action the Department will take to ensure that local authorities have a proper grip on flood defences.

Question

With Question 16 in mind, which we may not fit in today, may I ask what urgent action the Department will take, with COP26 around the corner, to ensure that local authorities have a proper grip on flood defences and the environmental issues that councils face day by day?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I apologise to the hon. Lady, but I am not sure what sort of answer she is expecting given her reference to COP26. She can get a letter providing further information.

How: Providing A Letter Instead Of Direct Response

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Q9 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Local Government
Context

The question is prompted by significant budget cuts and ongoing financial pressures on local councils. There has been a £15 billion reduction in funding, and the Local Government Association reports that there are now £2.6 billion in non-COVID cost pressures on councils.

Question

Even if we add up all the piecemeal pots of regeneration funding that the Government like to mention in their press releases, they still come to nowhere near the £15 billion that has been cut from local councils under the Tories. The Government have failed to deliver on promises to reimburse covid costs, and the Tory-led Local Government Association says that there is now £2.6 billion in non-covid cost pressures on councils. On Wednesday, the Chancellor has the chance to tackle the council funding crisis that the Government have created, so what demands have Ministers in this team made to get the Budget settlement that all our towns and cities need?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I cannot comment specifically on what will be announced in the Budget this Wednesday, but I will tell the hon. Gentleman what, for instance, we did in the most recent local government finance settlement. In this year's settlement, we made available an increase in core spending power in England; it will go from £49 billion this year to £51.3 billion in 2021-22—a 4.6% increase in cash terms. We see ourselves as a supporter of local government across the country; we very much speak up for it in our discussions with the Treasury, and I am sure that will become apparent on Wednesday.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific demands made by Ministers to ensure a proper budget settlement were not addressed.

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