Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Towns

Monday 25 October 2021 · 6 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is investing billions in regeneration across the UK through the towns fund and levelling-up fund.
  • The Minister supports providing young people with skills to level up, though cannot comment on a specific funding bid.
  • The Minister offers to visit Huddersfield to learn more about sustainability and levelling-up initiatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robert Halfon Con
Economy Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

MP asked about the steps his Department is taking to support towns.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Department to support towns?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Department is investing billions in regeneration across the whole UK as part of the Government's central priority to level up and unite our country. Programmes such as the £3.6 billion towns fund and the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund will help achieve that by supporting the renewal of our towns and cities, including in my right hon. Friend's constituency of Harlow, which has been awarded a £23.7 million town deal.

Answered
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Q2 Robert Halfon Con
Education Employment
Context

MP reported on apprenticeship growth in Harlow since 2010 and asked for support for a £20 million bid to the levelling-up fund.

Question

I am pleased to report that almost 8,000 new apprentices have been taken on in Harlow since 2010. Does my hon. Friend agree that the best example of levelling up is providing young people with the skills they need to climb the educational ladder? To this purpose, will she support our bid for £20 million from the levelling-up fund?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

As a fellow Essex MP, I am delighted that so many apprentices have taken their step towards a career in my right hon. Friend's constituency. It is fair to say we both agree that equipping the next generation with the skills to compete and succeed is integral to levelling up. However, I cannot comment on individual bids to our levelling-up fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support for a £20 million bid from the levelling-up fund was not committed to directly

How: I Cannot Comment On Individual Bids

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Economy Local Government
Context

MP asked if the ministerial team would visit Huddersfield to learn about its commitment to being a sustainable town.

Question

If the ministerial team are serious about levelling up, they must look at towns and their sustainability. Will she bring her team to visit Huddersfield?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I think the hon. Gentleman and I are in agreement about the importance of sustainability. I would be delighted to find out more about what is happening in Huddersfield. I will have my officials check my diary to see when time will be available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific visit date or commitment was not provided

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Q4 Philip Davies Con
Local Government
Context

MP enquired about the criteria for future levelling-up fund bids and sought confirmation on a bid from Bingley.

Question

Shipley was delighted to receive £25 million from the towns fund. Will you confirm that the criteria for the next round of bidding will be the same, and will you look favourably upon a bid from Bingley?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

At the moment, we are reviewing the first tranche of the levelling-up fund so the criteria for the second and future tranches will be decided in due course. We have heard his plea. We shall look at all pleas from people who would like to see more from the levelling-up fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation on criteria and direct support for a Bingley bid was not given

How: We Are Reviewing The First Tranche

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Q5 Conor McGinn Lab
Economy Local Government
Context

MP welcomed plans to transform St Helens' town centres and asked for a guarantee on funding based on need.

Question

I am sure that the Minister will join me in welcoming bold and ambitious plans to transform our town centres. The missing part of the jigsaw are the Government. Will she guarantee that the levelling-up fund will be based on need?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I think that goes without saying. We recognise many places would like to see additional funds from the levelling-up fund, but we will evaluate the strength of the bid from the hon. Member's constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Direct guarantee on funding based solely on need was not provided

How: It Goes Without Saying

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Q6 Jonathan Gullis
Economy Local Government
Context

MP highlighted issues in Burslem and Tunstall due to past decisions and asked about a £3.5 million bid for Tunstall.

Question

The city of Stoke-on-Trent was born out of the five towns but unfortunately, Burslem and Tunstall have suffered from vanity projects built under former Labour administrations. Does my hon. Friend agree that the £3.5 million levelling-up fund bid for Tunstall will help regenerate our high street?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Yes, [Interruption.]

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement on the merits of the £3.5 million bid was not provided due to interruption

How: Interruption

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