Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Growth Deals

Wednesday 2 February 2022 · 4 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

  • The Moray full deal and the Falkirk heads of terms were signed in December.
  • We now have nine deals in implementation and three in negotiation covering all of Scotland.
  • The Government have committed over 1.5 billion for the deal programme in Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP is concerned about the progress of growth deals being implemented in Scotland.

Question

What progress his Department has made on implementing growth deals in Scotland. The Moray full deal and the Falkirk heads of terms were signed in December. We now have nine deals in implementation and three in negotiation covering all of Scotland. The Government have committed over £1.5 billion for the deal programme in Scotland.

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Moray full deal and the Falkirk heads of terms were signed in December. We now have nine deals in implementation and three in negotiation covering all of Scotland. The Government have committed over £1.5 billion for the deal programme in Scotland.

Answered
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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Transport Scotland
Context

The MP is aware of the Scottish Government's strategic transport review and their lukewarm support for extending the Borders railway. He seeks clarity on when the feasibility study will be started.

Question

I am sure that the Minister is aware of the Scottish Government's strategic transport review, and no doubt he will share my disappointment at the very lukewarm support for the extension of the Borders railway to Hawick, Newcastleton and on to Carlisle. Does he agree that this Government should show their full support for the project and tell us when the feasibility study for the Borders railway extension will be started?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I absolutely share my hon. Friend's disappointment. When we signed the Borderlands growth deal, I was determined that the feasibility study for reopening the full Borders line should be in there. I am keen to see that work starting as soon as possible, and we will soon respond to the Union connectivity review, which also references that line.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timing of when the feasibility study for the Borders railway extension will be started was not provided.

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Q3 Deidre Brock SNP
Scotland Local Government
Context

The MP is questioning the disparity in investment levels between UK Government and Scottish Government for the city region deal in the Borderlands.

Question

The Borderlands region will see £20 million less investment in its city region deal from the UK Government than from the Scottish Government. Why is that?

Answer from Iain Stewart

If the hon. Lady looks at the full package of investment that is going into the Borderlands deal, she will see that this Government are full square behind that area. It really is disappointing that it comes down to this petty point scoring when the whole point of the city region and growth deal is that all parts of government—local, Scottish and UK—work together on delivering the priorities that are determined by local people.

Not addressed: The specific reason for the £20 million disparity was not addressed.

How: Petty Point Scoring

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Q4 John Stevenson Con
Economy Scotland Local Government
Context

The MP is discussing the economic performance of Carlisle and its role in supporting the Union.

Question

Talking about the Borderlands growth initiative and the growth deal, does the Minister agree that it is extremely important and beneficial to the whole region, and that Carlisle has become the regional capital of parts not just of England, but of Scotland? Does he also agree that south Scotland recognises the importance of Carlisle's economic performance to the whole region? Does he further agree that that helps to support the Union?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I absolutely agree that the Borderlands growth deal is unique in that it straddles the border. The economic footprint of the region is incredibly important. Last year I held a meeting in Carlisle with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to discuss not just the growth deal, but how it can be the starting point for a proper economic partnership that straddles the border and delivers for my hon. Friend and his neighbouring constituencies.

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly answer whether he agrees with all of the statements made about Carlisle's importance to south Scotland and its role in supporting the Union.

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