Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Investment in Infrastructure

Tuesday 11 October 2022 · 7 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

  • Government plans to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure projects through upcoming legislation.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to meet Ben Everitt to discuss the idea of establishing a new university in Milton Keynes.
  • The Government intends to provide additional funding to support infrastructure projects that are ready to go and facing funding shortfalls.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Stevenson Con
Economy Transport Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the fiscal measures needed to support infrastructure investment projects.

Question

What fiscal steps are being taken to support investment in infrastructure projects?

Answer from Chris Philp

A critical part of the Government's growth plan is road, rail and energy infrastructure. We will be introducing legislation shortly to ensure that the delivery of that critical infrastructure is massively sped up.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify fiscal measures or funding amounts

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Q2 Ben Everitt
Education
Context

The MP seeks to establish a new university, MKU, in Milton Keynes to support future skills and employment. The area has already received £23 million through the towns fund.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to discuss the idea of MKU: a brand-new university in Milton Keynes?

Answer from Chris Philp

I thank my hon. Friend, who is a tireless champion for the great city of Milton Keynes. I would be delighted to meet him to discuss the idea along with colleagues from, perhaps, the Department for Education. I note that Milton Keynes has already received £23 million through the towns fund, but I am happy to meet him to discuss the idea.

Answered
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Q3 John Stevenson Con
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the funding shortfalls of public infrastructure projects and asks if the Government will support such projects.

Question

Given the rise in the cost of infrastructure projects, will the Minister confirm that where such projects have a shortfall in funding but are ready to go, the Government will step in and give additional funding to support them?

Answer from Chris Philp

It is very much our intention to speed up projects where they are ready to go. The growth plan announced a few weeks ago made clear our commitment to doing that. The last spending review provided, I think, about £100 billion of funding towards critical economic infrastructure.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm additional funding for specific projects with shortfalls

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Q4 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Energy
Context

Former Conservative energy minister Charles Hendry had approved the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project, but successive governments have not pursued it. The MP is asking for a reopening of the business case given the current energy crisis.

Question

Given the energy crisis we are in, will the Minister consider reopening the business case?

Answer from Chris Philp

The Government are extremely interested in all forms of new energy generation. We are determined to make sure that the United Kingdom is electricity-independent. We are looking at all kinds of projects, including marine projects. I understand that when the Swansea scheme was investigated there were questions about value for money.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm reopening business case or pursuing project

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Q5 Stephen Flynn SNP Aberdeen South
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP is questioning the Government's plan to deliver the Acorn project, a critical energy infrastructure project in north east Scotland. The MP has pointed out that the speed of transformation at Downing Street contrasts with the pace of progress on the Acorn project.

Question

When are the Government going to deliver the Acorn project in the north-east of Scotland?

Answer from Chris Philp

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor says that that is something we are examining carefully. The hon. Gentleman's characterisation of the growth plan is extremely unfair. The real risk is not having a growth plan. The real risk is in having taxes that are too high.

Not addressed: Did not provide timeline or commitment for delivering Acorn project

How: Characterising The Question As Unfair, Discussing Risks Of Lack Of A Growth Plan

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Q6 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of spending cuts on infrastructure spending in regions, especially in the north of England.

Question

Could my right hon. Friend confirm that they will not come at the expense of reductions in vital infrastructure spending in our regions?

Answer from Chris Philp

I am pleased to say, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor said when he introduced the growth plan, that expediting critical infrastructure was an important part of that plan. Without critical infrastructure, we are not going to see the growth in jobs or wages and the prosperity that we all want.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm no cuts for infrastructure spending

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Q7 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Economy Housing Transport
Context

The MP is inquiring about specific infrastructure funding for investment zones established by the Government. The concern is if these will be additional or unfunded expenditure commitments.

Question

Will the Government have specifically targeted funds for infrastructure projects in those zones?

Answer from Chris Philp

I think the Chancellor set out the investment zone concept very clearly. There will be, by agreement with local authorities, planning freedoms and very significant tax cuts. Infrastructure investments are being handled separately to that, but it would be reasonable to expect a degree of co-ordination between the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department for Transport.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm specific infrastructure funding for investment zones

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