Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling-up Agenda

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 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The White Paper "Levelling Up the United Kingdom" outlines plans to level up every part of the UK by 2030 through new investment zones and regional infrastructure investments.
  • South Yorkshire has received significant funding through various levelling-up initiatives, including 570 million for transport and 95 million through the levelling-up fund.
  • The second round of the levelling-up fund will proceed, with decisions expected by the end of the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Economy
Context

The MP is concerned about the fiscal steps being taken to support levelling up in her constituency.

Question

What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support levelling up?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

The White Paper “Levelling Up the United Kingdom” sets out a clear plan to level up every corner of the UK by 2030. We are driving growth and unlocking housing with new investment zones, investing billions in regional infrastructure, including £1.7 billion allocated under the levelling-up fund, of which £500 million went to the north.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific fiscal measures or commitments for Bradford South

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Q2 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Economy Local Government
Context

Previous Chancellors have not delivered the level of transformative resource required for levelling up, and there is concern about current progress.

Question

What will be done differently under this new Chancellor to ensure the levelling-up agenda gets more support?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We are absolutely committed to the levelling-up agenda. South Yorkshire received £570 million through the regional cities transport scheme, £95 million through the levelling-up fund and £46 million through the shared prosperity fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify what will be done differently under this new Chancellor

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Q3 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Economy Local Government
Context

There is a plan for the transformation of Odsal stadium to become a world-class sports, music and culture arena with potential socioeconomic benefits.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that round 2 of the levelling-up fund will still be going ahead in full and meet me and stakeholders to discuss it?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

I can confirm that we will be going ahead with the second round of the levelling-up fund. There should be decisions by the end of the year, and if that meeting is possible, we will do it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify conditions for the meeting

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Q4 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Climate
Context

The renewable energy sector is vital to the local economy.

Question

Can the Minister give me an assurance that support for the renewable energy sector will continue?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We are very much committed to the sector, and I would be delighted to sit down with my hon. Friend to discuss this further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurance or commitment

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Q5 Mark Pawsey Con
Business & Trade
Context

There are proposals for an investment zone at Coventry airport to support UK automotive manufacturing.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the application by local authorities for an investment zone at Coventry airport should be encouraged?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We are encouraging all higher and local authorities to look at the investment zones and to apply. I think they are a great tool for development, so I would absolutely encourage that application.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on how the application will be encouraged

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Q6 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Economy
Context

There is skepticism about the levelling-up agenda's effectiveness.

Question

Do they actually still believe in this fairy tale of levelling up, or are they planning to level us all down?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

Everything we are doing is being driven by a growth agenda so that we can level up all the way across the United Kingdom.

Not addressed: Did not address skepticism about levelling-up agenda's effectiveness

How: Changed Subject

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Q7 David Morris Con
Economy
Context

The Eden Project North has planning permission and land allocation for a shovel-ready scheme.

Question

When will decisions be made on the second phase of the levelling-up round so that we can get this project going?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

Decisions on the second phase of the levelling-up round will be made by the end of the year, and I wish my hon. Friend well.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific conditions for funding or timelines beyond 'by the end of the year'

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