Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling-up Agenda: Impact of Cost of Living Crisis

Monday 17 October 2022 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The rising cost of living affects people across the UK, particularly in less affluent areas with high inflation and low wage growth.
  • Brexit enabled setting up the shared prosperity fund for local benefits across the UK.
  • Delighted the hon. Gentleman mentioned mini-Budget, highlighting investment zones committed to deliver local opportunities and jobs in Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stuart McDonald SNP
Economy Employment Local Government
Context

Concerns about the impact of inflation and economic challenges on areas targeted for improvement under the 'levelling up' policy.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the impact of the rising cost of living on the levelling-up agenda? The places most in need are suffering from this Tory cost of living crisis, yet it was the Levelling Up Secretary who advocated for a mini-Budget that prioritised the south-east over others.

Answer from Dehenna Davison

The rising cost of living affects people across the UK, particularly in less affluent areas with high inflation and low wage growth. Providing immediate relief through energy support packages, while also focusing on long-term economic resilience and growth to improve local opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment details or figures not provided

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Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Economy Brexit
Context

Concerns about inflation devaluing funds for infrastructure, labour shortages causing delays, and Brexit being at the root of these issues.

Question

Spiralling inflation is reducing available funds for infrastructure and levelling-up projects. Labour shortages will cause delays. Does the Government admit that Brexit causes this? The plans are not working; they are failing.

Answer from Dehenna Davison

Brexit enabled setting up the shared prosperity fund for local benefits across the UK. On inflation, we work with local authorities to support their projects despite challenges.

Not addressed: Specific admission of Brexit's impact on levelling-up and infrastructure not provided

How: Brexit Enabled Setting Up Shared Prosperity Fund

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Q3 Stuart McDonald SNP
Economy Scotland Local Government
Context

Concerns about the Levelling Up Secretary's role in advocating for a mini-Budget that prioritised south-east over others, and questions about fat trimming from levelling-up budgets.

Question

The most needy areas suffer from Tory cost of living crisis. The Levelling Up Secretary cheered mini-Budget favouring south-east. How much 'fat' will be found in levelling-up budgets?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

Delighted the hon. Gentleman mentioned mini-Budget, highlighting investment zones committed to deliver local opportunities and jobs in Scotland.

Not addressed: Specific funding reduction details for levelling-up initiatives not provided

How: Investment Zones Commitment

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