Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling-up Agenda

Monday 21 November 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers meet counterparts in devolved Administrations regularly to discuss economic outlook and government spending.
  • The Secretary of State stated that levelling-up fund bids and freeport bids details will be announced shortly.
  • The Secretary of State emphasized that a separate currency for Scotland could result in capital flight and high inflation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Economy Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

Discusses recent meetings with devolved Administrations about the impact of Government spending levels and the cost of living on the levelling-up agenda.

Question

What recent discussions has had with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on the potential impacts of (a) levels of Government spending and (b) the cost of living on the levelling-up agenda?

Answer from Michael Gove

Ministers meet their counterparts in the devolved Administrations regularly, including a meeting on 10 November where the Prime Minister and First Ministers discussed the economic outlook. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury met with Finance Ministers regarding the autumn statement, and officials remain in constant contact.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or commitments regarding the impact of government spending and cost of living on levelling-up agenda.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Gavin Newlands SNP
Economy Scotland
Context

Discusses delays in the implementation of the levelling-up programme, resulting in £1.5 billion lost to poorer areas and additional £0.5 billion due to inflation.

Question

This Government like to talk levelling up, but implementation delays have robbed poorer areas of £1.5 billion, with an additional £0.5 billion lost due to spiralling inflation. The Tories de-industrialised west central Scotland in the 1980s. We are bringing it back with the advanced manufacturing innovation district, including the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the medicines manufacturing innovation centre in my constituency. When might we hear that this Government will play their part by ensuring that the stand-out Clyde Green freeport bid and the Renfrew community hub levelling-up bid will be successful?

Answer from Michael Gove

We will announce shortly the details of levelling-up bids and freeport bids. When it comes to delays in implementation, I draw attention to the divergence between a UK Government delivering six new warships on the Clyde and the Scottish Government failing to finish painting windows on a ferry.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request about ensuring success of Clyde Green freeport bid and Renfrew community hub.

How: Changed Subject To Criticism Of The Scottish Government.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Economy Scotland
Context

Discusses the impact of £1.7 billion in inflationary pressures on the Scottish budget, overshadowing the Barnett consequentials.

Question

We are supposed to be eternally grateful for the £1.5 billion of Barnett consequentials over two years, but that is easily dwarfed by the £1.7 billion of inflationary pressures on the Scottish budget this year. When the Secretary of State discussed with the Scottish Government Scotland's needs, such as the need to cover that £1.7 billion inflation cut, the additional money for pay and their other spending priorities, did he just ignore what they were saying?

Answer from Michael Gove

No, we never ignore what the Scottish Government are saying. I point out that following an SNP approach to a separate currency for Scotland would result in capital flight and massive interest rate increases leading to galloping inflation.

Not addressed: Did not address whether the Secretary of State ignored the concerns about inflationary pressures.

How: Changed Subject To Criticism Of Snp'S Currency Policy.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Virginia Crosbie
Economy Local Government
Context

Supports the Isle of Anglesey County Council's £17 million levelling-up bid, which includes excellent representation from local organisations.

Question

I am delighted to support the Isle of Anglesey County Council's £17 million levelling-up bid, which includes excellent representation from Holyhead Town Council and others. Does the Secretary of State agree that the levelling-up fund can transform places such as Holyhead? Can we have an update on timing? Will he accept my invitation to see first-hand how transformational the fund could be to Holyhead?

Answer from Michael Gove

Yes. I am continually impressed by the superb advocacy that Conservative MPs bring to bear for their communities. I look forward to making that visit early in the new year after levelling-up fund bids are confirmed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide an update on timing of the Levelling-up Fund.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Patricia Gibson SNP
Economy Local Government
Context

Discusses the lack of mention of levelling up during the autumn statement and concerns about deeper austerity cuts.

Question

It has been quite something to listen to hon. Members on both sides arguing for more powers for councils in England while they conspire to prevent powers for the Scottish Parliament. After several tumultuous months, we are told that levelling up is the Government's flagship policy. With deeper austerity cuts slated after the next election, the future of the levelling-up agenda is more in doubt than ever. Does he agree that levelling up requires a long-term commitment and cannot survive planned Tory austerity?

Answer from Michael Gove

The hon. Lady knows I have affection for her. As one of the first advocates for levelling-up funding to her constituency, I look forward to working with her and colleagues to deliver on time the levelling-up fund bids from Scottish authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether levelling up requires a long-term commitment or can survive planned Tory austerity.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Patricia Gibson SNP
Economy Scotland Democracy & Elections
Context

Discusses the Office for Budget Responsibility's estimates of a 7.1% fall in real-terms wages over two years, the sharpest since WWII.

Question

Despite what we have heard, OBR estimates that there will be a 7.1% fall in real-terms wages over the next two years, the sharpest since WWII. That is before planned Tory austerity which reduces living standards further. With Scotland short-changed and suffering from a Brexit-inflated recession as part of broken Britain, can he explain why the Government are seeking to deny democracy to Scotland?

Answer from Michael Gove

There are many talented politicians in the Scottish Government and SNP. Sadly, we have seen centralisation of powers under the Scottish Government, with business rates hitting the north-east and Police Scotland centralising powers against local trust.

Not addressed: Did not address why the government seeks to deny democracy to Scotland.

How: Changed Subject To Criticism Of Snp'S Policies.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email