Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Attracting Investment: Support for Towns

Monday 27 March 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are supporting towns to attract investment through freeports and investment zones.
  • The UK shared prosperity fund aims to grow the private sector with 2.6 billion.
  • Government funding is seen as one part of attracting private sector investment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of levelling-up initiatives in attracting investment to towns.

Question

What steps he is taking as part of his Department's levelling up policies to support towns in attracting investment. Manchester and Trafford are cracking on with regenerating Wythenshawe and Sale town centres, despite submitting excellent but ultimately unsuccessful levelling-up bids. Does the Minister really think that forcing cash-strapped councils to waste millions entering endless beauty parades is the best way to level up?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

The Government are supporting towns to attract investment through a wide number of levelling-up initiatives, including freeports and investment zones. The £2.6 billion UK shared prosperity fund aims to grow the private sector across the United Kingdom, and the levelling-up funding programmes total almost £10 billion. A full funding simplification plan will be published in due course, and more power and money are being devolved to local areas. I welcome the trailblazer deal introduced in Manchester.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about forcing councils to compete for investment, but the Minister focused on initiatives without addressing the specific concern of competition.

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Q2 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Economy Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of levelling-up initiatives in attracting investment to towns.

Question

Manchester and Trafford are cracking on with regenerating Wythenshawe and Sale town centres, despite submitting excellent but ultimately unsuccessful levelling-up bids. Does the Minister really think that forcing cash-strapped councils to waste millions entering endless beauty parades is the best way to level up?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

That is why the Government will be publishing a full funding simplification plan in due course, but it is also why we are focusing on devolving more power and more money to local areas. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will join me in welcoming the fantastic trailblazer deal that we have just introduced in Manchester.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about forcing councils to compete for investment, but the Minister focused on devolving power without addressing the specific concern of competition.

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Q3 Jake Berry Con
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP is discussing successful local initiatives and questioning whether the levelling-up fund effectively leverages private sector investment.

Question

In Darwen, we have taken our £25 million town deal and managed to increase that to £100 million with private sector investment. In Rossendale, as part of our £50 million-plus levelling-up funding, we look forward to courting businesses. Does the Minister agree that the whole point of the levelling-up fund is to ensure local authorities work with their local businesses to deliver best for their communities?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; Government funding is just one part of the puzzle to ensure local areas get the investment they need. Attracting that private sector investment is crucial, and I am grateful for all the work he has done locally.

Answered
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