Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Growth Arc: National Infrastructure Commission Report

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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Richard Fuller raised concerns about the need to update the 2017 National Infrastructure Commission report on the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford growth arc.
  • The Minister emphasized the importance of delivering infrastructure alongside housing growth, citing the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill.
  • Daniel Zeichner highlighted the economic impact of the University of Cambridge and the importance of the growth arc for UK prosperity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about housing growth in Bedfordshire, which has been two and a half times the national average over the past decade. Local services such as GPs and dentists are under severe pressure.

Question

If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of updating the report on the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford growth arc published by the National Infrastructure Commission in 2017.

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for raising the concerns of his constituents, which are shared by many communities. We know how important it is that infrastructure is delivered alongside housing growth. That is why, through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, we will require local authorities to produce an infrastructure strategy as part of the infrastructure levy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting request

How: Will Require Local Authorities To Produce An Infrastructure Strategy

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Q2 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of housing growth in Bedfordshire, with acute pressures on local services like GPs and dentists. The National Infrastructure Commission's progress review confirms that East West Rail could lead to even greater housing development.

Question

Over the past decade, housing growth in Bedfordshire has been two and a half times the national average, with acute pressures on our GPs, dentists and other local services. Today's progress review by the National Infrastructure Commission confirmed what many of us have always known—namely, that East West Rail is an excuse for even greater housing development in Bedfordshire and the region. Will my hon. Friend please meet me and ensure that we do not progress housing growth in the Ox-Cam arc before the shortages in services are settled?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for raising the concerns of his constituents, which are shared by many communities. We know how important it is that infrastructure is delivered alongside housing growth. That is why, through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, we will require local authorities to produce an infrastructure strategy as part of the infrastructure levy. I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss it further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting request

How: Will Require Local Authorities To Produce An Infrastructure Strategy

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Q3 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Economy Scotland Local Government
Context

The University of Cambridge contributes almost £30 billion per annum to the UK economy and supports 86,000 jobs. The Ox-Cam arc is key to future UK prosperity.

Question

Last week London Economics reported that the University of Cambridge contributes almost £30 billion per annum and supports 86,000 jobs across the whole country. When Cambridge does well, the whole country does well. The arc is the key to future UK prosperity, so will the Government play their part by giving local leaders the tools and access to investment so that they can use the wealth that we create to set the stage for Labour to achieve our mission to be the fastest-growing economy in the G7?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Richard Fuller), we are considering the report of the National Infrastructure Commission, but this Government are committed to levelling up and to devolution across the country. We saw in the Budget, delivered by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, that we have devolved significant powers to Mayors across the country, such as Andy Street in the west midlands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific tools and investment access for local leaders

How: Committed To Levelling Up And To Devolution

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