Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Towns Fund: Project Delivery

Monday 16 October 2023 · 4 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support for the Towns Fund includes monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure project delivery.
  • Officials are working closely with Kirklees Council to monitor and support Dewsbury's projects, with an additional 20 million announced.
  • The response to DUP MP Sammy Wilson indicates that the absence of Northern Ireland towns in the Towns Fund is due to the lack of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Eastwood
Local Government
Context

The MP noted that his constituency, Dewsbury, is set to receive £25 million from the Towns Fund.

Question

I am concerned about the delivery of projects in my constituency. What steps are you taking to help ensure the delivery of projects supported by the Towns Fund?

Answer from Jacob Young

We are supporting 101 towns through our £6.1 billion towns fund, helping to level up across the country. My Department proactively engages with local authorities through monitoring and evaluation processes to determine delivery support needs, including specialist support from the Department.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Eastwood
Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted that Kirklees Council has a history of financial mismanagement, raising concerns about the effective use of additional funding for Dewsbury.

Question

In light of Labour-run Kirklees Council's past financial issues and failure to deliver regeneration projects on time or within budget, how can we ensure that the Towns Fund money is used effectively in Dewsbury?

Answer from Jacob Young

My officials are monitoring the town deal closely, working with Kirklees Council and the town deal board to ensure that Dewsbury's projects are delivered quickly. An additional £20 million was announced for Dewsbury as part of our long-term plan for towns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures not detailed

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Q3 Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim
Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted that no towns in Northern Ireland have received support from the Towns Fund despite having a criterion for selection.

Question

Fifty-five towns receive support from the Towns Fund, but none are in Northern Ireland. Given that the criteria has been set, why have no towns in Northern Ireland benefited?

Answer from Jacob Young

We want the Northern Ireland Executive up and running as soon as possible. Once it is, we hope to be able to help with the funds mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.

Not addressed: Avoided explaining why towns in NI have not received support despite criteria being set

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Q4 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
NHS Local Government
Context

The MP criticized the government for prioritizing developers over residents, citing infrastructure issues and budget cuts in Mid Bedfordshire.

Question

Residents struggle to see a GP or get dental care, with council budgets halved since 2015. Why does the Government continue to prioritize developers over people living in towns?

Answer from Jacob Young

I disagree with her but point to measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which will come to the House tomorrow, aimed at improving high streets for local people.

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