House of Commons · Ministers' Questions
Monday 4 December 2023 · 3 questions
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
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The MP is assessing the government's policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities across England.
Question
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government's levelling-up policies at reducing regional inequalities?
Answer from Michael Gove
A lot done, a lot still to do, but certainly much more than the Scottish Government.
How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)
The MP inquires about the funding disparity between current levelling-up initiatives and potential funding if Scotland had remained an EU member.
Question
In that case, can the Secretary of State tell us whether Scotland will receive more or less funding to tackle regional inequality than it would have received if we had done as 78% of voters in my constituency did and voted to remain in the European Union?
Answer from Michael Gove
We are doing better outside the European Union. If we had followed the hon. Gentleman's advice and remained in the European Union, we would have found that the fishing industry was decimated by the common fisheries policy and we would not have had the opportunity to invest in new levelling-up partnerships in Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Dundee and, of course, the west central belt. This UK Government are intervening where the Scottish Government cannot to support local government in Scotland.
Not addressed: Specific funding comparison requested but discussion shifted to benefits outside EU.
How: Changed Subject, Argued Against Hypothetical Scenario
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The MP criticises the new Labour-run council in Stoke-on-Trent for scaling back proposed e-sports arena projects.
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that it is a great shame that Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which is now Labour-run, has scaled back its levelling-up plans by getting rid of the proposed e-sports arena? The first of its kind outside of London, it would have built on Staffordshire University's UK-leading—indeed, world-leading—e-sports courses, as well as the 9,000 jobs created since 2015, the £56 million we got in levelling-up funding, the £17.6 million Kidsgrove town deal, and much more.
Answer from Michael Gove
When it comes to levelling up and the e-sports centre, I am always clear that it is my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove who answers the call of duty. He is absolutely right to say that, under the Labour council now in Stoke-on-Trent, the huge progress we were making on levelling up has stalled.
How: Criticized Opposition
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