Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling-up Funding: Economically Deprived Communities

Monday 22 January 2024 · 7 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Grahame Morris questioned the targeting of levelling-up funding at the most economically deprived communities, citing the negative impact of the bedroom tax in his constituency.
  • The Minister stated that spending commitments for the household support fund beyond the current financial year cannot be made but offered to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter.
  • Jessica Morden requested that all parts of Stoke-on-Trent receive support, to which the Minister responded positively, indicating plans for further announcements to benefit specific communities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

Deprivation in Easington is exacerbated by bad policy decisions such as the bedroom tax, which halted a multimillion-pound housing renovation scheme.

Question

If he will target levelling-up funding at the most economically deprived communities. Deprivation is made worse by bad policy decisions like the bedroom tax, which brought an end to a multi-million pound housing renovation scheme in Horden, my constituency, ranked in the bottom 10% for UK deprivation.

Answer from Jacob Young

We selected bids based on strict criteria and methodology outlined on gov.uk. I am sorry that my constituency did not benefit, but we funded a project in County Durham in round 1 of the levelling-up fund, and I am happy to work with him to see what more we could do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation for rejection of specific bid was avoided

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Q2 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Housing
Context

The household support fund has provided essential assistance to councils across the UK.

Question

Will the Minister confirm whether the household support fund will be extended beyond this financial year?

Answer from Jacob Young

I cannot make spending commitments today, but I can say that my hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his constituents and I am happy to ensure that the relevant Minister meets him to discuss the matter further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on extension of household support fund was given

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Q3 James Sunderland
Business & Trade
Context

The Secretary of State is the deputy chair of the Tata Steel transition board, which has made a significant announcement affecting Port Talbot.

Question

Will he acknowledge just how devastating Tata Steel's announcement was for Port Talbot and work with Business and Trade Ministers to look again at the longer, fairer transition that protects sovereign steelmaking capabilities and communities?

Answer from Jacob Young

The hon. Lady knows how important steel is to me; my constituency was deeply affected when SSI closed in 2015. We have provided £100 million of support, but I am happy to ensure that the relevant Minister meets her to discuss further support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on looking again at transition was given

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Q4 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Economy Local Government
Context

The levelling-up partnership scheme includes Stoke-on-Trent.

Question

Does the Minister agree that it is vital that every part of Stoke-on-Trent gets support so that all communities, including those in my constituency and particularly Longton, can benefit?

Answer from Jacob Young

The levelling-up partnership will be transformational for Stoke-on-Trent, building on the investment we have made there. I met my hon. Friend last week to discuss his priorities and hope to make further announcements about Longton in coming months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on reaching every area was given

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Q5 Jack Brereton Con
Economy Democracy & Elections
Context

Data shows that towns and cities across the UK have been levelled down, with people over £10,000 a year worse off.

Question

Does he accept that after 14 years of Conservative Government, the British people are worse off than they were then?

Answer from Jacob Young

I absolutely do not accept that. We have had a financial crash and covid-19, but we have invested over £4.8 billion of levelling-up funding directly into communities across the country.

Not addressed: No acknowledgment of worsening situation was given

How: Financial Crash, Covid-19

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Q6 Angela Rayner Lab Ashton-under-Lyne
Housing Transport Local Government
Context

The Minister dismisses evidence of people being worse off.

Question

Will the country suffer another final year of failure, or will they now listen to proposals for reforming planning, reinstating housing targets, and getting Britain building again?

Answer from Jacob Young

The Labour party has bankrupted Birmingham, and it would bankrupt Britain. We have rolled out gigabit broadband, introduced educational investment in areas, opened new freeports, increased the national living wage, recruited more police officers, funded regeneration and community ownership, and devolved power to local Mayors.

Not addressed: No commitment to listening was given

How: Bankrupt Birmingham, Would Bankrupt Britain

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Q7 Angela Rayner Lab Ashton-under-Lyne
Economy Scotland
Context

The EU has provided greater funding support to economically deprived communities in Scotland compared to the UK Government.

Question

Why should Scots be happy with the tiny sliver of Westminster levelling-up funding, when Westminster denied Scotland a share of the far greater opportunity of EU development funding?

Answer from Jacob Young

I completely reject her assertion. We have invested £212 million in Scotland through the UK shared prosperity fund, £465 million through the levelling-up fund, and £18.3 million through the community renewal fund.

Not addressed: No acknowledgment of denial of EU funding opportunity was given

How: Completely Reject Assertion

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