Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regional Economic Inequality

Tuesday 7 May 2024 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government implemented 15 billion of support for communities outside London and the south-east.
  • The Darlington economic campus benefits from 22 million town deal funding and 6 million shared prosperity fund support.
  • Funding for coastal communities includes the shared prosperity fund, levelling-up fund, towns fund, 13 devolution deals, investment zones, and freeports.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Economy
Context

The cross-party Public Accounts Committee has highlighted issues with the transparency of levelling-up funds, including changing rules for funding applications.

Question

What recent fiscal steps have been taken to help reduce regional economic inequalities? The Government's levelling-up funds faced a 'worrying lack of transparency', and 55 local authorities were rejected without advance notice that their bids had no chance. Will the Minister apologise?

Answer from Gareth Davies

We implemented £15 billion of support for communities outside London and the south-east, leading to higher median pay growth in these regions. There is a robust methodology for selecting places for funding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not apologise but discussed general success of levelling-up funds

How: Under Review, Robust Methodology

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Q2 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Economy Employment
Context

The Darlington economic campus has exceeded initial employee targets and is expected to provide over 1,500 roles in the constituency.

Question

What assessment has been made of the Darlington economic campus's contribution to reducing regional inequalities and supporting the levelling-up agenda?

Answer from Gareth Davies

The campus is an important part of our Government estate, creating jobs. It benefits from £22 million town deal funding and £6 million shared prosperity fund support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct assessment but highlighted funding contributions

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Q3 Peter Gibson
Economy
Context

Victims of Legacy funeral directors selling fake plans are struggling to pay for proper funerals due to inability to reclaim funds.

Question

Do banks need to offer more discretion when dealing with victims of such fraud, and will the Minister meet me to discuss this specific case further?

Answer from Gareth Davies

I am sorry for the circumstances described. The Economic Secretary will meet with Emma Hardy regarding this issue.

Answered
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Q4 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Economy Employment Local Government
Context

Coastal areas face long-term economic inequalities and require continued investment for job creation.

Question

Could the Minister outline plans for bringing forward further schemes to support coastal communities like Cleethorpes in terms of funding and jobs?

Answer from Gareth Davies

We acknowledge the specific challenges coastal areas face. Funding includes shared prosperity fund, levelling-up fund, towns fund, 13 devolution deals, investment zones and freeports.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not outline specific future funding schemes but mentioned existing initiatives

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