Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth: East Midlands

Tuesday 4 March 2025 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Louise Jones inquired about the Chesterfield-Staveley regeneration route and its importance for economic growth in North East Derbyshire.
  • Jen Craft highlighted the Government's investment in defence spending as a driver for job creation and industrial growth across the country.
  • Lee Anderson discussed the impact of increased national insurance contributions on local businesses in Ashfield, citing a specific example of a business facing recruitment challenges due to the cost.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Louise Jones Lab North East Derbyshire
Economy Transport
Context

The town of Staveley in North East Derbyshire hosts one of the three sites for the east midlands investment zone. The Chesterfield-Staveley regeneration route is crucial to making the most of this site and has been long campaigned for by constituents.

Question

The town of Staveley in my constituency of North East Derbyshire hosts one of the three sites for the east midlands investment zone, which is a fantastic opportunity for us. The Chesterfield-Staveley regeneration route is however vital to making the most of the site and it has been long campaigned for by my hon Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Mr Perkins). It is a huge priority for my constituents. Will the Treasury work with us and our excellent Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, to bring this hugely beneficial project to fruition?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

I thank my hon Friend for the work that she does alongside my hon Friend the Member for Chesterfield in campaigning for developments that will boost growth in both North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield. The Department for Transport is considering the scheme for the Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route, and I will suggest to the Roads Minister that he meet the relevant Members as well as the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward.

Partly answered
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Q2 Jen Craft Lab Thurrock
Defence Economy Employment
Context

The Government have increased defence spending, which is seen as an important investment for British industry and job creation. The east of England has a significant defence sector.

Question

The Government’s decision to increase defence spending is not only an ironclad commitment to national security in the face of generational challenges but an investment in British industry, able to unlock new jobs and opportunities across the country. Industry in the east of England has a significant defence sector, which received £1.5 billion of Government investment last year. Can the Chancellor explain how the additional defence funding has the potential to benefit my constituents in Thurrock as well as those in the wider region?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

As my hon Friend says, defence has an important role to play in the growth mission as well as keeping our country safe and secure. The Defence Secretary and I hosted a roundtable at RAF Waddington in Lincoln to announce a new defence innovation hub to harness that potential. Defence spending in the east of England accounted for £1.5 billion last year, including sites operated by the MOD and QinetiQ as part of a long-term partnership worth more than £5 billion.

Partly answered
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Q3 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Economy Taxation Employment
Context

A business in Kirkby-in-Ashfield reported that increased national insurance contributions would cost them £240 a year, preventing recruitment and pay rises for employees.

Question

I recently visited a business in Kirkby-in-Ashfield in the east midlands—funnily enough, I did not see the hon Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) there—where I was told that the increase in national insurance contributions would cost the business £240 a year, which will prevent it from recruiting people and giving its employees a pay rise next year. Does the Chancellor agree that it is time to reverse this ridiculous decision and help to drive growth in the east midlands?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

In the Budget in October I had to fill the £22 billion black hole left by the previous Government, but there are huge opportunities to grow the economy in the east midlands. We recently agreed the £9 billion Unity deal with Rolls-Royce to support the Royal Navy submarine fleet, which will provide a major boost for economic growth in the east midlands, creating and maintaining 5,000 long-term jobs.

Not addressed: Reversing national insurance contributions increase

How: Redirected To Another Topic

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