Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regional Growth: England

Tuesday 4 March 2025 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Treasury officials engage frequently with local officials in Manchester.
  • Permanent decisions were made to provide long-term business rates relief for retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.
  • Increased defence spending will positively impact businesses supporting GCHQ.
  • The Minister commits to working with DFT colleagues to improve the A483 road.
  • Each business case for Grangemouth will go through the standard sign-off process.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South
Economy
Context

The Chancellor's statement about a lack of new runways since 1945 was inaccurate, as Manchester Airport's new runway has been operating for nearly 25 years. This highlights potential ignorance or bias in Treasury officials' understanding of regional growth.

Question

Manchester airport would be very surprised to hear that its new runway has been operating for nearly 25 years. I think many officials in the Treasury show a startling ignorance of the English regions, and this leads to prejudice in calculating scheme viability. Will he provide coaches to send Treasury officials around the English regions to talk to people who know about growth? Secondly, will he look at the formulas that decide where economic growth happens, which are biased against the regions?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

Treasury officials routinely engage with local and regional officials across the country, including frequently in Manchester. Support has been provided for the Old Trafford development in Manchester. The Government’s policy will benefit establishments like Shed One gin, Wolftown and Kin vodka in Cumbria.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request to send Treasury officials on regional tours was not directly addressed.

How: Acknowledges Existing Engagement, Redirects To Specific Projects

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Q2 Michelle Scrogham Lab Barrow and Furness
Business & Trade
Context

The autumn Budget announced support measures for small businesses, including the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. The question seeks confirmation of specific measures for craft brewing and distillery in Cumbria.

Question

At the autumn Budget, a range of support measures for small businesses were announced, including vital support for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Will the Minister confirm the measures being taken to support the independent and important craft brewing and distillery sector in Cumbria?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

Permanent decisions were made to give businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors certainty that their discounts will apply to business rates relief. These measures will benefit establishments like Shed One gin, Wolftown and Kin vodka in Cumbria.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Defence Science & Technology
Context

The Golden Valley development in Cheltenham will support GCHQ and national security. The question seeks additional funding for the project.

Question

The Golden Valley development in Cheltenham will bring significant growth to the west and back our national security by supporting GCHQ. Now that an extra 0.1% of defence spending has been approved, will the Minister work with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Cabinet Office to agree more funding for this nationally significant development?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

Increased spending on defence will have a positive impact for businesses such as those supporting GCHQ. Further details of that spending will be set out in the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Request for additional funding from multiple departments not directly addressed.

How: Acknowledges Importance, Redirects To Upcoming Spending Review

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Q4 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Transport
Context

The A483 road between Llanymynech and Oswestry is dangerous with frequent crashes and hold-ups, hindering local growth. The question seeks improvements or a bypass for this road.

Question

The Marches region is held back by the A483 road running between Llanymynech and Oswestry. There are frequent crashes and hold-ups on it, which hinders local growth and endangers lives in the area. Will the Minister work with his colleagues in the Department for Transport to ensure that if a bypass cannot be built, vital improvements can at least be made on this road?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

I commit to working with DFT colleagues on projects such as improving the A483. We will give stability to the UK economy so that we can get on and deliver projects like this one.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Request for road improvements or bypass not directly addressed.

How: Acknowledges Importance, Redirects To Spending Review

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Q5 Gareth Davies Con Grantham and Bourne
Economy Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Chancellor has lauded the National Wealth Fund as a key part of regional growth ambitions. The question seeks confirmation on its independence and recent announcements.

Question

The Prime Minister announced at a Labour party political conference that £200 million from the National Wealth Fund would be allocated for Grangemouth, but it is supposed to be operationally independent. Will the Minister confirm that this remains the case? Will he also confirm that the CEO's unexpected resignation just days before the announcement is not connected?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

Each business case for Grangemouth will go through the normal process for sign off. John Flint leaving the National Wealth Fund is not connected to decisions taken by this Government.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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