Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Plan for Change

Thursday 24 April 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister for the Cabinet Office has been negotiating with the EU to reset relations in the national interest.
  • Fixing Britain's infrastructure is vital for growth, including reforming planning rules to meet a target of 150 planning decisions.
  • Universal Studios is building Europe's largest theme park in Bedfordshire as part of the Government's growth initiatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jim Dickson Lab Dartford
Economy Transport
Context

The Minister without Portfolio was asked about recent progress in implementing the government's plan for change, particularly regarding infrastructure projects such as the lower Thames crossing.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. It is a really impressive catalogue of achievement in the early months of the Government. Can the Minister set out more specific detail for my constituents and the House on big infrastructure projects such as the lower Thames crossing? I am delighted that the Government have now given consent to it, and Dartford residents are delighted too. How can these big infrastructure projects not only kick-start economic growth but provide jobs, skills and opportunities for residents in Dartford and across the Thames estuary?

Answer from Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)

My hon. Friend is a great champion for the people of Dartford. Fixing Britain’s creaking infrastructure is vital for our growth mission and plan for change. We are reforming our planning rules to cut through blockages to delivering infrastructure and to help meet our target of 150 planning decisions by the end of this Parliament. The Government are committed to working with the private sector to deliver the lower Thames crossing. As well as creating jobs, it will reduce congestion and drive economic growth by improving connectivity between Kent and Essex.

Answered
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Q2 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Economy Brexit
Context

The question relates to the Cabinet Office's assessment of the cost implications for the UK due to its departure from the customs union and single market with the European Union.

Question

As the Minister is undoubtedly aware, part of the plan for change is kick-starting economic growth. Prior to the recess, the Secretary of State for Transport advised me in relation to her statement about electric vehicle charging that the Cabinet Office is responsible for EU reset negotiations. What assessment has the Cabinet Office made of the cost of the UK not being in a customs union with the EU?

Answer from Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)

The Minister for the Cabinet Office has been negotiating with the EU in the country’s national interest. We have been clear that there will be no return to the customs union or single market, but the reset in our relations with the EU is an important one.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The cost of not being in a customs union was not addressed directly.

How: No Return To Customs Union

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Q3 Mike Wood Con Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Economy
Context

The question focuses on the Government's target of making the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7, with recent predictions from the International Monetary Fund, Office for Budget Responsibility, and OECD suggesting this will not be achieved.

Question

Key to much of that plan is the Government’s target to make the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7. But with the International Monetary Fund joining the Office for Budget Responsibility and the OECD in massively slashing projections for UK growth and the IMF not expecting the UK to be the fastest growing economy in the G7 in any year between now and 2030, how confident is the Minister that the Government will meet that target?

Answer from Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)

The prediction is that we are set to be the largest growing European economy in the G7. Since coming into government in July, we have prioritised growth: for example, Universal Studios building Europe’s biggest theme park in Bedfordshire, and unblocking planning decisions on projects like the lower Thames crossing. We are getting on with delivering the growth that the country needs after 14 years of decline under the Conservatives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The confidence level regarding meeting the target was not directly addressed.

How: Prioritising Growth

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