Regeneration in Towns and Cities 2021-10-25
2021-10-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
No specific incident or event is mentioned, but the MP asked about general support for regeneration initiatives.
What steps his Department is taking to support regeneration in towns and cities.
The Department is investing billions in local growth funds—including the towns fund and the levelling-up fund—to deliver regeneration across the UK. Our high streets strategy outlines our vision for supporting thriving places, and we have an ambitious agenda for improving opportunity, living standards, and public services.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP wants support for levelling-up bids to be included in the upcoming Budget.
I thank the Minister for that response. Will my hon. Friend have a chat with the Chancellor and the Secretary of State about supporting our levelling-up bids through this week's Budget?
I recognise that hon. Members from Stoke-on-Trent are very keen, but I cannot comment specifically on his bid as it is being assessed according to the published assessment process. Outcomes will be announced this autumn.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to discuss levelling-up bids with the Chancellor and Secretary of State was not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted Conservative-run North Lincolnshire Council's policy of two hours' free parking as a way to support high streets.
Does my hon. Friend agree that initiatives such as Conservative-run North Lincolnshire Council's policy of two hours' free parking are incredibly important for supporting our high streets and town centres?
I agree with my hon. Friend that parking policies are important in supporting high streets to thrive, which is why we announced a package of measures to make parking more accessible as part of our build back better high streets strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the commitment of levelling-up funds for a three-year time span and whether they will be available if not spent on time.
Kimberley has some fantastic ideas, such as moving its cricket pitch and building a new community hub. However, there is concern among local community leaders that if the money is committed for a three-year time span but is not spent on time, it will no longer be available for use on the new hub. Can I have a commitment from the Minister that that is not the case?
We are looking to empower local communities such as Kimberley, but I must stress that any project wishing to gain Government funding must have a fully developed plan before bidding. Places should have confidence in their capacity to deliver to agreed timescales.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment regarding the availability of levelling-up funds beyond initial timelines was not provided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP wants confirmation that the next tranche of the levelling-up fund will be forthcoming.
Falmouth has huge potential. It is the third-deepest natural harbour in the world and is the gateway to the Atlantic. However, it is crying out for investment. Will the Minister confirm that the next tranche will be forthcoming?
First of all, I congratulate my hon. Friend on the Truro town deal in her constituency and welcome her continued work as a champion of the area. £88.7 million of towns fund investment is driving regeneration and growth in Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro, with real economic benefits for Falmouth.
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Assessment & feedback
Confirmation regarding the next tranche of levelling-up funding was not provided
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about the plans to support towns in Broadland.
Levelling up has sometimes been mis-described as a transfer of resources from the south to the north. What plans does the Minister have to support towns in Broadland, including Fakenham, Acle and Aylsham?
Levelling up is about empowering local leaders and communities to drive real change. The Government are investing over £17 million in Norfolk's towns, with ambitious town deals already delivered in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expresses concern over the cut to universal credit and its impact on retail in Staveley.
Will the Minister stress to her colleagues that the cut to universal credit will fatally undermine retail in Staveley, and that these plans would benefit from universal credit not being cut?
The Government are doing everything they can to support communities such as his. We are putting other resources in place to support those people in his community who need them the most.
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Assessment & feedback
Addressing concerns over cuts to universal credit was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asks about urgent action the Department will take to ensure that local authorities have a proper grip on flood defences.
With Question 16 in mind, which we may not fit in today, may I ask what urgent action the Department will take, with COP26 around the corner, to ensure that local authorities have a proper grip on flood defences and the environmental issues that councils face day by day?
I apologise to the hon. Lady, but I am not sure what sort of answer she is expecting given her reference to COP26. She can get a letter providing further information.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing A Letter Instead Of Direct Response
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by significant budget cuts and ongoing financial pressures on local councils. There has been a £15 billion reduction in funding, and the Local Government Association reports that there are now £2.6 billion in non-COVID cost pressures on councils.
Even if we add up all the piecemeal pots of regeneration funding that the Government like to mention in their press releases, they still come to nowhere near the £15 billion that has been cut from local councils under the Tories. The Government have failed to deliver on promises to reimburse covid costs, and the Tory-led Local Government Association says that there is now £2.6 billion in non-covid cost pressures on councils. On Wednesday, the Chancellor has the chance to tackle the council funding crisis that the Government have created, so what demands have Ministers in this team made to get the Budget settlement that all our towns and cities need?
I cannot comment specifically on what will be announced in the Budget this Wednesday, but I will tell the hon. Gentleman what, for instance, we did in the most recent local government finance settlement. In this year's settlement, we made available an increase in core spending power in England; it will go from £49 billion this year to £51.3 billion in 2021-22—a 4.6% increase in cash terms. We see ourselves as a supporter of local government across the country; we very much speak up for it in our discussions with the Treasury, and I am sure that will become apparent on Wednesday.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific demands made by Ministers to ensure a proper budget settlement were not addressed.
Response accuracy