It is a real pleasure to respond to the debate on behalf of the Department and the Government. I thank Andy McDonald for securing this important debate, which will be of great interest to residents of Middlesbrough who are watching and thinking about how to vote in the local elections. The Minister acknowledged the consultation carried out between 23 June and 4 August last year by the Mayor of the Tees Valley Combined Authority on a proposal to designate a mayoral development area for Middlesbrough town centre, which would establish a development corporation known as the Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC). The Minister stressed that there is no democratic deficit since Middlesbrough Council responded positively to the consultation and the designation was submitted following unanimous agreement by the combined authority's cabinet. She highlighted the importance of giving Mayors the tools and resources they need to succeed, noting that a Mayor cannot unilaterally create one of these corporations; public consultation and consent from members of the combined authority are required. The Minister praised Ben Houchen, the democratically elected Mayor of Tees Valley, for promoting the best interests of local people in seeking to regenerate the area through devolution. She emphasised that the Secretary of State is legally bound to establish any development corporation requested by a Mayor and gave examples of investment plans such as the Northern School of Art expansion and improvements to local transport through Middlesbrough train station. The Minister concluded by proudly backing the Conservative-led economic resurgence in Teesside, standing against allegations made by Andy McDonald.