Economic Growth: North-East

08 Apr

Question

This question session focused on promoting economic growth in the north-east of England, an endeavor the Government cited as a primary mission. The debate revolved around infrastructure improvements and funding allocations. Significant emphasis was placed on resolving road infrastructure constraints that hinder regional growth and investment opportunities. The session highlighted both regional collaborative efforts and national funding strategies for infrastructural development.

£4.8 billion

Allocated settlement for National Highways to prioritize road improvements nationally.

Significant Contributions:

Emma Foody of the Labour Party emphasized the necessity of addressing infrastructure bottlenecks such as the Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts, which she argued are crucial for unlocking regional economic potential.
Emma Reynolds assured that the government has committed substantial funds towards nationwide road improvements and that further details specific to the RIS3 programme would emerge post-spending review phase 2.
John Lamont expressed concerns over the cancellation of the A1 upgrade, criticized as detrimental to both the north-east and parts of Scotland, signaling repercussions beyond regional boundaries.

£500 million

Uplift in funding for local roads within the financial year.

Debate Type Specifics:

This question session, conducted in the House of Commons, was focused on the north-eastern regional economic initiatives. It witnessed references to local and national strategies and intertwined infrastructural concerns with broader economic growth agendas.

Outcome

The government reiterated its commitment to local infrastructure improvements in the north-east, ensuring continued dialogue with regional stakeholders while placing emphasis on future funding considerations. The dialogue on the A1, although tangential, underscored the interconnectedness of regional strategies across borders. However, no immediate new commitments were recorded.

Key Contributions

Emma FoodySpeaker

Labour

Questioned efforts for north-east economic growth.

Emma ReynoldsSpeaker

Affirmed national commitment to road improvements.

John LamontSpeaker

Conservative

Criticized A1 upgrade cancellation as harmful to both north-east England and south of Scotland.

Original Transcript

Emma Foody

Cramlington and Killingworth

Lab/Co-op

Question

UIN: 903660

5. What steps she is taking to increase economic growth in the north-east.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury

Emma Reynolds

11:54

Securing economic growth across the country is the Government’s No. 1 mission. We are working in partnership with the Mayor of the North East, providing the North East combined authority with an integrated funding settlement from ’26-27, and working with it on its local growth plan.

Emma Foody

11:54

The combined authority has identified a key growth corridor sweeping across my constituency, but a historical lack of investment to upgrade the Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts causes relentless disruption and holds back growth, investment and opportunity.

There is a business plan in the north-east growth plan and in the road investment strategy. Does the Minister agree that that is exactly the sort of scheme that this Labour Government should support to boost economic growth in every region?

Emma Reynolds

11:54

The Government are committed to improving roads. We agreed a £4.8 billion settlement for National Highways and funded a £500 million uplift for local roads in this financial year. Funding for the RIS3 programme, which my hon.

Friend mentioned, will be considered in phase 2 of the spending review, and I encourage her to continue to engage with the Minister for roads on this issue.

John Lamont

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Con

rose—

Mr Speaker

11:54

I presume Mr Lamont thinks it is north-east Scotland, rather than north-east England.

John Lamont

This Government decided to cancel the A1 upgrade, which will harm the economy not just in the north-east of England, but in the south of Scotland. What economic impact assessment did the Government make before deciding to cancel that vital road link?

Emma Reynolds

Nice try. In terms of north-east growth, I have already said that we are working very closely with the Mayor of the North East combined authority. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman asks questions about roads relevant to his part of the country at Transport questions.

Mr Speaker

I now call the Minister to answer Alistair Carmichael’s question on the potential impact of changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on farmers, which was omitted in error from earlier versions of the Order Paper.

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