Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for growth in South Wales and Western England over the next five years; and whether the English Devolution White Paper will include measures to maintain collaboration to support the cross-border economy in that area.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

A recent economic assessment undertaken by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Western Gateway on behalf of HMG, forecasts that the West of England and South Wales economies have the potential to grow by 1.4% a year between 2024 and 2029, slightly ahead of the UK excluding London, and if fully recognised, also ahead of other comparable growth areas such as the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and the Scottish Central Belt.

HMG is also currently undertaking the consultation phase of our new industrial strategy delivering a 10-year plan for growth across the UK and would encourage all regions to participate to be part of a modern and ambitious economic vision for the country.

HMG has already announced the Council of Nations and Regions, which will support cross-border collaboration by bringing together the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with the heads of the devolved governments and the mayors of combined authorities, combined country authorities and the Mayor of London, to consider shared opportunities and lessons on best practice across the UK.