Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Alison McGovern

Thursday 1st December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab)]

4. What plans his Department has to assess the potential economic effects of the UK exiting the EU across different regions and nations of the UK.

[The Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Jones)]

The Department is carrying out a programme of work to analyse the economic significance and trade dynamics of more than 50 sectors of the economy. That includes analysis at both national and regional levels. Ministers and officials also have an extensive programme of bilateral meetings and visits across the country to listen to the views of business.

[Alison McGovern]

But we know from academic research that the regions in the north of England will be hit the hardest by Brexit. Further to previous questions that I have raised in this House about the fact that the Department has no staff based outside London, may I ask the Minister whether that position has now been reconsidered, and if so, how many will be based in Merseyside?

[Mr Jones]

The hon. Lady is entirely wrong. The north-west of England is extremely important to our Department’s consideration of the negotiations and the terms of Brexit. I have to tell her that if she regards the Government’s proposals for the northern powerhouse as something that is inimical to the interests of the north-west, I am astonished.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Alison McGovern

Thursday 20th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Jones]

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. As I indicated previously, the Chancellor has effectively guaranteed structural funding to 2020. It is important that such programmes deliver value for money and to that end the Government will liaise closely with the devolved Administrations and local authorities such as Cornwall Council.

[Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab)]

Given the Secretary of State’s answer to Question 1 on financial services, I am sure he is well aware that Merrill Lynch has 1,000 staff in Chester and that Santander has more than 1,000 staff in Bootle. However, he has staff only in London and Brussels. Will he therefore commit to base staff from his Department in every region of England so that businesses can share their views directly with them?