Devolved Administrations: Industrial Strategy

Debate between Lord Gardiner of Kimble and Lord Roberts of Conwy

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Roberts of Conwy]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their industrial strategy is fully supported by the three devolved Governments.

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, the Government’s industrial strategy sets out a long-term, whole-government approach to delivering economic growth. Although some measures will be UK-wide, economic development, including financial assistance to industry, is a devolved matter. Her Majesty’s Government lead regular discussions with the devolved Administrations to ensure that the strategy reflects this. This involves consulting devolved Administrations on key policies as well as sharing information and good practice on a regular basis. The Government support growth across the whole UK by introducing ultrafast broadband into Belfast, generating new investment in Scotland for North Sea oil fields, and bringing mobile coverage to 60,000 rural homes in Wales.

[Lord Roberts of Conwy]

I thank my noble friend for his Answer and, of course, compliment him on his elevation to the Front Bench on this auspicious day, when unemployment has fallen by 50,000. Bearing in mind the fact that the unemployment rate in those devolved government areas is higher than the UK average, and bearing in mind their dependence on the state and the public sector, does my noble friend agree that special measures should be taken by the Government to encourage the private sector in these areas? Can he assure me that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is collaborating closely with the devolved Administrations to that end, although they are of different political persuasions? That is very much in the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole.

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, first, I thank my noble friend for his very generous and kind remarks. He is a great champion of Wales. I am delighted by the news this morning that employment has grown to its highest levels since records began in 1971. Indeed, in Wales, there has been an increase in total employment since April 2010 of 67,000.

The Government’s objective is to make the UK the best place to start, run and expand a business. The success of the private sector in all parts of the UK is key to the recovery, and 900,000 private sector jobs have been created in the past two years. I reassure my noble friend that we are working closely with the devolved Administrations. Regardless of political colour, the national interest comes first.