Debates between Mike Wood and Kwasi Kwarteng during the 2019-2024 Parliament

The Growth Plan

Debate between Mike Wood and Kwasi Kwarteng
Friday 23rd September 2022

(2 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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We are always looking at infrastructure projects and measuring their benefit to cost ratio. Investment zones are, of course, naturally allied to key bits of infrastructure and they have to be co-ordinated. That is one of the purposes of what we are announcing.

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)
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Investment zones have the potential to make a massive contribution to levelling up in areas such as Dudley South. Will the Chancellor reassure my constituents that the more liberalised planning regulations will not mean that communities have to sacrifice precious green belt as the price of an enterprise zone?

Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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That is absolutely right. The whole premise and basis of the investment zone conversation is mutual consent. There has to be mutual consent—they will not be imposed in any area. Absolutely, local residents and councils will have a huge say in how the investment zone develops.

Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port and Battery Manufacturing Strategy

Debate between Mike Wood and Kwasi Kwarteng
Monday 1st March 2021

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

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Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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I am fully aware and conscious of the difficult time that we are going through, but the hon. Lady will appreciate that these are ongoing conversations —ongoing sensitive negotiations—and I am not going to be prepared to enter into the details on the Floor of the House. Once we have a reached a decision—a conclusion—with the company, we can then have a fuller discussion. I am very committed to landing the right result in this conversation.

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con) [V]
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JLR is leading the way in committing to an all-electric future, boosting our strong manufacturing base in the west midlands, so it was disappointing that Labour discounted the west midlands from its plans. Will my right hon. Friend demonstrate his superior judgment by backing the campaign by west midlands Conservative MPs and our fantastic Mayor, Andy Street, for a west midlands gigafactory so that the west midlands truly can be the engine for growth?

Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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I am not sure whether that was a yes or no question, but yes to my hon. Friend’s point. Andy is doing a great job. MPs in the region, my right hon. and hon. Friends, are really driving progress in this area. I would be very happy to help them and support them in that endeavour.