Debates between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Flight during the 2019 Parliament

Industrial and Mining Towns

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Flight
Thursday 13th February 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Viscount Younger of Leckie Portrait Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Hansard - -

Absolutely—that will definitely be looked at. I make the point that, as the noble Lord will know, we are publishing a White Paper and setting out our strategy to unleash the potential of our regions. This will look at further devolution across England and levelling up powers, and will also include liaising and engaging with local businesses and getting their buy-in to what we plan to do.

Lord Flight Portrait Lord Flight (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, are the Government aware that SMEs in the north of England are already doing better than those in the south? Exports are up something like 50% on average over the last two years; a whole lot of incredibly good statistics have been confirmed by the Office for National Statistics. So we are on the right track already.

Viscount Younger of Leckie Portrait Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Hansard - -

Yes, and, indeed, many SMEs have started up after the changes in some of the big industrial companies. The LEPs have also played their part; that informs investment decisions and drives economic growth. As I say, the White Paper will explore how we can align future local growth with further devolution and the institutional reforms entailed.