Economic Growth

Debate between Adnan Hussain and Emma Reynolds

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

I would disagree, because the mayoral strategic authorities are about local authorities coming together in a combined authority and working together across the borders of the west midlands—an area I know extremely well. This is about driving growth and driving good decisions across the region.

[Mr Adnan Hussain (Blackburn) (Ind)]

The Chief Secretary has promised good growth in every postcode. Blackburn has the talent, the institutions and the major employers—such as EG On the Move—that are willing to invest in local people, but we need Government investment to match that ambition. Will the Chief Secretary make Blackburn a test case for this plan and back an employer-led jobs and skills partnership to create good local jobs?

[Emma Reynolds]

We are working in close partnership with business, and the hon. Gentleman is right to say that we have to unleash talent and business investment in his own constituency and elsewhere, but as I said to the Chair of the Treasury Committee, the way that the public financial institutions work is by independently assessing the potential of firms and then backing them. That is what the Chancellor was talking about today. We set the strategic priorities and those independent economic organisations assess projects for their potential.

Water White Paper

Debate between Adnan Hussain and Emma Reynolds

Wednesday 21st January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

I am always very happy to visit my hon. Friend. I know that the Nature Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry East (Mary Creagh), visited last year.

My hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Steve Race) is absolutely right that we have to strengthen the system. We will strengthen the regional planning system and we are doubling the funding for catchment partnerships. We have to bear down on all sources of water pollution because, as he said, we have to protect our beloved rivers—the one in his constituency and many across the country—that saw record levels of pollution under the previous Government.

[Mr Adnan Hussain (Blackburn) (Ind)]

The White Paper does not go far enough. It leaves water in private hands while prices rise, pipes rot, rivers are polluted and shareholders profit. Why should my constituents have to pay for the consequences of private mismanagement? Does the Secretary of State accept what many across this Chamber have already said: that the only meaningful change or reform is to bring water back into public ownership?

[Emma Reynolds]

I understand the frustration that the hon. Gentleman expresses. Like him, I am really frustrated with the levels of pollution in our waterways, and with some of the poor consumer service we see. I do not think the right answer is to embark on a hugely expensive and legally complicated nationalisation, because it would detract from the good work we are doing to get a grip on regulation and to set up a new regulator. He may think it is the right answer, but where would the money come from? Does he want less spending on schools and hospitals as a result?