Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support economic growth in (a) Gloucester and (b) the South West.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This Government recognises the importance that Gloucester plays as part of the UK’s economy, alongside the significant contribution that the South West makes on the national and international stage. HMT is committed to supporting the national agenda for growth, working with regional stakeholders to deliver investment and programmes which will drive forwards solutions that positively impact businesses and residents across the South West.

Through the recent Budget announcement, HMT reaffirmed its commitment to Levelling Up Round 3, with £11,000,000 dedicated to the Greyfriars regeneration project in the City Centre. In addition to this, in October 2024 Gloucester City Council was awarded £688,484 under the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 (BLRF2) to use the money to turn surplus land into new homes. Gloucester City Council has also benefited from £1,486,352 Shared Prosperity Fund, with local autonomy to direct funding to projects which best support economic growth in the area. Allocations to areas for the period 25/26 are expected to be released in December 2024.

The Government is currently undertaking a consultation with stakeholders to help shape the national Industrial Strategy and in parallel with this, officers from Cities and Local Growth Unit will be engaging with partners and businesses across the South West to understand how HMG investment can be best shaped to support economic growth in the region. The upcoming Spending Review in 2025 will further develop potential future funding streams for Gloucester and the wider South West.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve access to Post Office services in (a) Gloucester and (b) the South West.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Government remains committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Post Office network, and as stated in our manifesto, Government will work to strengthen the network in the South West and across the country in consultation with postmasters, trade unions and customers.

Government already provides an annual £50m Network Subsidy funding to support the delivery of a minimum number of branches and a geographical spread of branches in line with published access criteria. This requires 99% of the UK population to be within three miles of their nearest Post Office outlet therefore ensuring the viability of rural and community branches. The Government-set Access Criteria ensures that however the network changes, services remain within local reach of all citizens.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support business investment in (a) Gloucester constituency and (b) the South West.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) promotes and supports investment opportunities across all of the UK. In Gloucester, DBT has a strong relationship with the County Council and proactively promotes the counties sector strengths, particularly in areas such as Technology and Cyber Security, AgriTech and Advanced Manufacturing. This includes highlighting key developments like The Forum in Gloucester City Centre.

DBT recognises the strength of opportunity across the South West region for investors, both in the sectors listed above but also in Floating Offshore Wind, Critical Minerals, Nuclear, Quantum and AI. In addition, Tata’s announcement earlier this year to build a gigafactory in Somerset is expected to create further opportunities for inward investors in the region.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve road safety for cyclists in Gloucester.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government takes road safety very seriously and reducing those killed and injured on our roads is a key priority.  The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. The Hierarchy of Road Users was introduced, which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy.

Since 2020-21, Gloucestershire County Council has been awarded over £23 million through the Active Travel Fund. This funding can be used by the authority for new segregated cycling facilities, improved junctions and upgrades to existing routes to improve safety. Over £1 million has been awarded to upgrade the National Cycle Network in Gloucestershire.

Earlier this year, Gloucestershire was allocated £462,000 to build capability and enable more people to walk and cycle safely under the Capability Fund. Additionally, 4,977 cycle training places were funded in 2023-24 as part of £224,000 of Bikeability funding.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help increase levels of innovation in Gloucester.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

UK Research and Innovation invested £260 million in the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bath/Bristol area in 2021-22.

There are two active projects based in Gloucester, with a combined value of £218,000. This includes a £122,000 Horizon Europe Guarantee award, delivered by UKRI, to the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, supporting research to enable rural communities’ actors and policy makers to design better strategies, initiatives and policies fostering sustainability transitions of rural areas. Also, £96,000 awarded to Hill Court Farm Research to provide farmers with a framework for improving nitrogen efficiency.

Found: the Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill , a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Alex McIntyre

Found: ● These Explanatory Notes have been prepared by the Home Office with the consent of Alex McIntyre

Found: ● These Explanatory Notes have been prepared by the Home Office with the consent of Alex McIntyre

Found: TORY NOTES Explanatory notes to the Bill, prepared by the Home Office with the consent of Alex McIntyre

Found: TORY NOTES Explanatory notes to the Bill, prepared by the Home Office with the consent of Alex McIntyre