Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Tuesday 17th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

18. What fiscal steps his Department is taking to encourage regional growth across the UK.

[Julie Marson (Hertford and Stortford) (Con)]

24. What steps his Department is taking to encourage levelling up across the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Andrew Bridgen]

In recent years, the west midlands has economically outperformed the east midlands—apart from, of course, my constituency of North West Leicestershire. To what extent does my right hon. Friend believe that is due to the west midlands benefiting from its mayoralty structure? What help can the Treasury give to the east midlands to ensure that we level up with our neighbour?

[Mr Clarke]

I pay great tribute to the work that Andy Street has done as Mayor of the West Midlands to drive economic outperformance. I am a convinced believer in the merits of mayoral devolution, which is the best way of ensuring that levelling up is delivered at the fastest possible pace on the ground. I look forward to looking at proposals from the east midlands to ensure that we can unlock as much opportunity there as possible.