Exiting the European Union

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts

Monday 5th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State, whom I welcome to his post, reaffirmed in his statement the Chancellor’s promise that all structural investment fund projects signed before the autumn statement would be underwritten by the Treasury as we leave. That is a bit of a quandary for the people of Greater Manchester. We have been allocated to 2020 £322 million in European structural investment funds, but £157.9 million of that has not yet been contracted. It is currently held up in Whitehall Departments, predominantly the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions. Can the right hon. Gentleman ensure that the people of Greater Manchester get all the £322 million allocated to them by the European Union—and not the lesser amount that has already been approved by the Government?

[Mr Davis]

I will draw the hon. Gentleman’s request to the attention of the Chancellor.