Regional Growth Fund
Debate between Angela Smith and Eric OllerenshawWestminster Hall is an alternative Chamber for MPs to hold debates, named after the adjoining Westminster Hall.
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Eric Ollerenshaw
Let me move on.
I congratulate the Government on being among those who recognised that something needs to be done. Yes, the regional growth fund is not the biggest thing, and we want more to be done.
Eric Ollerenshaw
May I just continue a little further before I give way?
At the moment, however, we are learning as we are doing. I was here in May when some Members complained about the first round of bids. I suggested that it was following the old methods of the RDA in the north-west, and my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) has mentioned that, too. The areas prescribed were Greater Manchester and Merseyside—for obvious reasons, given European rules and all the rest of it; but there was a lack of actual support for good businesses in other areas, such as my own, which had the capacity to expand and take on more people. For example, Northern Tissue Group, with 150 employees—so it was not applying for the biggest grant—was denied a grant in the first round. I am pleased that in the second round it is still in discussions, and it looks as if it may well succeed.
Eric Ollerenshaw
I shall give way first to the hon. Lady, and then to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop).
Angela Smith
My constituency is Penistone and Stocksbridge, with an “s” in it. It is being misquoted all over the place.
Angela Smith
Is the hon. Gentleman really saying that the Government can do more for less—for two thirds less? Is he really saying that they can deliver more growth and rebalancing of the economy on a fund that is only one third of the original sum on the table?