Oral Answers to Questions

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Tuesday 9th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

The best protection for the UK is to stick to the economic plan that is creating jobs and growth up and down this country. That is what the coalition has done and will continue to do. The OBR’s forecast, published last week, showed that it expects the UK, despite the difficulties to which the hon. Gentleman refers, to continue to have economic momentum over the next few years.

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

Rural communities are clearly not part of the city regions and possibly will not form part of the northern powerhouse. What assurances can the Chief Secretary give us that rural communities will benefit from the increased prosperity from the long-term economic plan?

[Danny Alexander]

My hon. Friend makes an important point, although I would say to her that rural communities are part of local enterprise partnership areas that benefit from the growth deals announced last year. The city deals and the devolution process we are engaged in benefit all parts of the UK. I highlight to her the investment this Government are making in transport and in broadband as particularly important in driving growth in rural communities.