Wednesday 2nd February 2022

(2 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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Yes. I talked to the First Minister about it last night.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
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My right hon. Friend will be aware that, despite the regeneration programmes in London over the past 30 years, the deprived wards in London are the same ones as they were 30 years ago. Will he assure the House that this will not be used as a reason to deprive London of money, despite the inaction of the do-nothing Mayor at the moment, but that it will be new investment in the north, midlands and across the UK?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right; levelling up is not about dampening down the success of London or overlooking the needs of disadvantaged communities in London. It is striking that when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was Mayor of London the gaps in life expectancy and health outcomes between the wealthiest and the poorest parts of London narrowed. He was a one nation Mayor and he is a one nation Prime Minister.