Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Christian Matheson Excerpts
Wednesday 18th July 2018

(6 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stuart Andrew Portrait Stuart Andrew
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It is important to recognise that universal credit is a transformational benefits system that is working to get people back into work. The recent employment figures, showing that employment in Wales is up by 5,000, are a significant step, but the issues that the hon. Gentleman raises are exactly why we have been careful. We have made significant changes as we have carefully rolled out the project.

Christian Matheson Portrait Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)
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13. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on upgrades to transport infrastructure in north Wales.

Stuart Andrew Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stuart Andrew)
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The Secretary of State and I hold regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the Welsh Government on Wales and road infrastructure, and we recognise the benefit to communities on both sides of the border.

Christian Matheson Portrait Christian Matheson
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The M56 is the main arterial route not just through Cheshire but into north Wales. What discussions has the Minister had about upgrading the M56 as part of the next road investment strategy for Highways England?

Stuart Andrew Portrait Stuart Andrew
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight the importance of the M56 and the whole of the cross-border connectivity routes, because the amount of people who live in Wales but work in England is significant. That is why the Secretary of State recently met the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Hereford and South Herefordshire (Jesse Norman), to discuss these issues—[Interruption.]