Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Daniel Kawczynski Excerpts
Wednesday 31st January 2018

(6 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Daniel Kawczynski Portrait Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con)
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2. What steps he is taking to support cross-border economic opportunities.

David Amess Portrait Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con)
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9. What steps he is taking to support cross-border economic opportunities.

Alun Cairns Portrait The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns)
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Last week, I hosted the first cross-border Severn growth summit in Newport. More than 350 people attended the event, all looking to strengthen the economic links between south Wales and the south-west. Through our industrial strategy, we want to build on this cross-border collaboration and help create prosperous communities throughout the whole of Wales.

Daniel Kawczynski Portrait Daniel Kawczynski
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Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, relies very heavily on trade with our friends and neighbours across the border in Wales. What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with his counterparts in the Welsh Assembly about dualling the A5, which crosses the border between England and Wales? Will he join me in paying tribute to my neighbour, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), who has campaigned assiduously, but who has been very badly injured in a riding accident and is recuperating at home?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We wish the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson) a full and speedy recovery, but the fullness of the recovery is more important than its speed.

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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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If the hon. Lady would like to provide a bit more detail than she has had the time to set out today, I will ensure that a Minister sees her about this.

Daniel Kawczynski Portrait Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con)
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Next Wednesday we will be assessing and voting on the local government finance settlement. A group of us from the shire counties are very concerned that there is not enough money for rural counties like ours, where adult social care costs are spiralling out of control. My own county is facing a black hole of £10 million because of adult social care costs. What message should I take back to the leader of my council?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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One message is that the Government have made an extra £2 billion of funding available to local authorities for social care. Obviously, local authorities are currently deciding whether to use the more flexible precepting powers they have in respect of social care. My hon. Friend met my right hon. Friend the Communities Secretary a few days ago, and I would encourage him to continue talking to the Communities Secretary and other Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about the particular circumstances in Shropshire.