Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Darren Jones and Damien Egan

Tuesday 29th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Damien Egan (Bristol North East) (Lab)]

T3. I would like to ask a question that comes out of local government. One of the frustrations that I found after 14 years in local government was that short-term cuts can often end up costing more in the long run—an example that always comes to mind is youth services. What does the Chancellor make of the Local Government Association’s call for spending on prevention to be routinely considered in both Treasury and departmental spending decisions, and for better tracking of long-term outcomes?

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)]

My hon. Friend is right to point out the opportunities for improvement. As the Chancellor set out in her July statement, prevention will be at the heart of this Government’s new approach to public service reform. That will be set out in the spending review in the coming months.