Oral Answers to Questions

Dehenna Davison Excerpts

Monday 17th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on the potential merits of a mayoral devolution deal for the east midlands.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Dehenna Davison)]

It is a pleasure to take my place at the Dispatch Box for the first time.

Our recent devolution agreement with Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will see a directly elected leader take decisions on transport, skills and housing in the region, as well as a new 30-year investment fund totalling more than £1 billion. On the levelling-up White Paper, we also named Leicestershire as one of the places invited to negotiate a county deal. We remain committed to continuing discussions with Leicestershire and the remaining White Paper areas, because we want to see them benefit from the brilliant opportunities that devolution provides.

[Andrew Bridgen]

I thank the Minister for that answer, but it has been apparent that since the west midlands has had a Mayor, it has economically outperformed the east midlands. Due to the Labour Mayor of Leicester’s veto, Leicestershire and Rutland cannot join Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in an east midlands devolution deal. Will the Minister look again at how we can overcome Sir Peter Soulsby’s unreasonable objections and unleash the true economic potential of the whole east midlands?

[Dehenna Davison]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for his passion for delivering devolution in his local area. It is a shame when some local stakeholders do not back this project to deliver all its incredible opportunities. I will certainly work with my hon. Friend and local stakeholders to see what we can do to make that happen.

[Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

9. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on establishing a freeport in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Dehenna Davison)]

We reached an agreement with the Welsh Government earlier this year to collaborate on and deliver a new freeport in Wales, and this has received Cabinet agreement. We launched the bidding prospectus on 1 September, the closing date is 24 November, and we expect to announce the successful locations in spring next year.

[Stephen Crabb]

I thank my hon. Friend for her answer and welcome her to her position.

Floating offshore wind represents a major new industrial opportunity across the whole of the UK, but especially for us in Wales. Does my hon. Friend agree that an innovative and collaborative freeport bid, along the lines of what Port Talbot and the port of Milford Haven are currently putting together, would help to unlock the full economic value and benefits of floating offshore wind for the whole of the south and west Wales region?

[Dehenna Davison]

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and for his passion and commitment to delivering a freeport. I know that he is a great champion for the Milford Haven bid in particular, and I look forward to sitting down with him to discuss it. The freeports programme has great potential to contribute towards achieving the Welsh and UK Governments’ decarbonisation agenda and net zero ambitions. We look forward to receiving strong bids from across Wales that demonstrate how they will meet the Government’s shared goals, as articulated in the bidding prospectus.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

The Minister may not know, but I used to be a Swansea politician—I was a councillor. Is it not about time we introduced the Swansea barrage scheme, which would make a great difference to alternative energy for Wales?

[Dehenna Davison]

I thank the hon. Member for his question. As he is a champion for Swansea as well as Huddersfield, I would certainly be happy to sit down with him and discuss this further.

[Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (Ind)]

10. What recent assessment he has made of the impact of the cost of living crisis on the levelling-up agenda.

[Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP)]

24. What recent assessment he has made of the impact of the rising cost of living on the levelling-up agenda.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Dehenna Davison)]

The rising cost of living is being felt by people right across the UK, but particularly those in some of the least affluent areas, where particularly high inflation combines with low wage growth. That makes levelling up even more important. While providing immediate relief through the energy support package, the Government are also determined to help places build long-term economic resilience and growth, because we know that local growth means better opportunities and a better life for local people.

[Patrick Grady]

But the point is, as all of us have said, that spiralling inflation is devaluing the funds available for infrastructure and levelling-up projects, and labour and supply chain shortages will also cause inevitable delays. Are the Government willing to admit that Brexit lies at the root of all this? The Government’s plans are not levelling up; they are falling apart.

[Dehenna Davison]

Brexit is the thing that has allowed us to set up the shared prosperity fund, so that we can deliver local benefits not just in England but right across the UK, including in Scotland. On the point about inflation, we are working with local authorities to see specifically how we can support them in ensuring that their projects are delivered.

[Stuart C. McDonald]

As the Minister has acknowledged, the places most in need of levelling up are those suffering most from this Tory cost of living crisis, yet it was the Levelling Up Secretary who was cheerleader-in-chief for a mini-Budget that prioritised the welfare of the south-east over everyone and everywhere else. The Secretary of State is now talking about there being “fat to trim”. How much of that fat will have to be found in levelling-up budgets?

[Dehenna Davison]

I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman mentions the mini-Budget, because he will know that one of the most incredible measures in it is investment zones, which our Department is committed to delivering to bring about local opportunity, local jobs and local investment to benefit local people, including in Scotland.

[Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of investment zones for local (a) residents and (b) businesses.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mark Eastwood (Dewsbury) (Con)]

T2. It has been an exception year for Mirfield in Bloom, winning regional and national Britain in Bloom awards as well as being presented with the Queen’s award for voluntary service. Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating Britain in Bloom community champion Christine Sykes, Ruth Edwards and the Mirfield in Bloom team on receiving recognition for their amazing work and does she agree that Britain in Bloom competitions are vital in transforming the visual appearance of our towns?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Dehenna Davison)]

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing the issue to the attention of the House. I join him in congratulating Christine, Ruth and the Mirfield in Bloom team. The Britain in Bloom competition is a fantastic way to bring communities together.

[Mr Speaker]

We now come to the shadow Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy.

--- Later in debate ---

[Ian Levy (Blyth Valley) (Con)]

T5. As Blyth Valley is now at the heart of the renewable energy sector, I have the pleasure of informing the House that work is about to start on an £11 million STEM training centre at the Port of Blyth, which will give young people the skills and education that they need to move forward in the world of work. Does my hon. Friend agree that that has been achieved by having a Conservative Government, a Conservative-led county council and a local Conservative Member of Parliament?

[Dehenna Davison]

My hon. Friend is an incredibly passionate campaigner for Blyth. I am glad to hear that construction will soon begin on that indispensable part of its £20.9-million town deal. I understand that the Energy Central learning hub will provide a range of state-of-the-art industrial training, which all shows the positive difference a Conservative Government, a Conservative council and a Conservative MP working together can make for Blyth residents.

[Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab)]

T7. In Liverpool, 12% of all homelessness applications are a result of domestic abuse. Our self-contained apartments for women and children are constantly at capacity, and plans to double their number are expected to barely touch the sides. What measures will the Minister take to protect survivors of domestic abuse from becoming homeless?