Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Williamson Excerpts

Tuesday 6th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con)]

2. What fiscal steps he is taking to encourage job creation in the private sector.

[Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con)]

8. What fiscal steps he is taking to encourage job creation in the private sector.

--- Later in debate ---

[Danny Alexander]

Yes, I certainly will. [Interruption.] I know the Opposition do not like to hear this, but my hon. Friend is right to highlight the good performance of the British labour market and the facts that the private sector has created more than 1 million new jobs in the last two and half years and that there are more people in employment in this country than ever before.

[Gavin Williamson]

Under the Labour Government, we lost 65,000 private sector jobs in the west midlands. In stark contrast, since 2010 my constituency alone has already secured £400 million in investment. What more will my right hon. Friend do to secure private sector jobs in South Staffordshire and the west midlands?

[Danny Alexander]

My hon. Friend is right to say that the Labour party’s record on encouraging the private sector was at its most catastrophic in the west midlands, for which the figures he gave are absolutely correct. That is why another £124 million of funding for projects in the west midlands was announced in round three of the regional growth fund and why we are providing additional support for the automotive sector, which is so important in his constituency and region. Of course the improved climate for business, the removal of regulations and the funding for apprenticeships will benefit businesses in the west midlands, as well as in the rest of the country.