Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 6th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[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.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 11th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

As the question that the hon. Lady is following up on concerns the personal allowance, let me limit my answer to that, Mr Speaker. Her constituents, in common with other Members’ constituents, are benefiting from the fact that the Government have introduced the most radical policy for many years by putting more money back into the pockets of hard-working families across the country. She would do well to accept that.

[Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con)]

15. What steps the Government have taken to reduce the cost of credit to the real economy.

Public Service Pensions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Danny Alexander

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

I think what the hon. Lady has said is total nonsense; that is not an appropriate characterisation of what we have done. I do not regret the way the talks have progressed for the past eight months, and I look forward to reaching agreement on this issue, with or without the support of the Opposition.

[Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend outline how he thinks the unions should respond to the proposals he has set out today? Does he agree with most Members on the Government Benches, who think the unions should respond by today calling off any planned industrial action?

Public Spending

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Danny Alexander

Thursday 17th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

According to my information, the programme represents poor value for money and is not delivering on the objectives set out for it, and our Work programme—which the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will be announcing—will give people a more effective, quicker and more direct route back into work by paying providers by results, and ensuring that people receive the support that they need.

[Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con)]

Has my right hon. Friend received one piece of slightly useful advice from Labour Members about how to sort out the mess that they created?

[Danny Alexander]

There was one—