Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

George Howarth Excerpts
Wednesday 22nd September 2021

(2 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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It is nice to welcome back Sir George Howarth.

George Howarth Portrait Sir George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab)
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May I thank you personally, Mr Speaker, for the kindness you showed during my recent illness?

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that town halls know better than Whitehall when it comes to levelling up? Will he pass on my suggestion to the Prime Minister that he host a cross-party summit in Downing Street with local government leaders and Mayors, to discuss how they can be empowered to unlock that potential?

Dominic Raab Portrait Dominic Raab
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Whatever our differences, it is fantastic to see the right hon. Gentleman back in the Chamber, contributing and holding the Government to account.

The agenda for levelling up must involve a team effort, with central Government, local authorities and the many metro Mayors across the country. I support the spirit of what the right hon. Gentleman said, and we will do everything we can to work with him.