Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Guto Bebb and Karen Lumley

Wednesday 13th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of steps taken to rebalance the economy in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Guto Bebb)]

This Government are taking unprecedented steps to ensure greater and fairer prosperity right across the UK, and the UK Government’s cities and local growth agenda is revolutionising the way in which we achieve this. The signing of the Cardiff capital region city deal, alongside ongoing negotiations in Swansea and early discussions for a north Wales growth deal, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to rebalancing the economy in Wales.

[Karen Lumley]

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in my old home area of north Wales, good transport links are vital to rebalancing the economy? What plans does he have to achieve that in order to attract more investment?

[Guto Bebb]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the importance of transport links for economic growth in north Wales. Last Thursday, I was at a summit in north Wales with the Welsh Government economic Minister and local government leaders. We discussed a proposal for improving rail and road links in north Wales as part of the north Wales growth deal.