Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Morgan Excerpts

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Helen Morgan (North Shropshire) (LD)]

5. What fiscal steps she is taking to help increase levels of economic growth in rural areas.

[Dr Allison Gardner (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab)]

6. What steps she is taking to help increase economic growth in Stoke-on-Trent.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)]

The Government are better targeting these reliefs to make them fairer. The latest figures for 2021-22 show that the top 7% of claims are counted for 40% of the total value of agricultural property relief.

[Helen Morgan]

The Chancellor will know that one of the biggest factors holding back the rural economy is poor public transport. When I visited the jobcentre in Oswestry last year, I was told that one of the biggest impediments to people finding a job is that they cannot get away from where they live because of poor public transport. Can she update me on the discussions that she has had with her colleagues in the Department for Transport over reinstating projects such as the Oswestry to Gobowen railway line and step-free access at Whitchurch railway station?

[Rachel Reeves]

At the Budget, we introduced sustainable transport settlements, with £650 million of funding for local transport, and confirmed an extension of the UK shared prosperity fund, providing £900 million to local authorities to invest in local growth. We also announced money in the Budget for some trailblazer projects to help those furthest from the labour market back into work. On the specific issues around transport in her constituency, I am very happy to set up a meeting for her with the relevant Minister.