Oral Answers to Questions

Holly Mumby-Croft Excerpts

Monday 25th October 2021 Commons Chamber

[Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con)]

11. What steps his Department is taking to support regeneration in towns and cities.

[Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) (Con)]

15. What steps his Department is taking to support regeneration in towns and cities.

[Darren Henry (Broxtowe) (Con)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to support regeneration in towns and cities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Kemi Badenoch]

I recognise that hon. Members from Stoke-on-Trent are very keen and have thrown their full support behind the levelling-up bids that have been submitted. The bids are being assessed in line with the published assessment process. The outcomes of the first round will be announced this autumn, as we have said, but I cannot comment specifically on his bid.

[Holly Mumby-Croft]

Does my hon. Friend agree that initiatives such as Conservative-run North Lincolnshire Council’s policy of two hours’ free parking are incredibly important for supporting our high streets and town centres? I extend an invitation to her: if she wishes to make use of one of those free parking spaces, we would be very glad to show her our ambitious levelling-up plans.

[Kemi Badenoch]

I agree with my hon. Friend: parking policies are important in supporting high streets to thrive. That is one of the reasons why, in the build back better high streets strategy, we announced a package of measures to make parking more accessible. I thank her for the strong support she has shown for North Lincolnshire’s levelling-up fund bids. She will know that we expect to announce the outcomes later.