Oral Answers to Questions

Jake Berry Excerpts
Monday 16th October 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Sir Jake Berry.

Jake Berry Portrait Sir Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)
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Thank you, Mr Speaker—[Interruption.]

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Will the hon. Member for Stone (Sir William Cash) sit down, please?

Jake Berry Portrait Sir Jake Berry
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I congratulate my hon. Friend the Minister on his new post. May I remind him of the huge opportunity and pent-up potential in former industrial mill towns such as those in my constituency? One of the most gratifying things about the Government’s levelling-up programme has been how it has seen the potential in towns such as Rossendale, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Darwen and supported that with real money, with £120 million of town deal money for Darwen and £17.8 million for Rossendale. Does he think that this is the right Government to drive forward the ambition of people who live in mill towns?

Jacob Young Portrait Jacob Young
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I completely agree with my right hon. Friend. This morning, I met the leaders of Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool, and they all agree with me that a devolution agreement in Lancashire will be fantastic. I am sure that you agree as well, Mr Speaker.