Oral Answers to Questions

James Morris Excerpts

Monday 30th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

As the hon. Lady knows, the Government are doing a significant amount to change the culture across the country and make sure that we do far more in relation to prevention. Through the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, we are confident that we are going to see significant progress. As I said at the start of this group of questions, we are putting £950 million into this up to 2020.

[James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con)]

5. What discussions he has had with newly elected mayors on delivering economic growth.

[Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con)]

8. What discussions he has had with newly elected mayors on delivering economic growth.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Jake Berry)]

I have met or corresponded with every metro Mayor in England during the last month. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is the midlands engine champion, and he chairs an inter-ministerial group to drive forward its growth.

[James Morris]

Does the Minister agree that one of the vital roles to be played by elected Mayors, such as Andy Street in the west midlands, is to focus on skills—particularly in areas such as the Black country, where we have a lot of young people without basic skills—to make sure that young people can take the opportunities and the jobs that are out there and drive economic growth?

[Jake Berry]

As my hon. Friend is aware, Andy Street is already playing a vital role in tackling the skills gap. My hon. Friend will also be aware that we are devolving the adult education skills budget from 2019 to support all our metro Mayors as they drive forward skills in their area.