Oral Answers to Questions

Jas Athwal Excerpts

Tuesday 20th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Patrick Hurley (Southport) (Lab)]

10. What steps she is taking through the spending review to help increase levels of economic growth.

[Jas Athwal (Ilford South) (Lab)]

11. What steps she is taking through the spending review to help increase levels of economic growth.

[Gill German (Clwyd North) (Lab)]

14. What steps she is taking through the spending review to help increase levels of economic growth.

--- Later in debate ---

[Rachel Reeves]

I absolutely agree, and that is why we have reversed the Conservatives’ decisions to cut capital spending. Instead, we are preserving that capital investment, which means spending £113 billion more on road, rail, energy, homes and digital infrastructure than would have been spent in the plans we inherited. We are also spending on day-to-day things, such as making sure that we have police on our streets, and working with our mayors, including Mayor Steve Rotheram, to ensure we get investment into the places that most need it.

[Jas Athwal]

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. In Ilford South we have many small businesses, ranging from restaurants like Delhi O Delhi, Mr Bunns Bakery, tea shops like Mi Chaii to local shops like the Chopra convenience stores. They make Ilford an amazing place to eat, shop and do business. Will the Chancellor join me in commending the local businesses that make the high street the beating heart of Ilford South, and will she lay out what steps she is taking to support these entrepreneurs?