Oral Answers to Questions

Jason McCartney Excerpts

Tuesday 28th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We do need to speed up in terms both of questions and of answers.

[Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to support economic growth in Yorkshire.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Philip Hammond)]

The Government will drive productivity and economic growth in Yorkshire by investing in its infrastructure, developing the skills of its people and supporting its companies. At autumn statement we announced that the four local enterprise partnerships covering Yorkshire will receive £156.1 million from the local growth fund to back local priorities and support new jobs, as well as £3.7 million extra investment to bolster its resilience to flooding.

[Jason McCartney]

Will the Chancellor join me in welcoming recent investments by the likes of Boeing and McLaren in Yorkshire? Will Yorkshire continue to receive investment through the northern powerhouse investment fund, which is backed by the British Business Bank?

[Mr Hammond]

Yes. I welcome those investments by large companies, which will bring a large number of jobs to the area. It is also important that we support small and medium-sized enterprises, and the northern powerhouse investment fund will have a specific remit to target and support smaller businesses across the north.