Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts

Tuesday 7th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked the Low Pay Commission precisely the question about the merits and the economic knock-on effects of increasing the minimum wage by a higher rate than in the past. That is what the Low Pay Commission is about and why we have asked that question. We have asked that question; it was not asked by the Labour Government.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

6. What recent discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the role of decentralisation in the implementation of the Heseltine review.

[Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con)]

7. What progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the Heseltine review.

[The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark)]

The Government published its response to Lord Heseltine’s report in March 2013. We accepted its proposition that more funding and powers, currently held centrally, should be available at local level. Some £2 billion a year has been taken from central Government Departments and is available for that purpose. I look forward to assessing proposals during the weeks ahead.

[John Howell]

Decentralisation, as outlined by my noble predecessor’s review, can help to promote private sector business. In this context, what progress is my right hon. Friend making with the Oxfordshire growth deal?

[Greg Clark]

I am delighted to say that there has been very good progress. A city deal for the city of Oxford and the surrounding area is being negotiated and we hope to complete it shortly. I will meet the representatives of Oxfordshire to go further than that by devolving more power and resources to the county to further private sector growth.