Oral Answers to Questions

John Pugh Excerpts

Tuesday 4th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

As we heard earlier, the yield for 2013-14 was £24 billion. HMRC anticipates that that will be broken and that the yield will be higher for this financial year—the details are to come, but that is encouraging. On the tax gap, the small increase is largely due to the VAT tax gap being higher in 2012-13 than the previous year, but we already know that for 2013-14 it will fall.

[John Pugh (Southport) (LD)]

8. What recent steps he has taken to rebalance regional economies.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Priti Patel)]

This Government are committed to rebalancing the economy in order to strengthen every part of the UK. In July this year local growth deals were agreed with all 39 local enterprise partnerships across England. Each deal reflects the particular needs and capabilities of the local area. Growth deals are just one of several ongoing investment programmes aimed at helping every region in the United Kingdom achieve economic success.

[John Pugh]

May I explore the link with governance? What is the concrete evidence outside London of the slightest connection between economic growth and elected mayors?

[Priti Patel]

It is fair to say, as we have heard today, that devolving power to more local areas enables the regions to take responsibility for the decisions that affect their areas, which in the long run will create good, solid, strong local long-term economic plans.