Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Stevenson and George Freeman

Tuesday 29th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

Even better than that, I can make sure that the energy Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), meets the hon. Gentleman. We are aware of this problem and we are actively working on it.

[John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con)]

12. What recent assessment he has made of the efficiency and effectiveness of his Department’s capital spending.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (George Freeman)]

As the Department for science, research and innovation, with the historic uplift in public R&D announced in the comprehensive spending review 2021 and the autumn statement 2022, and the Department for net zero, BEIS secured the highest increase in capital budgets at the last spending review, growing at 8.3% per annum over the spending review period.

[John Stevenson]

As we know, capital expenditure spent effectively drives economic growth. To this end, would the Minister agree that capital projects such as those in my constituency that will clearly help economic growth and can start in the next 12 months will be prioritised, and that additional support will be given where they have shortfalls due to rising costs?

[George Freeman]

My hon. Friend has put his powerful point on record. I can assure him that the Department is actively working with the Treasury to make sure that those sorts of schemes are accelerated.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Stevenson and George Freeman

Tuesday 5th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

This is the most extraordinary welcome for one of the most important announcements in the autumn statement. Having come under pressure to raise more money for social care, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State announced £3.5 billion extra for social care, from the new adult social care precept and the better care fund. The Opposition say that it is not enough and that it will fail, but the data do not support that. If we look at the early data from the better care fund, which was introduced by this Government early last year, we see 85,000 fewer delayed transfers, 12,500 more older people at home within three months of discharge and 3,000 people supported to live independently. We are making real progress.

[John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con)]

6. What progress his Department has made on improving the performance of hospital trusts in special measures.