Debates between Jon Trickett and Alun Cairns during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

Debate between Jon Trickett and Alun Cairns
Tuesday 7th February 2023

(1 year, 9 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Jon Trickett Portrait Jon Trickett
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rose—

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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I will give way in a moment.

That does not stack up credibly, because my seat, and others I can point to, would have been successful on those grounds, and that would also give rise to a judicial review. So it is obvious that these applications would have been scored according to the policy’s objectives, and officials would have dealt with them individually, rather than according to the party political motive that has been suggested.

The question I will pursue in my contribution is how we can learn the lessons from not having been successful in this round—like the schemes that were unsuccessful in round 1 but successful in round 2. My authority did not bid in round 1 and was unsuccessful in round 2, but it certainly plans to submit an amended scheme in round 3. I want to develop this argument a little further, but I will give way to the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Anne McLaughlin) , as she was very kind and generous in giving way to me.