Oral Answers to Questions

Jonathan Gullis Excerpts

Monday 27th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Dehenna Davison]

I would encourage the hon. Member to visit the Barnsley Futures project—I actually had the pleasure of visiting those involved a few months ago—and tell me that they are not grateful.

[Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con)]

Stoke-on-Trent was delighted to receive a UK-leading £56 million from the levelling-up fund, righting the wrongs of 70 years of Labour neglect and failure, when instead it has spent £60 million on brand-new council offices. Having already seen Tunstall’s £3.5 million for the old library and baths, will my hon. Friend allow Stoke-on-Trent another bid for the great mother town of Burslem so that we can invest in our indoor market, the Queen’s theatre and the Wedgwood Institute?

[Dehenna Davison]

My hon. Friend is never quiet in his forthright campaigning for Stoke-on-Trent. He is a fantastic champion, and of course I will work with him to ensure that any additional funding opportunities are there for Stoke. He has had a fantastic record so far on attracting Government investment, but of course we want to do more.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Gove]

We not only consider, but meet regularly with our colleagues across the devolved Administrations. Last year, we had over 270 intergovernmental ministerial meetings, bringing together colleagues. Of course, from time to time, given our respective positions, we may disagree, but there have been a number of significant successes where we have agreed, not least the delivery of two green freeports in Scotland—an example of both Governments working together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.

[Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con)]

T3.   I applaud the announcement today by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State on cracking down on the tiny minority of scumbags and scrotes who fly-tip, deal drugs and commit antisocial behaviour. In Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke, we have launched a campaign for safer streets, with 400 constituents signing so far for new alley gates and CCTV in places like Smallthorne, Cobridge and Tunstall. Will the Secretary of State add his support to the campaign and meet Staffordshire police and crime commissioner Ben Adams to see how we can get that funding to our local area?

[Michael Gove]

I absolutely will and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the work he has done to ensure that our antisocial behaviour action plan hits criminals where it hurts. I should add that apparently the Leader of the Opposition was in Stoke-on-Trent North the other week. He gave a speech on crime, taking over 30 minutes, without any new policies. He should be arrested for wasting police time!