Middle East: Economic Response

Debate between Lola McEvoy and Rachel Reeves

Thursday 21st May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

It is important that all the policies that we have set out are fully costed and fully funded, and the change that we have made to the foreign branch exemption will fund today’s package of measures. The reduction in inflation due to the measures I set out in my Budget last year, and the strong growth that we have seen—the fastest in the G7 in the first quarter of this year—make the package affordable and sustainable. That is why we are able to set out this support today.

[Lola McEvoy (Darlington) (Lab)]

I wholeheartedly welcome the Chancellor’s intervention at a time when the cost of living is increasingly putting pressure on working families in Darlington. This is a proper Labour intervention from a proper Labour Chancellor, and representation matters in this House. As I look around the Chamber, I can see Stoke and the ceramics industry supported. I can see Redcar, Middlesbrough and Stockton represented, and their industries supported. Not only has this Labour Chancellor intervened to make sure that families in my constituency can have a much better summer, but their jobs will be secure for much longer, so I thank her.

[Rachel Reeves]

This package was not just designed by me; it was designed by hon. and right hon. Members of this House who have made representations to me about the cost of living, but also about the specific business needs and business challenges in their constituencies. Although I am proud to be the Chancellor who has delivered today’s package, I pay tribute to all Members who have contributed to it.

Spending Review 2025

Debate between Lola McEvoy and Rachel Reeves

Wednesday 11th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

It is difficult to understand exactly what the Conservative critique of this spending review is. The shadow Chancellor says that we should spend less, but the hon. Gentleman has just asked us to spend more. If hon. Members on either side of the House want to spend more, they need to say where the money would come from. I am not sure that he has an answer to that.

[Lola McEvoy (Darlington) (Lab)]

I welcome the Chancellor’s statement and her steely determination to ensure that everyone in Darlington is better off. I particularly welcome the capital infrastructure projects, which are essential not only for sovereign security but for regional growth. Does she agree that these projects will be transformational for engineering and fabricating SMEs in my constituency, many of which were set up and are staffed by incredibly highly skilled people who found themselves out of a job when the last Government turned their backs on British foundation industries?

[Rachel Reeves]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: what this spending review does, through its investment in infrastructure, is create jobs in our supply chains for small businesses in communities right across our country. The investment in some of our foundational industries, such as steel, offers real opportunities for good, unionised jobs that pay decent wages, and I am really proud to be able to set out that investment and the jobs that young people in Darlington and around the country will be able to access because of the choices we have made today.