Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Martin Vickers Excerpts
Tuesday 16th June 2015

(9 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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I met local authority leaders from Coventry, Birmingham and the surrounding local authorities only a couple of weeks ago, and I made it clear that it is up to them to come together in a combination that suits them and reflects local identities, and that my door is open for any discussions they want to have.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
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Further to my right hon. Friend’s reply to our hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy), both my hon. Friend and I are big supporters of further devolution to northern Lincolnshire so that the economy can expand at an even faster rate. Can the Chancellor assure me that he will support any proposals that come forward from the leadership of our local authorities?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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I can absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance. Because of his campaigning, and that of our hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy), we have made sure that northern Lincolnshire is part of the northern powerhouse concept and that it is not left behind or neglected, as it was under the Labour Government.