Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and Gary Streeter

Wednesday 19th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to move civil service jobs out of London as part of the Government’s industrial strategy.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

We are committed to supporting economic growth across the United Kingdom. We have established the Places for Growth programme to relocate civil service roles to the regions and nations. That creates a presumption that newly created public bodies will be located outside London.

[Mr Streeter]

I thank the Minister for his answer. Can I invite him or the Secretary of State to come to Plymouth with me early in 2019 to see for themselves how digital connectivity has transformed our city? It is not just a great place to live, as it has always been, but now a great place to work and run a business. Would it not be very good for the Government to have a Government hub there?

[Oliver Dowden]

I know, thanks to my hon. Friend and other hon. Members, that Plymouth is a great place to work and do business. A number of potential hub locations are under active consideration. I would of course be delighted to meet a delegation from Plymouth, and I know that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster intends to visit Plymouth shortly.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and Gary Streeter

Wednesday 28th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Dowden]

I know the hon. Lady’s commitment to this cause. As a result of the changes made under this Government, we allow contracts to take into account factors such as the local sourcing of food, as long as it is provided to all businesses.

[Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Streeter]

We live in a London-centric country. Can my right hon. Friend update the House on what he is doing to ensure that Government Departments are relocated to other parts of the United Kingdom, including, of course, the great south-west?

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

This Government are committed to locating economic activity outside London and the south-east. Since 2016, 12 new public bodies have been located outside London, and indeed in the south-west to which my hon. Friend refers. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has set up a regional centre in Bristol, which employs 1,600 people.