Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Pat Glass Excerpts
Thursday 8th November 2012

(12 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Williamson Portrait Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab)
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13. What assessment he has made of the latest construction output figures; and if he will make a statement.

Pat Glass Portrait Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)
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15. What assessment he has made of the latest construction output figures; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Fallon Portrait The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon)
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The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that construction output fell by 2.5% in the last quarter, but overall gross domestic product increased by 1%.

Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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There are various surveys; another construction survey shows that output increased in October. In September, we announced a housing and planning package that will deliver up to 70,000 new homes and 140,000 jobs, with a £40 billion guarantee for infrastructure projects and £10 billion for new homes. We have also introduced the Growth and Infrastructure Bill to speed up the planning system and unlock new investment in housing and infrastructure. I am surprised the hon. Gentleman voted against it on Monday night.

Pat Glass Portrait Pat Glass
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Given the importance that the Government placed on the national infrastructure plan just a year ago, why has the value of new construction orders for infrastructure fallen by more than 40% in the first two quarters of this year?