Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Rob Marris Excerpts
Tuesday 2nd February 2016

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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My hon. Friend talks about venture capital and the importance of attracting more and more investment across the nation, and of course in the midlands, too. I am sure he would be interested to know that over the last four years, the gross value added of the midlands region has increased by 15% or £27 billion, while the number of jobs has increased by almost 300,000.

Rob Marris Portrait Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West) (Lab)
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The hon. Member for Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) asked about the creation of a midlands engine. I can assure the Minister that thousands of such engines are being built by Jaguar Land Rover in Wolverhampton, just outside my constituency.

The apprenticeship levy is very welcome, although there are still some kinks to be ironed out. Will the Secretary of State say a little more about how the Government will encourage the establishment of proper apprenticeships in the manufacturing industry?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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In the west midlands!