Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Green Excerpts
Wednesday 11th September 2024

(2 days, 5 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Sarah Green Portrait Sarah Green (Chesham and Amersham) (LD)
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I welcome the Front Benchers to their places. They will know that the steel industry in Wales is just one of a number that have suffered in recent decades. Last year, the Industrial Communities Alliance said that tackling the effects of deindustrialisation in Wales has been hampered by competitive bidding, which forces local authorities in deprived areas to bid against each other, preventing partnership working and a more strategic approach. Will the Secretary of State confirm whether future rounds of the UK shared prosperity fund allocated to Wales will no longer be subject to competitive bidding?

Jo Stevens Portrait Jo Stevens
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This Government were elected on a manifesto that stressed a partnership approach with local authorities and an intention to stabilise the funding system, moving away from wasteful competition. Those are the principles we will seek to apply as we think about the future of local growth funding. As with all Government decisions regarding funding beyond March 2025, it is ultimately a matter for the spending review.