Oral Answers to Questions

Scott Benton Excerpts

Wednesday 29th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

3. Whether he has made a recent assessment of public support for the Union in Scotland.

[Scott Benton (Blackpool South) (Con)]

9. What recent assessment he has made of the strength of the Union.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Jack]

Indeed. As we have seen with freeports, as we will see with investment zones and as we have seen with city and region growth deals, when we work together, we are truly better together.

[Scott Benton]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that by extending our cost of living support and taking measures to deliver long-term sustainable growth while reducing inflation, the Chancellor’s Budget strengthened the Union by delivering for all parts of it?

[Mr Jack]

Yes. The cost of living support package has been a total of £94 billion, an average of £3,300 for every household in the United Kingdom.

--- Later in debate ---

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Order. If we go a bit faster, we will get everybody in.

[Scott Benton (Blackpool South) (Con)]

Q11.   Since 2019, this Government have provided well over £300 million in extra funding for projects in Blackpool. However, there is always room for more. The Bond Street and Revoe areas in my constituency are among the most deprived in the country, and have been long forgotten by the Labour-led council. The Government have already provided £600,000 in funding for a feasibility project, with a view to delivering a £30 million regeneration package for those areas. Will they look closely at the business case to see how this transformational project can be delivered to the local communities?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

rose—