Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Scott Mann Excerpts
Tuesday 5th March 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robert Jenrick Portrait Robert Jenrick
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The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. By our decision to hypothecate vehicle excise duty, we have created the largest ever investment in our strategic road network, which could perhaps fund projects such as the one he raises. Additionally, our £2.7 billion transforming cities fund will support Plymouth and its surrounding areas in particular.

Scott Mann Portrait Scott Mann (North Cornwall) (Con)
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Meur ras, Mr Speaker. Gool Peran lowen—happy St Piran’s day—and Kernow bys vyken!

The announcement yesterday on the stronger towns fund did not include any areas from Cornwall, yet Cornwall has always scored very highly on social deprivation and funding. I know that the coastal communities fund has been a help, but what assurance can I have from the Treasury that it will support towns in my area?

Robert Jenrick Portrait Robert Jenrick
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The stronger towns fund announced this week will provide support for the south-west and all regions of the country, both in terms of direct funding to be paid to local enterprise partnerships and the competitive fund of £600 million that towns in the my hon. Friend’s constituency and those of other right hon. and hon. Members across the country should bid into.

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Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Philip Hammond
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Oh dear, oh dear. As the right hon. Gentleman knows very well, I have been working tirelessly to ensure that we avoid a no-deal exit—that we leave the European Union in a smooth and orderly fashion to a new negotiated partnership that allows our complex and important trade relationships to continue to flourish in the future. That is what I spend every working day doing.

Scott Mann Portrait Scott Mann (North Cornwall) (Con)
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T2. The Chancellor briefly mentioned the spring statement. Can he update the House on his plans for the spring statement on 13 March?

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
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As my hon. Friend is aware, because I have said it already this afternoon, the spring statement is not a fiscal event, but I will update the House on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecasts for the UK economy and for the public finances. I will follow the approach that I took at spring statement 2018 and also provide the House with an update on progress since the 2018 Budget and set out our intended direction for announcements later in the year. Although it is not a fiscal event, I already anticipate my hon. Friend beating a path to my door before the Budget in the autumn.