Economic Growth

Debate between Shockat Adam and Emma Reynolds

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

UKRI—UK Research and Innovation —invests in that sort of research, and the Government will continue to do that through UKRI.

[Shockat Adam (Leicester South) (Ind)]

I, too, am a bit concerned that the Minister is missing a page of her statement, because there has been no mention of the east midlands. The Prime Minister was right when he blamed Margaret Thatcher for picking winners and abandoning whole regions, and that appears to be happening to the east midlands this time. In my constituency, Leicestershire and Rutland receives a grand total of zero pounds in infrastructure investment. On skills funding, Leicester gets £11.30 per head, compared with £52.10 in Greater Manchester and £66.19 in the west midlands, which is six times more. Can she reassure me, the people of the east midlands and my constituents in Leicester South that we will not be left behind?

[Emma Reynolds]

I can reassure the hon. Gentleman; the east midlands and the west midlands are really important. The changes that the Chancellor outlined to the discount rate today will benefit places such as his constituency, because they will ensure that we value the longer-term benefit of regional investment projects more fairly. As we have said, we will drive growth in every postcode and that includes his constituency.