Oral Answers to Questions

Stephanie Peacock Excerpts
Monday 21st November 2022

(2 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lucy Frazer Portrait Lucy Frazer
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As a new Minister in post, I wish to reassure my hon. Friend that I am committed to taking forward the taskforce and I have already spoken to the Minister for Care about re-establishing it.

Stephanie Peacock Portrait Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)
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One of the stated aims of levelling up is to

“restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging”.

Barnsley does not lack pride or community—we lack resources. After slashing 40% of our council’s budget, rejecting two levelling-up bids and now backing a Budget that places a heavy burden on councils, what are the Government doing to make sure that levelling up delivers a genuine economic boost to areas such as Barnsley?

Lucy Frazer Portrait Lucy Frazer
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I am sorry that Barnsley has not been successful in its levelling-up fund bids, but of course a variety of schemes have been put forward to improve local areas. Those are not finished and I wish her area every success in future bids.