Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephanie Peacock and Dehenna Davison

Monday 27th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Dehenna Davison]

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend, who is a fantastic champion for Bingley. As I have said, the third round of the levelling-up fund will be announced in due course, but of course I will work with him and Bradford Council to ensure that the bid is as strong as it possibly can be for that round, so that we can deliver for the people of Bingley.

[Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)]

Barnsley Council has lost 40% of its budget and half of its workforce since 2010, which is a loss of £1.2 billion. Just £10 million has been given back to the borough through levelling-up funding, with nothing for my constituency of Barnsley East. Does the Minister really expect communities to be grateful for that?

[Dehenna Davison]

I would encourage the hon. Member to visit the Barnsley Futures project—I actually had the pleasure of visiting those involved a few months ago—and tell me that they are not grateful.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephanie Peacock and Dehenna Davison

Monday 20th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Dehenna Davison]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of access to green space. My Department has made significant funds available to local areas, including through the UK shared prosperity fund and the levelling-up parks fund, which can be used to regenerate green spaces, but I would be happy to sit down with him to discuss the matter further.

[Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)]

Can the Minister confirm whether there is levelling-up funding within the Department that has not been spent or allocated?

[Dehenna Davison]

I am not quite sure whether I understand the hon. Lady’s question. If she would like to write to me, I will certainly follow up in writing.