Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Metcalfe and Nick Hurd

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hurd]

This country and this Government are on track to invest in excess of £8 billion a year by 2020 in continuing the transition to a clean energy system. We are talking about a low-carbon economy that is generating, at the last count, at least 450,000 jobs. As I made clear in an earlier announcement, there are new commitments to contract for difference auctions for less mature renewable technologies, so the Government’s commitment to clean energy is not in doubt.

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

T8. May I again welcome the first two pillars of the proposed industrial strategy: investment in science and developing skills? Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how the work of the Science and Technology Committee can act as a road map in delivering the Government’s aims?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Metcalfe and Nick Hurd

Wednesday 25th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Civil Society (Mr Nick Hurd)]

Well, we are. We set up a programme, Community First, which is delivering neighbourhood grants in the 600 most deprived wards in the country. We have also worked closely with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Big Lottery Fund to use the European funding structures to unlock £500 million-worth of funding for social inclusion in some of the most deprived communities in the country. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will welcome that.

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

T2. I welcome the work that this Government have done to encourage volunteering, especially through the Points of Light programme. When will my constituents, who work so hard, be recognised through this programme?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Metcalfe and Nick Hurd

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

1. What steps he is taking to encourage individuals and organisations to engage in projects that benefit their local community.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Hurd)]

Encouraging more social action is a key strand of the big society vision, so we are looking at ways to cut some of the red tape that gets in the way and are busy delivering programmes such as Community Organisers, Community First, the national citizen service and the social action fund.

[Stephen Metcalfe]

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. Will he expand on how these initiatives will impact on the residents of South Basildon and East Thurrock and on what they could hope to see from such great ideas in the future?

[Mr Hurd]

I thank my hon. Friend for his positive reaction. I am aware that at least three wards, I think, in his constituency are eligible for the Community First grant programme. This is a fund designed to put money into the hands of neighbourhood groups to help them implement their own plans. It is focused on wards that blend high levels of deprivation with low levels of social capital, and I very much hope that he will engage personally in supporting constituents in those wards to maximise those particular opportunities.