Growing the UK Economy Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: HM Treasury

Growing the UK Economy

Yasmin Qureshi Excerpts
Wednesday 29th January 2025

(2 days, 6 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Darren Jones Portrait Darren Jones
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The hon. Member is what we call a blocker. That is not in the nature of this Government. We will get on and deliver.

Yasmin Qureshi Portrait Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South and Walkden) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I welcome the Minister’s statement on growth. Does he agree that alongside upgrading transport infrastructure, we should create more homes and infrastructure around existing commuter lines, such as the Bolton-to-Manchester line in my constituency?

Darren Jones Portrait Darren Jones
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. In working on the plan for change’s priority of 1.5 million new homes, the Deputy Prime Minister has already identified that as a great opportunity for the Government. Working with partners in Network Rail and elsewhere, we can unlock the land adjacent to existing infrastructure for new developments. Some of that was referenced in the part of the Chancellor’s speech about the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, but we are actively looking at opportunities across the country as well.