Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent fiscal steps her Department has taken to help tackle regional economic inequalities.

At Autumn Budget 24 this Government invested for the long-term in regional economic growth, supporting city regions to achieve their potential and spread growth across the country. It set out the first major steps in our approach to regional growth, through devolution, investment and reform. Mayors now have greater control of their budgets through the first integrated settlements, which will apply for the West Midlands and Greater Manchester from 2025-26, and for other eligible Mayoral Combined Authorities from 2026-27.The Government has also committed to giving local leaders the powers and resources they need to secure growth in their communities, and will set out more detail in the upcoming English Devolution White Paper.

To ensure all parts of the UK feel the benefits of growth, we invested in major railway projects like the TransPennine Route Upgrade, East West Rail, and High Speed 2; confirmed funding for Investment Zones and Freeports across the UK; set out plans to give places long-term certainty through the Government's 10-year vision for infrastructure and confirmed long-term support for growth-driving sectors ahead of the full modern Industrial Strategy’s publication in the Spring; and invested in public services through apprenticeships and the Get Britain Working package, including Health and Growth Accelerators which will tailor employment, health, and skills support to the needs of local people.