Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to support cities outside London.

Spreading prosperity across the United Kingdom is a key pillar of the Growth Mission. The Government’s regional growth strategy will drive growth in city regions and make the most of the opportunities in each part of the country.

We are supporting the potential of city regions through the publication of the English Devolution Bill and the launch of integrated funding settlements, which will give local leaders a single, flexible funding pot to spend where their area needs. We will work side by side with our mayors, local leaders and the devolved governments to support regions to achieve their potential.

The government is supporting regional growth, with a total package worth over £3 billion in 2025-26 alone. We have unlocked private investment including setting a new strategic steer for the National Wealth Fund to deliver our ambition for growth across the country. We are supporting growth in the the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, including though delivering East-West Rail. We are also investing in economic infrastructure across the country, including via West Yorkshire Mass Transit which will transform connectivity in the region.

The Industrial Strategy will be published in spring 2025, alongside with the Spending Review, which will focus on eight growth-driving sectors, create a pro-business environment and support city-regions across the country.