Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how (a) Midlands devolution and (b) the West Midlands growth engine plan will apply to Redditch constituency.

We are committed to an economy that works for all and empowering local areas through the devolution of powers and resources. Devolution deals are a key part of our plan to support growth up and down the country. This Government will continue to support the Midlands Engine for growth, with the West Midlands as a key driver. Our ambition is to increase the value of the Midlands economy by £34 billion and create a further 300,000 jobs by 2030.

The West Midlands devolution deal includes the largest Investment Fund to be awarded to any area. It will provide more than £1 billion over thirty years to spend on local projects that will drive economic growth. In May 2017 there will be an election for the mayor of the West Midlands, creating a role that will help to drive devolution and growth. Redditch, as a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority, has the opportunity to influence the future direction of these devolved powers.

This Government’s Local Growth Fund has supported development in Redditch, including the new Engineering Centre of Excellence. We have also committed to an ambitious programme of strategic road improvements, including a package for the M42 and M40 that should provide positive benefits for Redditch, as well as the wider West Midlands.