Public Spending

Angela Smith Excerpts

Thursday 17th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point, although I would not wish to cast aspersions on the shadow Chief Secretary’s reasons for the timing of his arrival in the Chamber. That would be discourteous. However, it is fair to say that a spending review was delayed by the previous Government because they did not want to face up to the fact that some difficult decisions had to be made.

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

The Sheffield Forgemasters loan would have helped place the UK at the forefront of global nuclear production and enabled Forgemasters to install the country’s first 15,000-tonne forging press, thus reducing our dependence on foreign imports. Is the Government’s decision not a political one, made out of spite because South Yorkshire voted Labour, rather than a decision based on the long-term interest of UK manufacturing?

[Danny Alexander]

No, none of the decisions was motivated in the way that the hon. Lady suggests. I have received representations from Members from a number of political parties on this matter. The key issues are affordability and value for money, and that project does not meet those tests. However, we continue to be supportive of it and officials will continue to work with the company to help it to try to secure private investment, which we think is perfectly justifiable for that worthwhile project.