Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 4th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

1. What progress he has made on his policy to create a northern powerhouse for the UK economy.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

6. What progress he has made on his policy to create a northern powerhouse for the UK economy.

[Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con)]

9. What progress he has made on his policy to create a northern powerhouse for the UK economy.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Osborne]

As a Cheshire Member of Parliament, I know that the north Wales economy is closely connected with the economy of the north-west of England. We have already committed ourselves to reopening the Halton curve, re-establishing a regular direct rail link between north Wales and Liverpool for the first time since the 1970s. That is something that my right hon. Friend asked me to do, and campaigned for. Moreover, High Speed 2 gives us the potential of a station at Crewe, which will greatly increase capacity for journeys to north Wales and reduce journey times. We are ready to listen to further ideas for ensuring that prosperity is experienced in north Wales as well.

[Graham Evans]

For 13 years Labour neglected jobs and growth in the north, including Weaver Vale, thus creating an economy that was dangerously unbalanced. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is only the Conservative party, with its long-term economic plan, that will deliver job security for the whole United Kingdom, not just the south?

[Mr Osborne]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. A record number of people are now employed in the north of England, but the gap between north and south grew under those 13 years of Labour government. If the House wants one example of a project that was waiting to be completed but was entirely neglected by the Labour Government, it is the Mersey Gateway bridge, which this Government are now building and to which they are committed—and, thanks to my hon. Friend’s campaigning, there will be no tolls for local residents.