Oral Answers to Questions

Kenneth Stevenson Excerpts

Wednesday 14th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Alan Gemmell (Central Ayrshire) (Lab)]

2. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Scotland.

[Kenneth Stevenson (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)]

3. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Scotland.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Alexander]

Absolutely. I welcome the work of the ambitious Ayrshire consultation, and pay generous tribute to the work that my hon. Friend is doing. When I was Trade Minister, I visited companies including Ecocel and GE Aerospace in Ayrshire, and saw for myself the extraordinary potential for growth-driving sectors such as advanced manufacturing. As part of the more than £200 million the UK Government are investing in Ayrshire, the local growth fund will provide flexible, targeted support to help unlock exactly that potential.

[Kenneth Stevenson]

After years of increases to the cost of living, my Airdrie and Shotts constituents are understandably impatient for change, and want to see the benefits of economic growth in their communities and in their pockets. Can the Secretary of State provide further detail on how this Government are supporting the growth of local economies in North Lanarkshire, and what role does he see AI, advanced manufacturing and life sciences playing in that growth by helping to develop supply chain resilience locally?

[Mr Alexander]

Of course, North Lanarkshire has been at the heart of Scottish manufacturing for many decades. Since 2019, it has actually grown faster than the national average in Scotland, due to its highly skilled workforce and ambitious local development plans. I am delighted that large US companies such as CoreWeave have recognised that potential, with CoreWeave having invested £1.5 billion in North Lanarkshire’s growing AI infrastructure. I can assure my hon. Friend that North Lanarkshire has a strong advocate and supporter in the UK Government—we are determined to fulfil that potential.