Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Andrea Jenkyns

Tuesday 17th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Outwood) (Con)]

3. What fiscal steps his Department is taking to increase productivity.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Philip Hammond)]

My hon. Friend is asking the right question. The only way to deliver a high-wage, high-skill economy of the future and to sustainably raise living standards is to raise our productivity growth rate. This requires investment by the Government in infrastructure, skills, and research and development. Since 2010, this Government have provided over half a trillion pounds in capital investment, increased investment in skills and reduced taxes for business. But raising the productivity growth rate also requires action at the level of the firm. Lower taxes provide a strong incentive for businesses to invest in raising their productivity. These tax reductions include the £9 billion package to reduce business rates that the Financial Secretary has just mentioned.

[Andrea Jenkyns]

Productivity is a key element in determining our future standard of living. The current productivity gap in Yorkshire and the Humber provides great opportunities for growth. However, significant and sustained investment is required to achieve this. Will my right hon. Friend commit to the excellent northern powerhouse project and ensure that the region gets the vital investment in infrastructure that it needs to improve productivity?

[Mr Hammond]

My hon. Friend is right again. We will only build an economy that works for everyone and every region if we succeed in narrowing the regional productivity gap. For that reason, the Government are fully committed to the northern powerhouse. We have announced a funding boost of £436 million to improve transport connections within the northern city regions through the transforming cities fund, with a further £840 million to be competitively allocated to the largest cities in England. This builds on the record amounts of more than £13 billion over this Parliament that we are already investing in northern transport, which is more than any previous Government.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Andrea Jenkyns

Tuesday 20th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations to reform (a) the EU and (b) the UK’s relationship with the EU.

[Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Outwood) (Con)]

14. What assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations to reform (a) the EU and (b) the UK’s relationship with the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Philip Hammond)]

We are making good progress in our discussions on reform of the EU at both a political and technical level. We will continue discussions with our EU colleagues as well as with the European Parliament and Commission ahead of the December European Council. As the Prime Minister said last week, he will also be writing to the president of the European Council in early November to set out the areas of change that we wish to achieve.

[Mr Hammond]

My hon. Friend is right to point out that concern. It is the case that the eurozone states will have a qualified majority between them in due course. That is why part of this negotiation is about putting in place a framework to govern relationships and decision making between eurozone and non-eurozone states so that the interests of the non-eurozone states are protected as the eurozone proceeds with the closer integration that—in our judgment—will be necessary to ensure that the euro is a successful currency. That is something that is greatly in the interests of the United Kingdom.

[Andrea Jenkyns]

For the past two years, the residents of Morley and Outwood have been telling me of their concerns about EU migration, free movement of people and access to our NHS benefits and other services. What assurances can my right hon. Friend give them that those concerns will be addressed in the renegotiations?