Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential economic benefit to Leigh constituency of improving the local infrastructure and connectivity to regional hubs; and if he will make a statement.

Addressing productivity across the country is at the heart of the government’s economic plan. Leigh is already benefiting from devolution to Greater Manchester, which has included an additional £30m per year over the next 30 years for local priorities, and a £300m housing investment fund. Greater Manchester has also received over £500m from the Local Growth Fund. We recently launched our Industrial Strategy to set out a long- term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.

The government recognises the benefit of improving local infrastructure and connectivity to regional hubs. As a constituency of Greater Manchester, Leigh will benefit from £243 million from a new £1.7 billion Transforming Cities Fund to invest in transport projects.

Government will also work in partnership with Greater Manchester to develop a local industrial strategy, based on robust evidence, focussed on raising skills, backing business and building on opportunities across the city region.