Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential economic effect of the UK leaving the EU on (a) St Helens North constituency, (b) Merseyside and (c) the UK.

While it is clear that we do now face a significant economic challenge as a result of the referendum decision, the UK economy is well placed to respond. Over the last six years we have taken a series of difficult decisions in order to rebuild our economy.

The government has invested in the Northern Powerhouse, securing agreement to elect five new powerful mayors across the north, and making substantial investment commitments in transport, science, research and culture. The employment rate in the North is close to record highs.