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3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.135.6
First, I wish the Deputy Prime Minister a very happy new year. I very much welcome his comments, but can we avoid having to have a metro mayor in the Yorkshire region? Will he reaffirm his belief that the greater devolution, which is very welcome, should not be at the cost of local people deciding the governance arrang...
David Ward
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
First, I wish the Deputy Prime Minister a very happy new year. I very much welcome his comments, but can we avoid having to have a metro mayor in the Yorkshire region? Will he reaffirm his belief that the greater devolution, which is very welcome, should not be at the cost of local people deciding the governance arrang...
0.305895
401
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.135.7
I wish my hon. Friend, and Members on both sides of the House a happy new year. On the governance arrangements, clearly we need improved, strengthened governance when we give an area more power. As he rightly suggested, however, this should be a bottom-up process; there should not be a one-size-fits-all blueprint impos...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
I wish my hon. Friend, and Members on both sides of the House a happy new year. On the governance arrangements, clearly we need improved, strengthened governance when we give an area more power. As he rightly suggested, however, this should be a bottom-up process; there should not be a one-size-fits-all blueprint impos...
0.343373
402
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.135.8
Twenty-odd years ago, before I came to the House, I was the leader of Bradford city council. At that time, there was great budgetary flexibility and councillors were able to have flexibility as to how they spent the money—that flexibility has now gone. Should we not be looking at merging some of these councils in order...
Gerry Sutcliffe
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
Twenty-odd years ago, before I came to the House, I was the leader of Bradford city council. At that time, there was great budgetary flexibility and councillors were able to have flexibility as to how they spent the money—that flexibility has now gone. Should we not be looking at merging some of these councils in order...
0.25529
403
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.0
I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that the more different local authorities can do things together to protect and improve front-line public services, the better. I do not entirely agree with his characterisation of the freedoms that local areas now have to use the moneys available to them. We have actually remo...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that the more different local authorities can do things together to protect and improve front-line public services, the better. I do not entirely agree with his characterisation of the freedoms that local areas now have to use the moneys available to them. We have actually remo...
0.309548
404
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.1
I, too, wish the Deputy Prime Minister a happy new year. As he will know, Telford & Wrekin council represents a semi-rural area, yet a back-door deal is currently being done with Wolverhampton city council, which covers an urban area. Does he agree that there should be a full consultation with the people of Telford & W...
Mark Pritchard
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
I, too, wish the Deputy Prime Minister a happy new year. As he will know, Telford & Wrekin council represents a semi-rural area, yet a back-door deal is currently being done with Wolverhampton city council, which covers an urban area. Does he agree that there should be a full consultation with the people of Telford & W...
0.296932
405
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.2
As we have discussed on numerous occasions, the devolution process is not just an urban phenomenon. We need to make sure that power flows from Whitehall to all parts of the country, be they suburban, urban or rural. It is for each area to decide, when entering a new growth deal, how much they do so not just for cities ...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
As we have discussed on numerous occasions, the devolution process is not just an urban phenomenon. We need to make sure that power flows from Whitehall to all parts of the country, be they suburban, urban or rural. It is for each area to decide, when entering a new growth deal, how much they do so not just for cities ...
0.331586
406
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.3
It is great to hear that the Deputy Prime Minister wants a bottom-up process for Bradford, but I wonder why he did not extend the same courtesy to the people of Greater Manchester. We now have an imposed mayor, appointed for several years before anyone gets a say at all. Will the Deputy Prime Minister give me a cast-ir...
Lisa Nandy
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
It is great to hear that the Deputy Prime Minister wants a bottom-up process for Bradford, but I wonder why he did not extend the same courtesy to the people of Greater Manchester. We now have an imposed mayor, appointed for several years before anyone gets a say at all. Will the Deputy Prime Minister give me a cast-ir...
0.253261
407
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.4
I really suggest that the hon. Lady speaks to the leaders of all the councils in the area, including all the Labour leaders, as my understanding is that they advocated this—
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
I really suggest that the hon. Lady speaks to the leaders of all the councils in the area, including all the Labour leaders, as my understanding is that they advocated this—
0.314486
408
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.5
What about the people?
Lisa Nandy
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
What about the people?
0.238391
409
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.6
Well, it is not my problem if local Labour council leaders have not consulted people locally—they made this decision. As she will know, shortly afterwards, on the other side of the Pennines, we entered into a very ambitious deal devolving new powers to Sheffield, without following the metro mayor model entered into by ...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
Well, it is not my problem if local Labour council leaders have not consulted people locally—they made this decision. As she will know, shortly afterwards, on the other side of the Pennines, we entered into a very ambitious deal devolving new powers to Sheffield, without following the metro mayor model entered into by ...
0.338562
410
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.136.8
What steps he is taking to ensure that the residents of Birmingham benefit from the Government's political and constitutional reform proposals.
Jack Dromey
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
What steps he is taking to ensure that the residents of Birmingham benefit from the Government's political and constitutional reform proposals.
0.250509
411
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.0
A happy new year to you Mr Speaker and to colleagues. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have led the negotiations for a city deal and a local growth deal with Birmingham. The city deal has already delivered almost 3,000 apprenticeships in the city and established the Institute of Translational Medicine, which opens in the...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
A happy new year to you Mr Speaker and to colleagues. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have led the negotiations for a city deal and a local growth deal with Birmingham. The city deal has already delivered almost 3,000 apprenticeships in the city and established the Institute of Translational Medicine, which opens in the...
0.326623
412
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.1
England cannot succeed through London and the south-east alone. A new devolution settlement is essential. The Minister will know that Birmingham and the west midlands are ambitious to make progress, but does he understand the sense of disappointment that progress thus far has not been that which had been hoped for and,...
Jack Dromey
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
England cannot succeed through London and the south-east alone. A new devolution settlement is essential. The Minister will know that Birmingham and the west midlands are ambitious to make progress, but does he understand the sense of disappointment that progress thus far has not been that which had been hoped for and,...
0.254519
413
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.2
First, the leader of Birmingham city council warmly welcomed the growth deal and said that it was a great step forward for Birmingham. The city deals have been welcomed by leaders across the political spectrum and across the country as being far more ambitious than anything that has been done for decades. Of course eve...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
First, the leader of Birmingham city council warmly welcomed the growth deal and said that it was a great step forward for Birmingham. The city deals have been welcomed by leaders across the political spectrum and across the country as being far more ambitious than anything that has been done for decades. Of course eve...
0.290602
414
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.3
rose—
Several hon. Members
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
rose—
0.17461
415
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.4
Order. By the content of his answer, the Minister has opened matters a bit beyond Birmingham and we might even stretch to Wiltshire. I call James Gray.
Mr Speaker
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
Order. By the content of his answer, the Minister has opened matters a bit beyond Birmingham and we might even stretch to Wiltshire. I call James Gray.
0.275792
416
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.5
Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the political and constitutional reforms that would most benefit the people of Birmingham, as well as the people in North Wiltshire and elsewhere in England, would be the early introduction of English votes on English matters?
James Gray
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the political and constitutional reforms that would most benefit the people of Birmingham, as well as the people in North Wiltshire and elsewhere in England, would be the early introduction of English votes on English matters?
0.270774
417
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.6
I do agree with my hon. Friend. It is right that we correct an anomaly that exists. That should happen as well as the devolution of power within England, which this Government have been pioneering.
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
I do agree with my hon. Friend. It is right that we correct an anomaly that exists. That should happen as well as the devolution of power within England, which this Government have been pioneering.
0.32552
418
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.137.7
The Political and Constitutional Committee has just issued a report on voter registration. Some 56% of young people in Birmingham are not on the electoral register, and only 44% actually vote. What more can the Deputy Prime Minister do to get those young people on the register in Birmingham and voting?
Chris Ruane
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
The Political and Constitutional Committee has just issued a report on voter registration. Some 56% of young people in Birmingham are not on the electoral register, and only 44% actually vote. What more can the Deputy Prime Minister do to get those young people on the register in Birmingham and voting?
0.296277
419
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.0
The hon. Gentleman knows this area; we have debated it before. It is incumbent on all of us to encourage people to vote. Now that we have individual electoral registration, it is easier than ever before for young people to register; they just need to go to the website. Over the next few months, we need to encourage all...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
The hon. Gentleman knows this area; we have debated it before. It is incumbent on all of us to encourage people to vote. Now that we have individual electoral registration, it is easier than ever before for young people to register; they just need to go to the website. Over the next few months, we need to encourage all...
0.285288
420
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.1
We are talking about devolving power to local people, but money is power. When my constituents find out that the central Government block grant for Birmingham is £640 per person when a combined grant for Leicestershire is £240 per person, the reform they will call for is fairer funding for rural areas.
Andrew Bridgen
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
We are talking about devolving power to local people, but money is power. When my constituents find out that the central Government block grant for Birmingham is £640 per person when a combined grant for Leicestershire is £240 per person, the reform they will call for is fairer funding for rural areas.
0.294319
421
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.2
Right across the country, we take the view that local people can be the best judges of how they spend the money. It should not be decided in Whitehall. Whether the money is spent in rural areas or in cities, we are pioneering a programme of getting money out of Whitehall and into the hands of local people.
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
Right across the country, we take the view that local people can be the best judges of how they spend the money. It should not be decided in Whitehall. Whether the money is spent in rural areas or in cities, we are pioneering a programme of getting money out of Whitehall and into the hands of local people.
0.296325
422
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.3
The best way to make constitutional change is for it to be led by the people and not by politicians. There is now wide support for a people-led constitutional convention. I know that the Deputy Prime Minister agrees with that. When will the Conservatives join the growing consent for such a convention?
Stephen Twigg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
The best way to make constitutional change is for it to be led by the people and not by politicians. There is now wide support for a people-led constitutional convention. I know that the Deputy Prime Minister agrees with that. When will the Conservatives join the growing consent for such a convention?
0.256973
423
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.4
The difference between this Government and the previous one is that we have got on with devolution whereas they just talked about it. The Labour leader of Greater Manchester said that this Government have achieved more in their four years in office than the previous Government did in 13 years, so this should not be kic...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Political and Constitutional Reform
The difference between this Government and the previous one is that we have got on with devolution whereas they just talked about it. The Labour leader of Greater Manchester said that this Government have achieved more in their four years in office than the previous Government did in 13 years, so this should not be kic...
0.256179
424
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.6
What discussions he has had with Lancashire local enterprise partnership on the second phase of local growth deals.
Andrew Stephenson
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals (Lancashire)
What discussions he has had with Lancashire local enterprise partnership on the second phase of local growth deals.
0.288955
425
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.7
The Lancashire growth deal agreed in July transferred £230 million from central Government to investments in Lancashire. I have met the chairman of the Lancashire local enterprise partnership to underline the importance of encouraging growth in every part of Lancashire in the next round of growth deals, which are being...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals (Lancashire)
The Lancashire growth deal agreed in July transferred £230 million from central Government to investments in Lancashire. I have met the chairman of the Lancashire local enterprise partnership to underline the importance of encouraging growth in every part of Lancashire in the next round of growth deals, which are being...
0.282243
426
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.138.8
The second phase of local growth deals proposed by Lancashire local enterprise partnership includes a scheme to regenerate the largest redundant mill complex in the county, Brierfield Mill. That scheme is in my constituency and I have raised and discussed it in detail with the Minister. Although I appreciate that he wi...
Andrew Stephenson
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals (Lancashire)
The second phase of local growth deals proposed by Lancashire local enterprise partnership includes a scheme to regenerate the largest redundant mill complex in the county, Brierfield Mill. That scheme is in my constituency and I have raised and discussed it in detail with the Minister. Although I appreciate that he wi...
0.341707
427
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.0
My hon. Friend is right that he has raised this with me before and I am keen to see the scheme that he paints in such glowing terms, so if he is free to see me a week on Friday I will come up to his constituency and view the mill. I am confident that it will be as attractive as the picture he paints of it.
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals (Lancashire)
My hon. Friend is right that he has raised this with me before and I am keen to see the scheme that he paints in such glowing terms, so if he is free to see me a week on Friday I will come up to his constituency and view the mill. I am confident that it will be as attractive as the picture he paints of it.
0.283132
428
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.2
What assessment he has made of the effect on economic growth on the regional growth fund.
Neil Carmichael
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
What assessment he has made of the effect on economic growth on the regional growth fund.
0.264117
429
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.3
The regional growth fund has already helped create or safeguard more than 100,000 jobs across the country and more still in the supply chain and it is contributing to the 1.75 million more people in work since 2010. I will shortly announce the outcome of round 6 of the regional growth fund, with £200 million available ...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
The regional growth fund has already helped create or safeguard more than 100,000 jobs across the country and more still in the supply chain and it is contributing to the 1.75 million more people in work since 2010. I will shortly announce the outcome of round 6 of the regional growth fund, with £200 million available ...
0.275635
430
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.4
Does my right hon. Friend agree that to underpin that work, things such as GREEN at Berkeley—the Gloucestershire renewable energy, engineering and nuclear project—in which the Government have invested to improve training in engineering, energy and renewable energy, are exactly the way to ensure that we have jobs that a...
Neil Carmichael
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
Does my right hon. Friend agree that to underpin that work, things such as GREEN at Berkeley—the Gloucestershire renewable energy, engineering and nuclear project—in which the Government have invested to improve training in engineering, energy and renewable energy, are exactly the way to ensure that we have jobs that a...
0.474684
431
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.5
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. If we want high-quality jobs to be sustained in the future, we need to invest in skills. That is why the Gloucestershire growth deal will see substantial investment in training in such skills at the former Berkeley power station. I know that he has been a big champion of that.
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. If we want high-quality jobs to be sustained in the future, we need to invest in skills. That is why the Gloucestershire growth deal will see substantial investment in training in such skills at the former Berkeley power station. I know that he has been a big champion of that.
0.375356
432
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.6
May I wish you a happy new year, Mr Speaker, and the Deputy Prime Minister a happyish new year—[Interruption.] A little humour, Mr Speaker. May I push the Minister on regional growth funds? The fact is that none of us will turn down help from the regional growth funds and my own constituency has some, but, at the same ...
Barry Sheerman
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
May I wish you a happy new year, Mr Speaker, and the Deputy Prime Minister a happyish new year—[Interruption.] A little humour, Mr Speaker. May I push the Minister on regional growth funds? The fact is that none of us will turn down help from the regional growth funds and my own constituency has some, but, at the same ...
0.309715
433
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.7
The news from the shadow Chancellor will not be welcome in the hon. Gentleman’s patch, as the shadow Chancellor has said that there will be more cuts for local government. He might want him to explain that. The leaders of the councils in Leeds warmly welcomed the growth deal concluded in July, which establishes a £1 bi...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
The news from the shadow Chancellor will not be welcome in the hon. Gentleman’s patch, as the shadow Chancellor has said that there will be more cuts for local government. He might want him to explain that. The leaders of the councils in Leeds warmly welcomed the growth deal concluded in July, which establishes a £1 bi...
0.295192
434
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.139.8
Surely the best way to achieve regional growth and to help areas such as the north of England is for good neighbours in Scotland to have full fiscal autonomy to counterbalance what the Minister’s colleague from Twickenham, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, called the great suction machine pull...
Angus MacNeil
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
Surely the best way to achieve regional growth and to help areas such as the north of England is for good neighbours in Scotland to have full fiscal autonomy to counterbalance what the Minister’s colleague from Twickenham, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, called the great suction machine pull...
0.298447
435
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.0
That is complete nonsense. The record of job creation over the course of this Parliament shows that the vast majority of jobs have been created outside London. One thing we negotiated was a city deal with the city of Glasgow that was well received in that great city.
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Regional Growth Fund
That is complete nonsense. The record of job creation over the course of this Parliament shows that the vast majority of jobs have been created outside London. One thing we negotiated was a city deal with the city of Glasgow that was well received in that great city.
0.278734
436
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.2
What progress he has made on implementing local growth deals.
Richard Graham
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
What progress he has made on implementing local growth deals.
0.275438
437
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.3
Funding for the local growth deals begins in April this year, but strong progress is being made in implementing the deals even in advance of this. In Gloucestershire the growth hub, which gives advice and support to small businesses, opened at the university of Gloucestershire in October and is already being well used ...
Greg Clark
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
Funding for the local growth deals begins in April this year, but strong progress is being made in implementing the deals even in advance of this. In Gloucestershire the growth hub, which gives advice and support to small businesses, opened at the university of Gloucestershire in October and is already being well used ...
0.291464
438
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.4
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that the university of Gloucestershire’s growth hub in the city of Gloucester is making real progress already. May I invite my right hon. Friend to come and visit it and, while he is there, to take the opportunity to see our exciting plans for the regeneration of Blackfriars in ...
Richard Graham
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that the university of Gloucestershire’s growth hub in the city of Gloucester is making real progress already. May I invite my right hon. Friend to come and visit it and, while he is there, to take the opportunity to see our exciting plans for the regeneration of Blackfriars in ...
0.280097
439
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.5
My hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson) was right to predict a spate of invitations. Of course I will come and visit the new growth hub in Gloucester in the company of my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham).
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
My hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson) was right to predict a spate of invitations. Of course I will come and visit the new growth hub in Gloucester in the company of my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham).
0.252394
440
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.6
I thank the Minister for the Medway growth deal, which is providing over £30 million to the local area. At the heart of the growth is the development of skilled people. Will he join me in welcoming South East LEP’s new skills capital fund, which is using £22 million for the further education sector to help provide the ...
Rehman Chishti
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
I thank the Minister for the Medway growth deal, which is providing over £30 million to the local area. At the heart of the growth is the development of skilled people. Will he join me in welcoming South East LEP’s new skills capital fund, which is using £22 million for the further education sector to help provide the ...
0.297804
441
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.7
I will indeed. The Medway towns have benefited substantially from the growth deal, which is investing in the skills that are required if the jobs of the future are to be well paid and offer the satisfying careers that people want locally.
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
I will indeed. The Medway towns have benefited substantially from the growth deal, which is investing in the skills that are required if the jobs of the future are to be well paid and offer the satisfying careers that people want locally.
0.288017
442
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.140.8
I welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister to Wiltshire last month for the formal signing of the Wiltshire and Swindon local growth deal. Funding in that deal for the redevelopment of Chippenham railway station could also be of great benefit to Corsham if it enabled the reopening of a platform for local train services. Does ...
Duncan Hames
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
I welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister to Wiltshire last month for the formal signing of the Wiltshire and Swindon local growth deal. Funding in that deal for the redevelopment of Chippenham railway station could also be of great benefit to Corsham if it enabled the reopening of a platform for local train services. Does ...
0.319541
443
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.0
The benefits of growth deals go beyond their particular location and help improve the economic prospects of the whole area. The hon. Gentleman is fortunate in Wiltshire in having the rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Claire Perry), as an important advocate for such schemes. The important point is th...
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Local Growth Deals
The benefits of growth deals go beyond their particular location and help improve the economic prospects of the whole area. The hon. Gentleman is fortunate in Wiltshire in having the rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Claire Perry), as an important advocate for such schemes. The important point is th...
0.302788
444
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.2
What steps he is taking to devolve power to cities and metropolitan areas.
Oliver Colvile
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
What steps he is taking to devolve power to cities and metropolitan areas.
0.336146
445
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.3
Cities and their surrounding counties and districts prosper together, which is why I am delighted that the Plymouth city deal, signed last year, also includes businesses and councils in Devon and Cornwall. By opening up South Yard in Devonport to create a commercial marine engineering centre, high-quality jobs will be ...
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
Cities and their surrounding counties and districts prosper together, which is why I am delighted that the Plymouth city deal, signed last year, also includes businesses and councils in Devon and Cornwall. By opening up South Yard in Devonport to create a commercial marine engineering centre, high-quality jobs will be ...
0.285383
446
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.4
I thank my right hon. Friend for coming down to Plymouth to sign our city deal this time last year. Plans for a maritime industrial campus are at a good stage, and we would very much welcome him coming down to have a look at them. To give an extra boost to that city deal proposal, I urge him also to speak with the Trea...
Oliver Colvile
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
I thank my right hon. Friend for coming down to Plymouth to sign our city deal this time last year. Plans for a maritime industrial campus are at a good stage, and we would very much welcome him coming down to have a look at them. To give an extra boost to that city deal proposal, I urge him also to speak with the Trea...
0.295392
447
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.5
I am keen to see South Yard be a success—I am certain that it will be. Many of the advantages of an enterprise zone are already available to councils, through simplified planning rules and discounts on business rates, but I will of course study my hon. Friend’s proposal in detail.
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
I am keen to see South Yard be a success—I am certain that it will be. Many of the advantages of an enterprise zone are already available to councils, through simplified planning rules and discounts on business rates, but I will of course study my hon. Friend’s proposal in detail.
0.275108
448
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.6
It is quite obvious how to devolve more powers to large metropolitan areas, but how do we deal with towns, such as Telford, that sit outside large metropolitan areas? Would it not be better to throw the issues about broader devolution right across England into a constitutional convention?
David Wright
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
It is quite obvious how to devolve more powers to large metropolitan areas, but how do we deal with towns, such as Telford, that sit outside large metropolitan areas? Would it not be better to throw the issues about broader devolution right across England into a constitutional convention?
0.283954
449
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.7
It would not, because that would delay the progress we have made. With regard to the hon. Gentleman’s part of the world, if we go to local people and ask them to work together with their neighbours, right across the country we are seeing that they are able and willing to do precisely that. All the deals that have been ...
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
It would not, because that would delay the progress we have made. With regard to the hon. Gentleman’s part of the world, if we go to local people and ask them to work together with their neighbours, right across the country we are seeing that they are able and willing to do precisely that. All the deals that have been ...
0.342403
450
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.8
Given that the voters of Bury, when asked in a referendum, made it quite clear that they were against the idea of having an elected mayor, and given that across Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities there are already 645 elected councillors, if 645 elected councillors cannot solve the problems of Greater Manchester...
David Nuttall
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
Given that the voters of Bury, when asked in a referendum, made it quite clear that they were against the idea of having an elected mayor, and given that across Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities there are already 645 elected councillors, if 645 elected councillors cannot solve the problems of Greater Manchester...
0.23753
451
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.141.9
The proposal was agreed unanimously by all the councils in Greater Manchester. It is important to be clear that the mayor is taking powers that were previously exercised from Whitehall, so this is not about taking powers away from any of those authorities; it is about transferring to a successful city—that is what Grea...
Greg Clark
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Devolution of Power (Cities)
The proposal was agreed unanimously by all the councils in Greater Manchester. It is important to be clear that the mayor is taking powers that were previously exercised from Whitehall, so this is not about taking powers away from any of those authorities; it is about transferring to a successful city—that is what Grea...
0.273988
452
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.1
What assessment he has made of the completeness of the electoral roll.
Graeme Morrice
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
What assessment he has made of the completeness of the electoral roll.
0.240378
453
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.2
Research by the Electoral Commission on the completeness and accuracy of the register shows that the decline in registration levels between 2000 and 2010 has stabilised since 2011. The Government take seriously the need to have a complete and accurate register, are making electoral registration more accessible through ...
Sam Gyimah
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
Research by the Electoral Commission on the completeness and accuracy of the register shows that the decline in registration levels between 2000 and 2010 has stabilised since 2011. The Government take seriously the need to have a complete and accurate register, are making electoral registration more accessible through ...
0.296663
454
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.3
Can the Minister tell the House how many fewer voters there were on the electoral register for England and Wales in December 2014, compared with the previous year, and whether he is alarmed at the reduction?
Graeme Morrice
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
Can the Minister tell the House how many fewer voters there were on the electoral register for England and Wales in December 2014, compared with the previous year, and whether he is alarmed at the reduction?
0.272616
455
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.4
The full December register has not been published yet so it is impossible to tell the state of the register as at December. As the hon. Gentleman knows, individual electoral registration is a two-year project. We are mid-way through it and it is proving very successful. Nine out of 10 electors were transferred to the e...
Sam Gyimah
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
The full December register has not been published yet so it is impossible to tell the state of the register as at December. As the hon. Gentleman knows, individual electoral registration is a two-year project. We are mid-way through it and it is proving very successful. Nine out of 10 electors were transferred to the e...
0.297857
456
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.5
Many thousands of east Europeans have chosen to come to live and work in this country. The register published in my constituency shows some 3,000 east Europeans who are not qualified to vote, yet some 4,000 people with similar names are shown as eligible to vote in the general election. Will my hon. Friend order an urg...
Bob Blackman
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
Many thousands of east Europeans have chosen to come to live and work in this country. The register published in my constituency shows some 3,000 east Europeans who are not qualified to vote, yet some 4,000 people with similar names are shown as eligible to vote in the general election. Will my hon. Friend order an urg...
0.260023
457
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.6
Individual electoral registration is about the completeness and accuracy of the register so that only those who are eligible to vote are on the register. If there is a specific problem in my hon. Friend’s local authority and local area and if he writes to me about it, I will look into it.
Sam Gyimah
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
Individual electoral registration is about the completeness and accuracy of the register so that only those who are eligible to vote are on the register. If there is a specific problem in my hon. Friend’s local authority and local area and if he writes to me about it, I will look into it.
0.297459
458
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.7
Even before the move to individual electoral registration, we know that 7.5 million eligible voters were not on the register. As a result of the move, there is a risk of a further 5 million people falling off the register. Many accuse the Electoral Commission of being ineffective. Remarkably, the Electoral Commission h...
Sadiq Khan
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
Even before the move to individual electoral registration, we know that 7.5 million eligible voters were not on the register. As a result of the move, there is a risk of a further 5 million people falling off the register. Many accuse the Electoral Commission of being ineffective. Remarkably, the Electoral Commission h...
0.293767
459
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.142.8
I cannot speak for the Electoral Commission, but as the right hon. Gentleman knows, individual electoral registration is the biggest modernisation of our electoral system for more than 100 years. He also knows that nobody who was on the register in January 2014 will not be on the register come the 2015 election, so the...
Sam Gyimah
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Electoral Roll
I cannot speak for the Electoral Commission, but as the right hon. Gentleman knows, individual electoral registration is the biggest modernisation of our electoral system for more than 100 years. He also knows that nobody who was on the register in January 2014 will not be on the register come the 2015 election, so the...
0.3101
460
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.1
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
Ian Murray
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
0.24072
461
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.2
As Deputy Prime Minister, I support the Prime Minister on a full range of Government policy initiatives—[Laughter.] I do not understand the hilarity. Within Government I take special responsibility for this Government’s programme of political and constitutional reform.
Nicholas Clegg
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
As Deputy Prime Minister, I support the Prime Minister on a full range of Government policy initiatives—[Laughter.] I do not understand the hilarity. Within Government I take special responsibility for this Government’s programme of political and constitutional reform.
0.292715
462
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.3
The Deputy Prime Minister says that he supports the Prime Minister on a full range of Government policy; I should think that as the Deputy Prime Minister he supports the Prime Minister on the whole range of Government policy. The Government have been incredibly complacent about the role of individual voter registration...
Ian Murray
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
The Deputy Prime Minister says that he supports the Prime Minister on a full range of Government policy; I should think that as the Deputy Prime Minister he supports the Prime Minister on the whole range of Government policy. The Government have been incredibly complacent about the role of individual voter registration...
0.287373
463
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.4
Order. I remind Members that topical questions are supposed to be shorter.
Mr Speaker
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Order. I remind Members that topical questions are supposed to be shorter.
0.27234
464
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.5
The new system is supported on all sides of the House. It was originally planned by the previous Government to move to a system of individual voter registration, so that we move beyond the paternalism which assumed that the head of a household would always register the people in that household. The new system gives eve...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
The new system is supported on all sides of the House. It was originally planned by the previous Government to move to a system of individual voter registration, so that we move beyond the paternalism which assumed that the head of a household would always register the people in that household. The new system gives eve...
0.308151
465
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.6
Across the world hundreds of thousands of Christians are being perniciously persecuted for their faith, beaten with nail-studded wooden clubs in Sri Lanka, abducted and killed by Boko Haram in Nigeria and Cameroon, burned to death, forcibly married and on death row in Pakistan, and children are chopped in half or sold ...
Fiona Bruce
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Across the world hundreds of thousands of Christians are being perniciously persecuted for their faith, beaten with nail-studded wooden clubs in Sri Lanka, abducted and killed by Boko Haram in Nigeria and Cameroon, burned to death, forcibly married and on death row in Pakistan, and children are chopped in half or sold ...
0.275045
466
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.143.7
I am sure everybody is shocked not only by the news but by the litany of abuse, persecution and violence that is inflicted on Christians and all religious denominations that are persecuted minorities around the world. The Government, through bilateral engagement and working with partners in international organisations,...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
I am sure everybody is shocked not only by the news but by the litany of abuse, persecution and violence that is inflicted on Christians and all religious denominations that are persecuted minorities around the world. The Government, through bilateral engagement and working with partners in international organisations,...
0.291199
467
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.144.0
Yesterday the Deputy Prime Minister said that it was the Liberal Democrats who put the heart into this Tory-led Government. Can he tell us where is the heart in the bedroom tax, where is the heart in making low-income people worse off, and where is the heart in giving tax cuts to millionaires while more people go to fo...
Harriet Harman
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Yesterday the Deputy Prime Minister said that it was the Liberal Democrats who put the heart into this Tory-led Government. Can he tell us where is the heart in the bedroom tax, where is the heart in making low-income people worse off, and where is the heart in giving tax cuts to millionaires while more people go to fo...
0.260378
468
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.144.1
At the election, there were 600,000 more people in relative poverty than there are now. There were 300,000 more children in relative poverty, 200,000 more pensioners in relative—[Interruption.] I know that Labour Members do not what to hear this, but the right hon. and learned Lady seems to think that we lived in a wor...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
At the election, there were 600,000 more people in relative poverty than there are now. There were 300,000 more children in relative poverty, 200,000 more pensioners in relative—[Interruption.] I know that Labour Members do not what to hear this, but the right hon. and learned Lady seems to think that we lived in a wor...
0.291269
469
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.144.2
Once again, the Deputy Prime Minister has shown that he will say anything to defend the Government and that he is completely out of touch. The reality is that without the Liberal Democrats, there would be no VAT hike, no trebling of tuition fees and no dismantling of the NHS. No one is fooled by the Lib Dems’ attempts ...
Harriet Harman
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Once again, the Deputy Prime Minister has shown that he will say anything to defend the Government and that he is completely out of touch. The reality is that without the Liberal Democrats, there would be no VAT hike, no trebling of tuition fees and no dismantling of the NHS. No one is fooled by the Lib Dems’ attempts ...
0.252902
470
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.144.3
I will tell you what I think is heartless and incompetent—going on a prawn cocktail charm offensive to the City of London in the run-up to the last election and allowing the banks to get away with blue murder. The banks blew up on the right hon. and learned Lady’s watch because they did not heed our warnings that they ...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
I will tell you what I think is heartless and incompetent—going on a prawn cocktail charm offensive to the City of London in the run-up to the last election and allowing the banks to get away with blue murder. The banks blew up on the right hon. and learned Lady’s watch because they did not heed our warnings that they ...
0.259765
471
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.0
In his speech yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister appeared to revive the spirit of “The Wizard of Oz” when he claimed that Lib Dems would put heart into the Conservatives and spine into Labour. As Deputy Prime Minister, does he see his role as Dorothy, in a dream world on the yellow brick road, the Wizard, who turns o...
Tim Loughton
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
In his speech yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister appeared to revive the spirit of “The Wizard of Oz” when he claimed that Lib Dems would put heart into the Conservatives and spine into Labour. As Deputy Prime Minister, does he see his role as Dorothy, in a dream world on the yellow brick road, the Wizard, who turns o...
0.246029
472
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.1
A well prepared and much—[Interruption.]
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
A well prepared and much—[Interruption.]
0.208066
473
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.2
Order. Whether the question is well prepared or not is not for the Chair to decide; what the Chair does want is to hear the answer.
Mr Speaker
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Order. Whether the question is well prepared or not is not for the Chair to decide; what the Chair does want is to hear the answer.
0.249074
474
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.3
A well prepared and obviously much rehearsed question. My view, as the hon. Gentleman’s party hares off to the right and the Labour party hares off to the left, is that the majority of the British people want us to stick to the course of fixing the economy but doing so in a spirit of fairness and compassion. That is wh...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
A well prepared and obviously much rehearsed question. My view, as the hon. Gentleman’s party hares off to the right and the Labour party hares off to the left, is that the majority of the British people want us to stick to the course of fixing the economy but doing so in a spirit of fairness and compassion. That is wh...
0.261152
475
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.4
A high-skill, high-wage economy needs more of our young people going into apprenticeships, so will the Deputy Prime Minister explain how last year 6,000 fewer young people started an apprenticeship than the year before? Is not this simply a Government who have betrayed the promise of Britain’s young people?
William Bain
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
A high-skill, high-wage economy needs more of our young people going into apprenticeships, so will the Deputy Prime Minister explain how last year 6,000 fewer young people started an apprenticeship than the year before? Is not this simply a Government who have betrayed the promise of Britain’s young people?
0.277982
476
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.5
That is an absolutely ludicrous assertion. My right hon. Friend the Business Secretary has presided over the biggest expansion of apprenticeships in this country since the second world war. We have seen 2 million new apprenticeship starts under this Government—a far, far higher rate of apprenticeship starts than ever o...
Nicholas Clegg
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
That is an absolutely ludicrous assertion. My right hon. Friend the Business Secretary has presided over the biggest expansion of apprenticeships in this country since the second world war. We have seen 2 million new apprenticeship starts under this Government—a far, far higher rate of apprenticeship starts than ever o...
0.270557
477
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.6
Despite the fact that London is the powerhouse of the economy and continues to subsidise the rest of the United Kingdom, there are still pockets of deprivation. What powers will my right hon. Friend propose be devolved to the Mayor of London and to London’s local authorities to combat those areas of deprivation?
Bob Blackman
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Despite the fact that London is the powerhouse of the economy and continues to subsidise the rest of the United Kingdom, there are still pockets of deprivation. What powers will my right hon. Friend propose be devolved to the Mayor of London and to London’s local authorities to combat those areas of deprivation?
0.300885
478
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.145.7
As the hon. Gentleman may know, the growth deal for London had a particular focus on giving greater flexibility and freedom to decision makers in London to address the skills gaps that exist not only in the economy as a whole but in London in particular. As he rightly alluded to, there are of course pockets of real dep...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
As the hon. Gentleman may know, the growth deal for London had a particular focus on giving greater flexibility and freedom to decision makers in London to address the skills gaps that exist not only in the economy as a whole but in London in particular. As he rightly alluded to, there are of course pockets of real dep...
0.333968
479
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.146.0
Mr Ian Davidson. Not here.
Mr Speaker
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Mr Ian Davidson. Not here.
0.236677
480
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.146.1
From Lincolnshire to London, chief constables are expressing mounting concern over the Government’s proposed cuts to policing leading to neighbourhood policing being hollowed out, response times getting longer, victims being let down and, crucially, public safety being put at risk. Are they right?
Jack Dromey
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
From Lincolnshire to London, chief constables are expressing mounting concern over the Government’s proposed cuts to policing leading to neighbourhood policing being hollowed out, response times getting longer, victims being let down and, crucially, public safety being put at risk. Are they right?
0.261586
481
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.146.2
Of course, the police have had to absorb 20% reductions in their budget and it is extraordinary—we should all pay tribute to police forces up and down the country for this—that they have none the less equally presided over a decline in crime rates to historically very low levels indeed. I am extremely confused this mor...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Of course, the police have had to absorb 20% reductions in their budget and it is extraordinary—we should all pay tribute to police forces up and down the country for this—that they have none the less equally presided over a decline in crime rates to historically very low levels indeed. I am extremely confused this mor...
0.278374
482
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.146.3
Will the Deputy Prime Minister take this opportunity to acknowledge that one of the singular successes of the Scottish referendum campaign was the engagement of new first-time voters from the age of 16 and above? Given the imminent general election, will he encourage local authorities throughout the United Kingdom to b...
Charles Kennedy
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Will the Deputy Prime Minister take this opportunity to acknowledge that one of the singular successes of the Scottish referendum campaign was the engagement of new first-time voters from the age of 16 and above? Given the imminent general election, will he encourage local authorities throughout the United Kingdom to b...
0.299936
483
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.146.4
I strongly agree with my right hon. Friend. I hope that those who doubt the wisdom of moving towards extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds—there are, of course, some in this House who still doubt it—will look carefully at the experience of the Scottish referendum, which mobilised huge public participation not ...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
I strongly agree with my right hon. Friend. I hope that those who doubt the wisdom of moving towards extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds—there are, of course, some in this House who still doubt it—will look carefully at the experience of the Scottish referendum, which mobilised huge public participation not ...
0.282529
484
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.0
This summer, one or two former Ministers may seek gainful employment in the corporate sector. Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments is effective at ensuring that big corporate interests are not able to buy inside influence improperly?
Douglas Carswell
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
This summer, one or two former Ministers may seek gainful employment in the corporate sector. Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments is effective at ensuring that big corporate interests are not able to buy inside influence improperly?
0.300938
485
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.1
As the hon. Gentleman will know, the point of the advisory council is precisely to ensure that improper influence is not secured by the employment of those who have recently held ministerial office. Of course, the rigour with which the advisory council operates should always be kept under review, and if the hon. Gentle...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
As the hon. Gentleman will know, the point of the advisory council is precisely to ensure that improper influence is not secured by the employment of those who have recently held ministerial office. Of course, the rigour with which the advisory council operates should always be kept under review, and if the hon. Gentle...
0.26634
486
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.2
Further to the earlier exchange on Bradford, may I urge the Deputy Prime Minister not to devolve more powers to Bradford council, which has consistently shown that it does not care about Shipley in its district, but only about its central Bradford heartland? My constituents feel that decision making in Bradford is just...
Philip Davies
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Further to the earlier exchange on Bradford, may I urge the Deputy Prime Minister not to devolve more powers to Bradford council, which has consistently shown that it does not care about Shipley in its district, but only about its central Bradford heartland? My constituents feel that decision making in Bradford is just...
0.285763
487
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.3
I do not want to comment on the prospects of Shipley splitism and separatism, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman’s sense of grievance about where decisions are taken—in Bradford or Shipley—will not dim his enthusiasm for something that this coalition Government have pioneered, which is the devolution of power from Whit...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
I do not want to comment on the prospects of Shipley splitism and separatism, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman’s sense of grievance about where decisions are taken—in Bradford or Shipley—will not dim his enthusiasm for something that this coalition Government have pioneered, which is the devolution of power from Whit...
0.306567
488
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.4
It has been reported in The Guardian, so it must be true, that the Deputy Prime Minister is spending at least two days a week in his constituency because he fears losing his seat to Labour’s Oliver Coppard. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the role of Deputy Prime Minister is now part time; and if it is, w...
Michael McCann
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
It has been reported in The Guardian, so it must be true, that the Deputy Prime Minister is spending at least two days a week in his constituency because he fears losing his seat to Labour’s Oliver Coppard. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the role of Deputy Prime Minister is now part time; and if it is, w...
0.229991
489
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.5
It is a novel concept for the hon. Gentleman to seek to criticise me for doing the work that I have done with great pleasure and relish for the past 10 years, which is to be a dutiful constituency MP, as well as a party leader and Deputy Prime Minister. I make no apologies for the fact that week in, week out I attend—a...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
It is a novel concept for the hon. Gentleman to seek to criticise me for doing the work that I have done with great pleasure and relish for the past 10 years, which is to be a dutiful constituency MP, as well as a party leader and Deputy Prime Minister. I make no apologies for the fact that week in, week out I attend—a...
0.26291
490
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.147.6
May I wish the Deputy Prime Minister a happy new year? I have made a resolution not to be nasty to the Liberal Democrats. [Interruption.] No, I am not going to break it. He has been very courageous. He has been a courageous leader of the Liberal Democrats. He has socked it to the Labour party at the Dispatch Box today....
Peter Bone
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
May I wish the Deputy Prime Minister a happy new year? I have made a resolution not to be nasty to the Liberal Democrats. [Interruption.] No, I am not going to break it. He has been very courageous. He has been a courageous leader of the Liberal Democrats. He has socked it to the Labour party at the Dispatch Box today....
0.250471
491
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.148.0
I could give the hon. Gentleman so many reasons why I would never join him. Without in any way seeking to breach the festive spirit, I would say that he stands as a constant reminder of why I would never join his party.
Nicholas Clegg
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
I could give the hon. Gentleman so many reasons why I would never join him. Without in any way seeking to breach the festive spirit, I would say that he stands as a constant reminder of why I would never join his party.
0.228113
492
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.148.1
With people falling off the electoral register—potentially 12 million by the next election—does the Deputy Prime Minister support our plans to trial online voting and to look at holding elections at weekends?
Robert Flello
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
With people falling off the electoral register—potentially 12 million by the next election—does the Deputy Prime Minister support our plans to trial online voting and to look at holding elections at weekends?
0.295742
493
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.148.2
Of course we should have an ongoing debate about how we can make voting easier, bring it more up to date and make sure that the whole experience of participating in elections is a 21st-century experience and not a 19th-century one. Debates on those kinds of proposals should continue, but they should not be to the exclu...
Nicholas Clegg
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Of course we should have an ongoing debate about how we can make voting easier, bring it more up to date and make sure that the whole experience of participating in elections is a 21st-century experience and not a 19th-century one. Debates on those kinds of proposals should continue, but they should not be to the exclu...
0.313242
494
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.148.3
Happy new year to you, Mr Speaker, and to the Deputy Prime Minister. Will he clarify what he said to me at his last question time? He said that the failure to support the Boundary Commission’s changes was linked in some way to House of Lords reform. I have gone back and studied the coalition agreement, and it is quite ...
Andrew Robathan
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
Happy new year to you, Mr Speaker, and to the Deputy Prime Minister. Will he clarify what he said to me at his last question time? He said that the failure to support the Boundary Commission’s changes was linked in some way to House of Lords reform. I have gone back and studied the coalition agreement, and it is quite ...
0.32553
495
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.148.4
As the right hon. Gentleman will have seen from looking at his well-thumbed copy of the coalition agreement, the section on constitutional and political reform floated a package of measures, including House of Lords reform, boundary reform and party funding reform. Unfortunately, on a number of those crucial items—for ...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
As the right hon. Gentleman will have seen from looking at his well-thumbed copy of the coalition agreement, the section on constitutional and political reform floated a package of measures, including House of Lords reform, boundary reform and party funding reform. Unfortunately, on a number of those crucial items—for ...
0.29301
496
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.148.5
The Deputy Prime Minister accepted over £30,000 in donations from Autofil in Nottinghamshire, which is transferring 160 British jobs to Bulgaria. If those jobs were in Sheffield, would he still be taking the money?
Kevin Brennan
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null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
The Deputy Prime Minister accepted over £30,000 in donations from Autofil in Nottinghamshire, which is transferring 160 British jobs to Bulgaria. If those jobs were in Sheffield, would he still be taking the money?
0.262789
497
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.149.0
As I said in response to an earlier question, it is of course for a private company to decide how it makes its own arrangements. I certainly make no apologies for the transparent way in which I and colleagues in my party receive donations—a lot more transparently and a lot less in hock to vested interests than the huge...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
As I said in response to an earlier question, it is of course for a private company to decide how it makes its own arrangements. I certainly make no apologies for the transparent way in which I and colleagues in my party receive donations—a lot more transparently and a lot less in hock to vested interests than the huge...
0.297108
498
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.149.1
From suicide crisis to life-threatening eating disorders, too many of my constituents with mental health problems find it difficult to get timely help. What can the Government do to ensure, in a supportive way, that the NHS treats mental health as seriously as physical health?
Martin Horwood
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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
From suicide crisis to life-threatening eating disorders, too many of my constituents with mental health problems find it difficult to get timely help. What can the Government do to ensure, in a supportive way, that the NHS treats mental health as seriously as physical health?
0.253053
499
3d6c79a6-f5d9-4841-a351-01d4007957e5
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-06c.149.2
I strongly agree with my hon. Friend, and for a long time one great injustice has been that mental health services have been treated like a sort of Cinderella service in the NHS. We are finally starting to right that wrong by putting mental health on the same legal footing as physical health in the NHS, and next year w...
Nicholas Clegg
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Topical Questions
I strongly agree with my hon. Friend, and for a long time one great injustice has been that mental health services have been treated like a sort of Cinderella service in the NHS. We are finally starting to right that wrong by putting mental health on the same legal footing as physical health in the NHS, and next year w...
0.267852