John McDonnell
Regional Development Agencies
Yesterday in the Commons, John Redwood queried the Minister for Local Government, John Healey, over the efficacy of Regional Development Agencies (see below).
Later, he asked the Minister for Pensions Reform, Mike O’Brien, to disclose how much the Government is budgeting for the latest pension commitment (see below).
[Economic Reform]
Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): As someone who wishes to see the South East England Development Agency bite the dust alongside the Assembly, may I ask the Minister to explain why it is that those regions of the UK that have had well financed RDAs for longest—and strong regional planning and intervention for longest—have become progressively less well off compared with areas that have not been blessed with such organisations?
John Healey: Perhaps I should send the right hon. Gentleman the results and the figures that demonstrate that in recent years the progress on skills, employment levels and general prosperity has been faster in the poorest regions than the more prosperous regions, in part because of the economic leadership that RDAs and some local authorities, especially in the cities, have been able to provide.
[Pensions Bill]
Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Can the Minister tell us how much money he is budgeting for the matching promise, which will be a welcome improvement?
Mr. O’Brien: It is the case that the DWP has within its funds sufficient money to be able to match fund the amounts that may come forward. It is a matched funding commitment and we expect that the Young review will identify some extra funding that will enable us to increase the amount of funding available for the pensioners. We have said that we will look at that issue, and our view is that we will be in a position to match demand in the approaching comprehensive spending review period and deliver the increase from existing departmental assets.
