During questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Greg Clark MP, Martin asked for assurances that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPS) will be used by BEIS to fund future projects in the local area.
Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
Following the collapse of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal, the LEPs in Humber and Greater Lincolnshire take on a greater significance, but there is concern that some central Government funding may be lost as a result of the collapse of the deal. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the LEPs will be used to channel the funds from his Department when suitable projects are identified?
Greg Clark
As my hon. Friends on the Front Bench have said, we regard local growth as a very important component of our industrial strategy, and my hon. Friend knows that I have been a big champion of local growth, so I want to see more of that. Obviously, certain offers were part of the proposed deal, but these deals are never compulsory, and if the councils and the businesses do not want to proceed then it is a matter for them.
You can read the full debate here.