To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to (a) encourage (i) investment in infrastructure and (ii) economic growth and (b) support local businesses in Exmouth and Exeter East constituency.

As part of the Budget, this Government announced an over £100 billion increase in departmental capital investment over the next five years compared to plans the government inherited.

The government has committed £640 million in Bus Service Improvement Plan funding to improve bus services; £650 million of funding for local transport beyond our city-regions to improve connectivity in towns, villages and rural areas; and support for the first round of electrolytic hydrogen production projects, including a first of its kind project in Devon. This government has confirmed the establishment of a County Combined Authority in Devon and Torbay, giving local leaders the power to make decisions that benefit their communities, boosting economic growth and driving reform. We are encouraging local leaders in Devon and Torbay to deepen and widen their existing devolution agreements and take strides towards mayoral devolution as a gold standard

Alongside this, the government set out plans for the 10-year infrastructure strategy. This will boost investment and growth in the South West and across the country, providing certainty and stability for the supply chain, and helping to unlock private investment. To give businesses the certainty and stability to invest, the Government is developing a modern industrial strategy and creating the National Wealth Fund to support its delivery and mobilise billions of pounds of investment in the UK’s growth industries. The Government owned British Business Bank is also investing over £1billion through their regional Investment Fund programmes, supporting growing businesses across Devon.