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Identifying Growth Sectors in the South East Economy

Our area generates a great deal of wealth. We have invested hugely in the infrastructure not only for buildings, but for people. People are now waiting 18 weeks, rather than 18 months, for an operation. We have invested in all our primary and secondary schools, the teaching work force, the police, other security services and police community support officers, whom Opposition Members did not welcome originally although they welcome them now. It is also important to remember that, while we have areas of wealth, we also have areas of poverty. Indeed, we have some of the highest levels of poverty in the country. If we look at coastal regions such as Hastings or Thanet, we see that unemployment is more than 5 per cent. That is why we introduced the working neighbourhoods funds, and I commend the authorities concerned. Both Conservative councils are working in partnership with the RDAs and county councils to ensure that we use the additional millions of pounds in those communities to assist people in finding and securing work. So very often, as the hon. Member for Basingstoke has said, the issue is about skills. Skills are crucial not only for this region, but also for the country, if we are going to grasp the available opportunities. That is why we provide essential support for kids from less well-off families through the education maintenance allowance. It is a question for the Opposition whether they will continue that sort of payment, which is important if we are to have social justice. It is not only about importing skills, but about growing our own skills to ensure that youngsters can take their place in the future industries to which members of the Committee have referred. Low carbon technologies will be essential to our resources. The hon. Member for Romsey referred to Vestas. It is, of course, disappointing that the company chose to close its facility because the market was in America. However, the Government are providing £10 million to ensure that the research and development facility on the Isle of Wight can provide expertise and put us at the leading edge. There are competing demands within the south-east, and we are interdependent on one another. It is important that we work across the region so that businesses and the public and voluntary sectors can harness our energies and resources to ensure that quality of life continues for the 8 million people in the various communities in this part of England. I hope that people who have listened to the debate will take from it the positive that we all agree that it is important to continue to see investment and growth in this great part of the UK.