Chancellor George Osborne has backed the redevelopment of Dunsbury Hill Farm in Havant as he pledged to continue government investment into the Solent Region’s economy.
Osborne was replying to a question from Havant MP Alan Mak during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 9 December 2015. Osborne was standing in for David Cameron during the Prime Minister’s visit to Poland.
Dunsbury Hill Farm is expected to create upto 3500 new local jobs, and Alan Mak MP has been working with Havant Borough Council to champion the project in Westminster. The land is being redeveloped by Portsmouth City Council with assistance from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.
Osborne declared “I’m delighted to hear about the regeneration of Dunsbury Hill Farm, and it’s part of the good news that is happening to his area where the claimant count is down by 25% in the last year alone”
The Chancellor also praised Mak’s work in the House of Commons championing the Havant constituency, adding, “[The Dunsbury Hill Farm regeneration] is part of the good news that is happening to his area….That’s thanks to local businesses and it’s also thanks to the work he’s done as a new MP in attracting infrastructure and investment into his constituency”
Mak quipped that the Solent Region welcomes continued government investment and preferred the Treasury’s Red Book, which contains the details of Budget policies, to Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book which was brandished by Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell during this year’s Autumn Statement debate.
Osborne replied, “I’m glad he likes the red book of the government and doesn’t have so much time for the Little Red Book brandished by those opposite.”
Alan Mak MP said, “I’m delighted the Chancellor is backing the Dunsbury Hill Farm regeneration, and I’ll continue working hard with Havant Borough Council to attract more investment and new businesses into Havant. Strengthening Havant’s local economy is my top priority, and I will always speak up strong for Havant’s interests in the Commons.”
Mak added, “Havant is open for business, and our exciting plans for regeneration, especially at Dunsbury Hill Farm and Market Parade, make our area very attractive for skilled workers and new businesses. Havant Borough Council’s “Prosperity Havant” agenda is an impressive initiative which I am backing fully.”