Local MP calls on Chancellor to provide more details about Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor

An Oxfordshire MP is calling on Rachel Reeves to provide more details about her plans for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, as he says there needs to be proper investment to support more infrastructure.

It’s ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement today, where she will address the country on her plans for the economy this lunchtime.

"I urge you to learn the lessons of previous periods of rapid expansion"

Calum Miller, Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock said: “The briefing that we've had has told us that she's facing a very tough time when it comes to debt levels and there have been dark stories about further cuts to public services at a time when we all know that public services are really struggling. So, I'm anxious about what today's statement will mean for the residents in our area and for the economy.

Mr Miller also says he wants to make sure that there is the “right kinds of investments”, such as “increasing the access to GPs, as well as hard infrastructure, since there are companies and households in our area who just simply can't connect to the National Grid for up to a decade because it doesn't have the capacity.

“That's not even to get started on the problems we have each autumn and winter with flooding and sewage spilling out into the roads and into people's homes. So, we desperately need the investment to accompany the ambitions for growth in our area.”

In a letter to the Chancellor, the Bicester and Woodstock MP asked the Chancellor to use today's Spring Statement as an opportunity to provide more details about the growth corridor.

He wrote: “Many of my constituents have contacted me following your recent visit to Eynsham where you outlined your plans for growth in our area, and along the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.

“I urge you to learn the lessons of previous periods of rapid expansion in this area, when there has been inadequate investment in infrastructure to enable growth and in public services for an increased population.”

He added: “I would appreciate if you were able to use the opportunity of the spring statement to clarify how the Government will ensure that the cost of the growth expansion you have committed to will not be fall on residents in my constituency of Bicester and Woodstock.”

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