Economic Growth 2024-02-28
2024-02-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the economic growth of Northern Ireland and seeks details on government initiatives.
What steps his Department is taking to help grow the Northern Ireland economy. I am concerned about the economic recovery of Northern Ireland post-Brexit and seek specific measures being taken by the Government to support its growth.
The Government are committed to the economic growth of Northern Ireland, working closely with other UK Departments, the newly formed Executive and NI businesses. Our plan includes boosting trade and investment, building on the success of the Northern Ireland investment summit last year; levelling up Northern Ireland's economy, including through our city and growth deals worth £617 million; and implementing the key deliverables of the “Safeguarding the Union” Command Paper.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for economic development not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is interested in the role of InterTrade UK in facilitating trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Given that the rest of the United Kingdom—the internal market—is the biggest market for Northern Ireland, what role does he see for the new InterTrade UK, particularly with respect to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about Northern Ireland's most important economic relationship being with Great Britain. As set out in the Command Paper, the Government are working to establish InterTrade UK, fulfilling our pledge to grow the economy by ensuring that businesses large and small can maximise the full range of east-west trading opportunities.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No concrete actions or timeline provided for InterTrade UK
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is questioning the regulation requiring checks on retail consignments entering Northern Ireland.
Regulation 13 of the Windsor Framework (Retail Movement Scheme) Regulations 2023 requires officials to check ID numbers on seals and break open 5% to 10% for visual inspection. Is my right hon. Friend now able to confirm when, or if, that regulation will be removed?
I am most grateful to my hon. Friend for his insightful and well-rehearsed question. As we set out in the Command Paper, as we transition to the UK internal market system, we will provide clear legal direction to eliminate any physical checks when goods move within the UK internal market system, except those conducted by UK authorities required as part of a risk-based or intelligence-led approach.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline for removal provided
Will Update The House At An Early Opportunity
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP seeks the Minister's support for leveraging devolved tax powers to promote economic growth.
It is good news that the Executive are back up and running. Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the new Executive take full advantage of all the devolved capability they have, particularly on taxation, to encourage the private sector to grow and thrive in Northern Ireland?
I will certainly give the Executive every support, while respecting the devolution settlement. To give my hon. Friend one example, the reason I was in Northern Ireland last night with Retail NI was to promote our terrific offering which includes a trade and investment hub that covers the UK Export Academy and the export support service.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No commitment on leveraging tax powers for growth
Promoting Department For Business And Trade'S Offering
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP seeks to maximise the benefits of the only enterprise zone in Northern Ireland located in his constituency.
Will the Minister liaise with the relevant Departments in Northern Ireland to maximise the benefits of promoting and developing the only enterprise zone in Northern Ireland, which is in my constituency, as are excellent broadband facilities—the best in these islands? That way, we can promote our economy, bring inward investment and create prosperity.
The hon. Gentleman makes a great case for his constituency, and I would like to see terrific levels of investment into it. However, I would like us to go further: I would like to see that investment zone reach right across the whole of Northern Ireland.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specifics on liaison with departments for constituency enterprise zone not addressed
Investment Zone Reaching Across All Of Northern Ireland
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questions the UK Government's rationale for allowing Northern Ireland but not other parts of the UK to have access to parts of the EU single market.
Why do the UK Government think it is good thing for Northern Ireland to have access to parts of the EU single market, but not for other parts of the United Kingdom to have such access, particularly those parts that voted to remain in the EU and the single market?
I am most grateful to the hon. Member for his question, but he will know two things. First, the word “access” is somewhat contested. I would encourage him to go and look at the figures for trade between the United Kingdom and the EU, and satisfy himself of the effect of our leaving the European Union.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific rationale not provided
Encouragement To Look At Trade Figures
Status And Circumstances Of Northern Ireland
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
According to a Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report, Northern Ireland received less levelling-up funding compared to Scotland, Wales, and England in the first round. In November, no funding was allocated to Northern Ireland because the Executive were not sitting.
Northern Ireland has been receiving less levelling-up funding than other regions, including none in November when power sharing was suspended. Now that power sharing has resumed, will the Government update on discussions to ensure a fair share of funding for Northern Ireland?
We have made available a generous package of £3.3 billion overall and are having conversations on the detail of repurposed areas of funding. Conversations will continue, and when fuller details can be provided, we will update the House.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The exact fair share of levelling-up funding for Northern Ireland was not addressed.
We Are Having Conversations On The Detail
Conversations Will Continue
Response accuracy