Promoting Trade and Investment 2022-03-09
2022-03-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from a need to understand actions taken by the Department to support Northern Ireland's economic growth through international trade.
What steps his Department is taking to promote trade and investment in Northern Ireland?
I recently attended the Northern Ireland Day at the Dubai Expo, where I met many Northern Irish businesses already exporting globally, including White's Oats, Kiverco and Greenfields. We also had the opportunity to meet with two sovereign wealth funds, which have accepted our invitation to come to Northern Ireland as part of their programme of investing in the United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or commitments regarding trade and investment promotion were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern is about ensuring that Northern Ireland's businesses are given due consideration when the UK negotiates new international trade agreements.
Can he assure me that he is working with his colleagues in the Department for International Trade to ensure that businesses in Northern Ireland which export their products are given full and due consideration in all trade deal negotiations?
I am delighted that we have now opened a new Department for International Trade hub in the heart of Belfast. We have put £8 million into Invest NI to help it to promote Northern Ireland abroad. Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom's offer to the world and will benefit fully from our international trade agreements.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct assurance or commitment was provided regarding the specific work with DIT for considering Northern Irish businesses in trade deals negotiations.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern is about the need to cut vehicle excise duty for Northern Ireland residents facing high energy costs.
Will they be quick to cut vehicle excise duty to save people from the soaring costs that are crippling home budgets?
On 3 February this year the Government announced that the Northern Ireland Executive will receive an additional £250 million to help them to support households with the cost of living. He mentions tax changes, but it would be imprudent of me as a junior Minister to comment ahead of the Chancellor's making statements to the House.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about cutting vehicle excise duty was not addressed; instead, the answerer referred to a different support measure for households and avoided commenting on tax changes before the Chancellor's announcement.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern is about ensuring that efforts are made to secure the return of the World Rally Championship in Belfast.
Can the Minister please confirm that we will pull out all the stops for 2023?
We did extensive work with the Department for the Economy and the hon. Member for North Antrim was heavily involved in lobbying on that. We think it would be a great thing to bring to Northern Ireland and we are determined to build on the work we have already done to see whether that is possible next year.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct confirmation or commitment to pull out all stops was provided.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern is about the differentiation of goods in relation to the protocol's impact on Northern Ireland.
Can we be clear that the Government are seeking an SPS agreement with the EU that differentiates the goods that are at risk of going into the EU, and those that are not?
The disruption that the implementation of the protocol is having in Northern Ireland is not sustainable. That is why the Government are committed to finding a negotiated solution.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about seeking an SPS agreement was not addressed; instead, the answerer focused on the disruption caused by the current protocol implementation.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern is about the potential impact of inward investment on Northern Ireland's economic development, specifically regarding Casement Park.
What input or influence have the Secretary of State and his Minister had on the realisation of Casement Park? Could the £1.2 billion returned to the Treasury be used for such projects?
We look at a whole range of opportunities for investment in Northern Ireland, to give it the opportunity to attract inward investment and to host international events. That will be a core part of what we are able to do through levelling up, and it is a key thing that the Secretary of State and I have been driving through our city and growth deals.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment or influence regarding Casement Park was provided; instead, the answerer spoke broadly about investment opportunities and levelling up initiatives.
Response accuracy