Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Businesses

Wednesday 13 May 2020 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 8 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Planning is taking place with the devolved Administration in Belfast and the Irish Government to support economic recovery.
  • A 17 million package was announced to protect five ferry routes between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • Consultation and funding support for the Northern Ireland economy are being sought as the region emerges from lockdown.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dave Doogan SNP Dumfries and Galloway
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The Secretary of State is aware of the importance of cross-border trade between Northern Irish counties and neighbouring County Donegal.

Question

What planning is taking place with the devolved Administration in Belfast and the Irish Government to ensure that the emergence from lockdown promotes an urgent regeneration of the crucial cross-border economy?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

We are very focused on the whole economy of Northern Ireland. One of the biggest and most financially well-supported growth deals in the United Kingdom is dealing with these economic issues. I have regular meetings with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and co-chair a fortnightly meeting with the Republic of Ireland's Tánaiste to ensure we take a joined-up approach.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Douglas Chapman SNP Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Transport Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

The Secretary of State is informed about the potentially devastating job losses at P&O.

Question

What assessment has he made regarding the impact of a reduction or loss of the P&O Cairnryan to Larne service, and what discussions has he had with P&O and trade unions on safeguarding this vital link between Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

I announced a £17 million package to protect the five ferry routes ensuring connectivity for Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK. I have had conversations with P&O and other ferry operators only in the past few days.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Rob Butler Con Aylesbury
Economy Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The hon. Member acknowledges that small businesses are a vital part of the economy in Northern Ireland.

Question

How will my right hon. Friend ensure that they have all the guidance and support that they need to regain lost trade and flourish once more as we move to the next stage of the coronavirus crisis?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

We are in regular contact with businesses across Northern Ireland to understand their pressures and work with the Northern Ireland Executive to focus on economic recovery. We will ensure that we do this in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Northern Ireland Democracy & Elections
Context

The hon. Member regrets the lack of consultation with devolved nations regarding Prime Minister's announcement on Sunday.

Question

Will he commit to ensuring that the Northern Ireland Executive are fully consulted and informed on the next phase of lockdown and future changes to messaging?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

We are working with devolved authorities, including Ministers sitting on committees discussing coronavirus issues. All devolved authorities were present at the Cobra meeting before the Prime Minister's announcement.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Northern Ireland
Context

The hon. Member notes that the issue of self-employed individuals holding an Irish passport is a matter of concern.

Question

Can he explain why those in Northern Ireland who hold an Irish passport, as is their right under the Good Friday agreement, are still unable to check their eligibility for the self-employed support scheme, and can he commit to urgently rectify that problem before the scheme starts to pay out?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

We are aware of this issue and looking to deal with it very soon. I hope to be able to outline exactly how we are dealing with it very soon.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP Lagan Valley
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Northern Ireland citizens holding a Northern Ireland driving licence cannot use it to verify their claim for support from the self-employed income support scheme.

Question

Clearly, that is entirely wrong. It means that self-employed people in my constituency are being disadvantaged and cannot make their claim or have it verified. Will the Secretary of State liaise with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Treasury to ensure that Northern Ireland driving licences are an acceptable document for the purposes of verification for the self-employed scheme?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

Yes, I am happy to work with the right hon. Gentleman to see whether we can find a logical, sensible and swift solution to that challenge.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q7 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP Lagan Valley
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

Concerns about the economic situation in Northern Ireland as lockdown restrictions ease.

Question

Can the Secretary of State advise us what additional funding he is seeking to support the Northern Ireland economy, as we hopefully emerge from lockdown over the next few weeks and months? He will be aware of the situation with our economy, as with the economy across the United Kingdom. We are all anxious to know what additional support might be available from the Treasury for the recovery of our economy in Northern Ireland.

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

The right hon. Gentleman makes a good point. It is hugely important that we are ready, as we come out of lockdown, to not just recover from the economic situation with coronavirus but then turbocharge the economy across the United Kingdom, and particularly in Northern Ireland to see the economy flourish and grow. We have given £1.2 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive through the Barnett consequentials. That is on top of the UK-wide schemes, such as the job retention scheme. The Treasury and the Chancellor continue to look at everything we need to do to support businesses, people and every part of the United Kingdom as we come through this, and to ensure that we come out of it in a way that will allow our economy to re-flourish and grow in the future.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q8 Kirsten Oswald SNP West Tyrone
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Concern over the potential negative impact of the EU-UK negotiations on Northern Irish businesses, given the current focus on covid-19.

Question

With covid-19 consuming so much effort internationally, does the Secretary of State agree that the EU simply will not indulge further UK Government brinkmanship on transition? The resulting cliff edge will be a step too far for many Northern Irish businesses, so why are his Government pushing ahead with their reckless timetable, despite widespread support across the political divide for an extension?

Answer from Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)

I do not recognise the hon. Lady's reference to widespread support. The position of the British public, restated in December last year, is very clear—they want to see things done, so that we as a country can move forward. It is in both our interests and the EU's interests to be ready to move forward in January 2021. The best certainty we can give business, which we are focused on, is unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the rest of the UK, and we will do that through the Northern Ireland protocol.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)