Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Structural and Investment Funding: Transition Period

Wednesday 2 December 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK shared prosperity fund will help level up and create opportunities across the United Kingdom.
  • Devolved authorities will be part of the governance structures for the shared prosperity fund.
  • Talks are ongoing with the Northern Ireland Executive about the establishment of an independent fiscal council by autumn.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast South and Mid Down
Economy Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

Discussions on the potential merits of devolving spending for structural and investment funding after the transition period to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Question

What recent discussions have been had with Cabinet colleagues regarding the devolution of (a) structural and (b) investment funding in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period to the Northern Ireland Executive?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The UK shared prosperity fund will help level up and create opportunities across the United Kingdom. The Government will coordinate this funding on a UK-wide basis, working with devolved Administrations to ensure it is used effectively. Devolved authorities will be part of the governance structures for the fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify if discussions had been held or what they involved.

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Q2 Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast South and Mid Down
Northern Ireland
Context

Concern about clauses in the UK Internal Market Bill breaching international law, undermining Northern Ireland protocol, and impacting certainty.

Question

The spending of the shared prosperity fund under the UK Internal Market Bill would override devolution, with no duty to consult on spend in devolved areas. Given breaches indicated in the internal market Bill and expected in the taxation Bill, can assurances be given that next week's Bill will not further undermine the Northern Ireland protocol?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The clauses aim to protect and deliver on the Good Friday agreement by ensuring no borders, including east-west. The devolved authorities would be part of the shared prosperity fund governance; however, this is extra money once we leave the EU to support communities as promised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide assurances that next week's Bill will not undermine the Northern Ireland protocol.

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Q3 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Economy Taxation Northern Ireland
Context

Proposal to create an independent fiscal council for Northern Ireland, which would act as a convincing mouthpiece for spending pleas.

Question

Would the creation of an independent fiscal council enhance spending requirements and demands made by and within Northern Ireland, likely receiving more attention in the Treasury?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

An independent fiscal council was first agreed to in 2015 and recommitted to this year. Talks are ongoing with the Executive about its establishment by autumn, which will help for budgeting purposes and ensure transparency in money spent in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly agree that it would enhance spending requests.

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