Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth

Wednesday 28 February 2024 · 7 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to Northern Ireland's economic growth, focusing on boosting trade and investment.
  • The establishment of InterTrade UK is aimed at growing the economy by ensuring that businesses can operate effectively within the UK internal market.
  • The Government are in discussions to ensure a fair share of levelling-up funding for Northern Ireland, with a total package of 3.3 billion available.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about the economic growth of Northern Ireland and seeks details on government initiatives.

Question

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.

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for economic development not detailed

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Q2 Laurence Robertson Con
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is interested in the role of InterTrade UK in facilitating trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Question

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?

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete actions or timeline provided for InterTrade UK

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Q3 Marco Longhi
Brexit
Context

The MP is questioning the regulation requiring checks on retail consignments entering Northern Ireland.

Question

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?

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline for removal provided

How: Will Update The House At An Early Opportunity

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Q4 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Economy Taxation Northern Ireland
Context

The MP seeks the Minister's support for leveraging devolved tax powers to promote economic growth.

Question

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?

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on leveraging tax powers for growth

How: Promoting Department For Business And Trade'S Offering

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Q5 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Economy Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks to maximise the benefits of the only enterprise zone in Northern Ireland located in his constituency.

Question

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.

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Not addressed: Specifics on liaison with departments for constituency enterprise zone not addressed

How: Investment Zone Reaching Across All Of Northern Ireland

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Q6 Patrick Grady SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Not addressed: Specific rationale not provided

How: Encouragement To Look At Trade Figures, Status And Circumstances Of Northern Ireland

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Q7 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Northern Ireland Local Government
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Steven Baker

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact fair share of levelling-up funding for Northern Ireland was not addressed.

How: We Are Having Conversations On The Detail, Conversations Will Continue

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