Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Business: Northern Ireland

Thursday 12 December 2024 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department has a team in Belfast to support businesses in Northern Ireland.
  • Meetings held with Airbus CEO and representatives from Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.
  • Commitment to promoting agrifood sector productivity across the United Kingdom and globally.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from ongoing concerns about the economic stability and growth of businesses in Northern Ireland. The MP highlights a disparity in government spending with UK defence companies, noting that only 0.6% was directed to Northern Ireland compared to 25% in the south-east of England between 2018 and 2023.

Question

What steps he is taking to support businesses in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland businesses received just 0.6% of what the Government spent with UK defence companies between 2018 and 2023, compared with 25% in the south-east of England. What discussions are Ministers having with Cabinet colleagues, Airbus, and other interested parties to safeguard jobs at Spirit AeroSystems and increase government spend with Northern Ireland defence companies?

Answer from Sarah Jones

My Department has a team in Belfast to help stay close to businesses in Northern Ireland. We work closely with Invest Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy and other key partners. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the global chief executive officer of Airbus last week, and I have also met representatives from Airbus, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems to discuss this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about safeguarding jobs at Spirit AeroSystems was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments. The response focused on general support mechanisms and meetings without providing details of job security measures.

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Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The question focuses on the economic impact of Spirit AeroSystems' uncertain future due to a recent buy-out and takeover, affecting half of its 3,600-strong workforce in Belfast. The MP references a disparity in government spending with UK defence companies and highlights concerns about supply chain stability.

Question

What steps he is taking to support businesses in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland businesses received just 0.6% of what the Government spent with UK defence companies between 2018 and 2023, compared with 25% in the south-east of England. Spirit AeroSystems faces an uncertain future as half of its workforce wait to find out if their jobs are safe following Boeing's buy-out of the company and Airbus's takeover. What discussions are Ministers having with Cabinet colleagues, Airbus, and other interested parties to safeguard those jobs at Spirit now and increase government spend with Northern Ireland defence companies in the future?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We care about those jobs and the future of our defence industry in the UK. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the global chief executive officer of Airbus last week, and I have also met representatives from Airbus, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems to discuss this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about safeguarding jobs at Spirit AeroSystems was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments. The response focused on general support mechanisms and meetings without providing details of job security measures.

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question addresses the sustainability and efficiency of Northern Ireland's agrifood sector, with a specific ask to promote productivity across the UK and internationally. The MP highlights the importance of this industry in relation to jobs and the economy.

Question

What assessment has been made of the sustainability and efficiency of Northern Ireland's agrifood sector? Will the Minister commit to promoting the productivity of that industry across the United Kingdom and indeed across the world?

Answer from Sarah Jones

The agrifood sector is incredibly important. I meet representatives of the sector, and I will do all I can. As always, I am very keen to talk to the hon. Gentleman about what more we as a Government can do to support the sector.

Not addressed: The specific ask for an assessment and promotion of productivity was not addressed with concrete commitments or actions. The response provided general statements without detailing how the commitment will be implemented.

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