The Economy 2020-09-02

2020-09-02

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Julie Marson Con
Hertford and Stortford
Context
The questioner inquires about the current economic situation in Northern Ireland.
What recent assessment has been made of the strength of the economy in Northern Ireland?
While the Northern Ireland economy does have its challenges, I am confident that it has a promising economic future, with its talent, great companies, entrepreneurial spirit and world-leading sectors and universities, as well as world-class hospitality, leisure and cultural offerings. We will continue to work with businesses, the Northern Ireland Executive and local partners to ensure that we not only get the economy back up and running but are laying the foundations for a sustainable, growing and stable economic future.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Julie Marson Con
Hertford and Stortford
Context
The questioner inquires about the uptake of the eat out to help out scheme in Northern Ireland.
In my constituency, the eat out to help out scheme has been a massive success and given our local economy a huge boost. Will my right hon. Friend let the House know what the uptake has been in Northern Ireland?
I have not tested all the venues in Northern Ireland that were taking part in the eat out to help out scheme, but I did my bit to support the sector, as I am sure many colleagues around the House did. Comprehensive figures are not yet available, but I do know that over 1,500 restaurants in Northern Ireland signed up to the scheme in the first week of operation, highlighting just how important the scheme has been to give people confidence to go out and businesses a chance to see their customers again.
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Q3 Direct Answer
Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Lagan Valley
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The questioner is concerned about the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on businesses and consumers.
The Secretary of State will be aware that Northern Ireland businesses are concerned about the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol. Businesses I have spoken to report very little or no progress on export health certificates for animal-related food products being shipped from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. That potentially means increased costs for Northern Ireland businesses, and those costs will be passed on to Northern Ireland consumers. What will he do to ensure that arrangements are put in place to prevent that from happening?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. We recognise the unique position of authorised traders, such as supermarkets, with stable supply chains and comprehensive oversight of warehousing and distribution operations, moving pre-packaged products for retail sales solely in Northern Ireland. We continue to look at specific solutions for the trade, working with the trade. EHCs and accompanying notes for guidance will be made available from 1 November on the EHC form finder, to allow exporters and certifying officers to familiarise themselves with the requirements.
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Q4 Direct Answer
Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Lagan Valley
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The questioner seeks clarity on the definition of unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses.
I welcome that news, and I want to follow that up with a question about the formal guidance that is required from the Government on the definition of unfettered access. Can the Secretary of State explain how a trader in Northern Ireland will get qualifying status in order to benefit from unfettered access in shipping goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and in the other direction? What extra processes would a trader in Northern Ireland face if they did not have qualifying status?
I can confirm that we are very keen to give as much guidance and information to businesses as early as possible. We are committed, as I said, to providing Northern Ireland's businesses with unfettered access to the rest of the UK market. It means no import customs declarations as goods enter the rest of the UK from Northern Ireland, no safety or security declarations as goods enter the rest of the UK from Northern Ireland, no tariffs to be applied to Northern Ireland goods entering the rest of the United Kingdom in any circumstances, no customs checks, no new regulatory checks and no additional approvals required for placing goods on the market in the rest of the United Kingdom. For further reassurance, I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that we will introduce legislation for unfettered access shortly.
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Q5 Direct Answer
Kirsten Oswald SNP
Strathkelvin and Bearsden
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On August 7th, a Cabinet Secretary announced a £335 million business package for Northern Ireland.
The money is supposedly to help with border checks and Brexit red tape. Given the Minister's membership in the Brexit Cabinet, can he assure Scottish businesses of similar financial support to cover the costs of leaving the EU single market?
The £155 million IT systems and £200 million Treasury support scheme are tailored to Northern Ireland's unique situation, different from that of Scotland. The Government aims to ensure Northern Ireland can trade prosperously within the UK, a benefit for all.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Claire Hanna SDLP
Belfast East
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Border Force is recruiting for positions in Northern Ireland that are open to UK nationals only.
The advertisement excludes Irish nationals despite the Good Friday agreement framework. Will the Minister acknowledge this discrepancy and request the Home Office to revise the job listing to align with Northern Ireland's fair employment laws?
The Minister is willing to review the issue. The Home Office previously corrected similar issues and will be contacted to address this matter.
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