Oral Answers to Questions

Adam Jogee Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Adam Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab)]

1. What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the development of a new UK industrial strategy.

[Adam Thompson (Erewash) (Lab)]

4. What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the development of a new UK industrial strategy.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

Economic growth is the priority for this Government, and our industrial strategy is central to achieving it. Last week I co-hosted a roundtable with the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland, Caoimhe Archibald, and business organisations to discuss how we can work together to ensure that the industrial strategy benefits Northern Ireland.

[Adam Jogee]

Northern Ireland, like Newcastle-under-Lyme, has a proud industrial heritage. Can the Secretary of State expand on his answer and give us a flavour of the specific discussions he has had with industry, higher education institutions and the Executive on ensuring that Northern Ireland is right alongside Newcastle-under-Lyme at the heart of the Government’s new industrial strategy?

[Hilary Benn]

Northern Ireland does indeed have a great industrial heritage. Titanic Studios, for example, had been the paint shed for Harland and Wolff, and now it hosts a lot of film making. Another example is the revival of Harland and Wolff, which, thanks to the takeover by Navantia, will now be building the Navy’s three new fleet solid support ships. Those are two good examples of Northern Ireland’s strength.