Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Selous and Steve Baker

Wednesday 24th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to help increase GDP in Northern Ireland.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Steve Baker)]

The UK Government are committed to the long-term economic growth of Northern Ireland, and are working closely with the Executive and business to demonstrate what a fantastic place it is to live, work and invest in. For instance, we have delivered the Northern Ireland investment summit; we are committed to levelling up Northern Ireland’s economy, with £617 million being spent on four city and growth deals; we are implementing key deliverables in the “Safeguarding the Union” Command Paper; and we continue to promote Northern Ireland’s unique institutional arrangements.

[Andrew Selous]

With the Executive restored and enjoying a financial package of more than £3 billion, does the Minister agree that Northern Ireland businesses are now in position for an era of transformational success?

[Mr Baker]

Absolutely, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting that, but funding is, of course, only one part of the solution. The transformation of public services is vital, but achieving that will require innovative strategic thinking as well as some revenue raising, and the Government stand ready to assist the Northern Ireland Executive with formal structures to help them achieve those ends.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Selous and Steve Baker

Wednesday 22nd November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Baker]

I am confident that somewhere there is a junior communications professional lamenting the fact that they accepted the automatically generated flag on that Instagram post, and I do not wish to deepen their embarrassment by going further. The hon. Gentleman will have noticed that I was proud to put out on my own Instagram the lapel pin that I am currently wearing.

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

2. What recent discussions he has had with businesses in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the Windsor framework.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Selous and Steve Baker

Wednesday 21st June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote Northern Ireland businesses overseas.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Steve Baker)]

As a result of the Windsor framework, Northern Ireland will be in the unique position of being part of the UK internal market as of right, having privileged access to the EU market, being under UK services regulation, and having access to the free trade agreements to which we are acceding. In addition, I have led trade missions with Invest Northern Ireland to Canada and South Korea to promote brilliant Northern Ireland businesses overseas, and will take further similar steps.

[Andrew Selous]

What will be the benefit to businesses in Northern Ireland of working with the UK Export Academy?

[Mr Baker]

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting the UK Export Academy, brought forward by the Department for Business and Trade. To illustrate its success, I would point to Lowden Guitars, which takes its products from its factory in County Down to customers in Australia. I encourage businesses across Northern Ireland, and indeed across the UK, to use the Export Academy, as he implicitly suggests.