Bob Blackman
Main Page: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)Department Debates - View all Bob Blackman's debates with the Cabinet Office
(11 years, 6 months ago)
Commons Chamber Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        Given that getting a job is the most important element in alleviating cost of living problems, will my right hon. Friend elucidate the measures that the Northern Ireland Office has taken to promote private sector investment so that new firms come into Northern Ireland?
 Mr Robathan
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr Robathan 
        
    
        
    
        My hon. Friend will know that last June an economic pact was signed by the Northern Ireland Executive and others that looked forward to a rebalanced economy with more private sector jobs. In the last year some 10,000 jobs have been created in the private sector. As I have said, we are expecting another 13,000 this year, and 23,000 new jobs over the next year.[Official Report, 28 April 2014, Vol. 579, c. 10MC.]