Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Green and James Brokenshire

Wednesday 15th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

12. What plans he has to support the development of city deals in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire)]

The Government have a clear manifesto commitment to work towards a comprehensive and ambitious set of city deals across Northern Ireland to boost investment and help to unlock Northern Ireland’s full potential. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and I have already had some early discussions with partners in the Belfast city region.

[Chris Green]

I welcome my right hon. Friend’s commitment to developing city deals in Northern Ireland. Can he confirm that the city deals that have been developed by this Government have been a success across Great Britain and that Northern Ireland stands to benefit immensely from their development over there?

[James Brokenshire]

I can. The fact is that Northern Ireland has had no city deals, whereas England, Scotland and Wales have made 33 deals worth up to £4.9 billion. This is about the change that city deals bring and the other finance that city deals are able to unlock. That is why we strongly believe there is a firm place for city deals in Northern Ireland, and we are committed to advancing them.