Oral Answers to Questions

Jerome Mayhew Excerpts

Wednesday 7th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Hilary Benn]

As I have said many times in the past, there is no such thing as vexatious prosecutions. The ECHR protects the rights of all our all citizens, including the veterans who served with such distinction in Operation Banner.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) (Con)]

6. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Government policies on the economy in Northern Ireland.

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

Northern Ireland’s economy is one of the strongest of any part of the United Kingdom: it has the lowest unemployment and its economic growth outpaced the rest of the UK in the year ending the second quarter of 2025. That performance is being supported by this Government’s policies, including significant investment in economic development and a record settlement for the Executive.

[Jerome Mayhew]

Mr Speaker,

“a continuing cost-of-living crisis and a recent budget that failed to support workers, families and businesses in a meaningful way”.

It is not often that I agree with the First Minister but, with absolutely no action to address lagging productivity, she is right, isn’t she?

[Hilary Benn]

The Northern Ireland Executive have very considerable responsibilities in respect of the Northern Ireland economy. I note that the Finance Minister has published a draft three-year budget; the fact that we had a three-year spending review has given the Northern Ireland Executive the opportunity to do the same for the first time in a number of years. As the Minister said, there are choices that the Executive have to make—that is true of all Governments around the world—and I look forward to seeing the Executive come forward with a proposal for a balanced budget.