Oral Answers to Questions

Patrick Grady Excerpts
Wednesday 6th September 2023

(7 months, 4 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait Chris Heaton-Harris
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I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that question, the way he poses it and the point behind it. The senior management team is a strong and effective unit, and the Policing Board has a lot on its plate at this point in time. I believe it has even launched a review into how the Policing Board itself operates. I am quite sure that questions are being asked about what can be done in this space but, as of now, I can update the House only on what I have done.

Patrick Grady Portrait Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)
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2. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increased cost of living on people in Northern Ireland.

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
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7. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increased cost of living on people in Northern Ireland.

Steve Baker Portrait The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Steve Baker)
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The UK Government are acutely aware of the cost of living pressures experienced in all parts of the UK since the onset of war in Ukraine. We provided an estimated £2 billion of financial support to Northern Ireland, including more than £1 billion in the form of the energy price guarantee and the additional £600 payment to help households with the rising cost of energy. Tackling inflation continues to be a top priority for this Government.

Patrick Grady Portrait Patrick Grady
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Every country in the world is having to deal with the impact of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the pandemic, but only one country is having to deal with the impact of Brexit, which is what is driving up prices and the cost of living for people in Northern Ireland and across the UK, isn’t it?

Steve Baker Portrait Mr Baker
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I am inclined just to say no. The reality is that this conversation will keep going to and fro. We have left the European Union and we are staying out of the European Union. Our task is to make sure that we flourish as a nation outside the EU, and I wish the hon. Gentleman would just get behind it and move on.