Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to advance the Belfast City Deal as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Budget 2017 statement on the 22 November 2017; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out at the Budget that the Government will open negotiations for a City Deal for Belfast, as part our wider commitment to work towards a comprehensive and ambitious set of City Deals across Northern Ireland to boost investment and productivity.

This Government believes that local people know what is best for their areas. As such City Deals are locally led. Belfast City Region are currently developing proposals for an ambitious City Deal that drives growth and productivity in the region, which they will share with Government in 2018. I look forward to seeing them.

In the meantime, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland remains in close touch with the region. Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government visited Belfast on 7 December to meet leaders from local councils, universities and business to hear how a City Deal that brings together the private and public sectors can help to unlock the huge economic potential of the Belfast City Region.