Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with the devolved Administrations on policies to support growth in the (a) digital technology, (b) green, (c) life sciences, (d) advanced manufacturing and (e) creative industries.

DBT is committed to engagement with the devolved administrations in the development of policies to support businesses across the whole country and across all sectors.

For example, the Minister of State for International Trade chairs the Interministerial Group for Trade, which last met on 7 September 2023, to facilitate discussion with devolved administrations on trade policy priorities. The UK’s trade policies remove barriers, offer increased trade, and support growth for all parts of the UK economy.

DBT recently hosted the Northern Ireland Investment Summit, working closely with officials in the Northern Ireland Executive and Invest Northern Ireland to grow the advanced manufacturing and engineering, technology, financial and professional services, the green economy, and the life and health sciences sectors in Northern Ireland.