Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2014, Official Report, column 536W, on business: Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the success of the recent roadshow his Department co-hosted to promote the delivery of the British Business Bank in Northern Ireland.

The recent roadshow in Northern Ireland, hosted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), was attended by the Northern Ireland Executive, Invest Northern Ireland and a range of finance providers from Northern Ireland, including representatives from leading banks. The roadshow resulted in on-going discussions with the Executive and finance providers to explore how the Business Bank can build upon existing levels of support in Northern Ireland.

Officials from BIS and the Business Bank attended a meeting in Belfast on 9 July 2014 with my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and local investors as part of this continuing engagement, aimed at encouraging greater participation by Northern Ireland's private sector in the Business Bank's £300 million Investment Programme.

On 2 July 2014 Government published a one year update on the Economic Pact, which set out how the Government and the Executive have been working with the Business Bank to ensure Northern Ireland businesses and entrepreneurs can benefit from national finance schemes. This close co-operation will continue so that more local businesses gain from the available programmes.