Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will (a) have discussions with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the proportion of commercial properties in Northern Ireland that are empty and (b) make that matter a priority for discussions when the Northern Ireland Assembly returns.

Vacant commercial properties are a devolved matter, and related enquiries should be directed to the Northern Ireland Executive Department for Communities.

The Northern Ireland Office wishes to promote growing prosperity for everyone in Northern Ireland. To that end, officials and ministers work closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and we work with all parties to secure the political stability which is essential to the flourishing of communities across Northern Ireland.