Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

What assessment he has made of the benefits of the Levelling Up Fund for Northern Ireland.

The Government is firmly committed to levelling up and bringing new benefits and opportunities to communities right across the UK. Through our excellent Levelling Up Fund, £4.8billion is being made available to fund capital projects that will regenerate town centres and high streets, upgrade local transport, and invest in cultural and heritage assets.

In Northern Ireland, the Levelling Up Fund is open to a range of business, voluntary and community sector organisations until 18 June. The successful bids will help drive the recovery of communities and areas hardest hit by Covid. I am confident that this new funding can make a real difference in Northern Ireland and I have enjoyed some enthusiastic early engagements with local government across NI.