Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on economic growth and development.

Northern Ireland benefits enormously from the strength and security provided by being an integral part of the UK - the world’s sixth largest economy.

The UK Government has regular discussions with Northern Ireland Executive ministers on a range of topics, including economic growth and development.

The UK Government continues to work to boost economic growth in Northern Ireland, including through the allocation of £400 million funding under the New Deal for Northern Ireland, in the ongoing £617 million City and Growth Deal programme, and through allocations of the Levelling Up Fund and the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

However, as economic development is a devolved matter, it is vital that a restored Northern Ireland Executive and locally accountable ministers are in place to take the decisions that will drive economic growth in Northern Ireland.