Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Bayo Alaba and Darren Jones(1 week ago)
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Darren Jones
May I welcome the hon. Lady to her new spokesperson role? We recognise the impact that Brexit has had on the UK economy, which is why we have entered into a new trade deal in our first year in government with the European Union. A very key part of that is the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement for food and drink trade, which my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Nick Thomas-Symonds) is working on with European counterparts at the moment. Once that is implemented, we look forward to seeing trade improve, growth increasing and prices coming down on the shelves in supermarkets across the United Kingdom.
Mr Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) (Lab)
Growing the UK Economy
Debate between Bayo Alaba and Darren Jones(9 months ago)
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Darren Jones
We share the hon. Member’s ambition for the Northern Ireland economy and the people of Northern Ireland. We continue to work with them to unleash that potential. In respect of our trading relationship with the EU, Ministers are in active discussions right now.
Mr Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) (Lab)
I had the pleasure of welcoming the Minister to my constituency at the weekend. Will he outline how the national wealth fund will establish partnerships in regions such as Essex, including in my constituency?
Darren Jones
I thank my hon. Friend. As he has seen from announcements today, but also from our ambition for the country more generally, we are on the hunt for growth opportunities, wherever they may be. We worked in partnership with business investors to unleash their potential to generate great jobs, businesses and innovations for UK plc in every region of the nation. I look forward to working with him and his friends in the region to ensure that that comes to his constituency too.