Asked by: Ian Liddell-Grainger (Conservative - Bridgwater and West Somerset)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
What recent assessment she has made of the strength of the Northern Ireland economy.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The fundamentals of the Northern Ireland economy remain strong. Economic output is up over the year, exports have risen, unemployment has fallen to levels not seen since before the Great Recession of 2008, and 55,000 more people are in work compared to 2010.
Ultimately, though, a key requirement for stronger growth is political stability. That is why it is essential that we see devolution restored.