Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the progress on the delivery of Northern Ireland City Deals.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Prime Minister has set out his ambitious plan to invest in our future prosperity. Jobs, skills and infrastructure will be central to the UK Government’s New Deal which will unleash the economic potential within every corner of the UK. As part of this, the UK Government intends to bring forward funding to accelerate infrastructure projects in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and will work with the devolved administrations on our ambitious plan for economic recovery across the UK.
This ambition is also reflected in our commitment of £562m to City and Growth Deals across Northern Ireland (NI) which will drive economic growth and productivity in line with the key local priorities. The NI Executive has recently agreed to match the UK Government commitment to City and Growth Deals and the Inclusive Future Fund, bringing total investment to £1.2bn and highlighting what our partnership can achieve.
This partnership and long-term strategic investment will be vital in supporting Northern Ireland’s economic recovery following the impact and challenges presented by Covid-19. The Councils and their delivery partners are therefore working at speed to ensure their projects reflect the best opportunities for investment. Whilst Covid-19 has required some reassessment of local priorities, we are confident that progress is being made across each of the deals. I continue to engage regularly with the Chief Executives of the City and Growth Deals in Northern Ireland and my department is working closely with Councils and NI Executive colleagues to provide any support necessary to accelerate their implementation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on border infrastructure in Northern Ireland in the event of the UK leaving the transition period without a deal.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government remains optimistic and is working hard to reach an agreement with the EU on our future relationship. That is why we have agreed to an intensified talks process throughout July.
The Ireland and Northern Ireland Protocol will be delivered by the end of the Transition Period. There will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland and we see no need to build any.
We will be making the necessary adjustments to existing entry points for agrifood goods to provide for proportionate additional controls, including some checks to help movements of live animals and agri-food from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. This is in order to respect the pre-existing status of the island of Ireland as a single epidemiological unit. We will also work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive, and with the EU in the Joint Committee, to seek to simplify and minimise any requirements.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is working closely with colleagues across Cabinet and with minsters from the Northern Ireland Executive in support of this, taking account of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment the Government has made of the economy of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Robin Walker
Whilst the Northern Ireland economy has its challenges, I am confident that Northern Ireland has a promising economic future as we recover from this crisis. This Government will always stand by the people of Northern Ireland.
We want Northern Ireland not only to recover but to prosper. For this to happen we need to ensure that we are driving innovation and sustainability, enhancing connectivity, developing a skilled workforce, promoting exports and attracting investment.
We will continue to work collaboratively with businesses, the Northern Ireland Executive and local partners to get the economy back up and running, laying the foundations for a stable and sustainable economic future.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Robin Walker
The threat from dissident republican terrorism continues to be SEVERE in Northern Ireland. This Government’s first priority is to keep people safe and secure right across the United Kingdom. Vigilance against this continuing threat is essential and we remain determined to ensure that terrorism never succeeds.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the introduction of border checks on the island of Ireland.
Answered by Julian Smith
It is excellent news that the Northern Ireland Executive has been restored and that Stormont is once again up and running. I look forward to working with the Executive in the next phase of negotiations, including work with the UK-EU Joint Committee.
The Withdrawal Agreement achieves the common aim of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland: there will be no border checks on the land border. Movement between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is within the UK. This Government has been clear on its commitment to ensuring that Northern Ireland remains an integral part of the UK internal market. As set out in the agreed New Decade, New Approach deal, the Government will legislate to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the UK internal market, and ensure that this legislation is in force for 01 January 2021.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he last met the leadership of Sinn Fein.
Answered by Julian Smith
I last spoke to the leadership of Sinn Fein on 23 October.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the supply and confidence agreement arrangement between the Government and the Democratic Unionist Party on the Government's discussions with other political parties in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Julian Smith
The political talks with the Northern Ireland parties on restoring devolution are, quite rightly, handled separately from any confidence and supply discussions with our partners in the DUP.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he last met the leadership of the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
Answered by Julian Smith
I last spoke to the leadership of the SDLP on 17 October.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he last met the leadership of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Julian Smith
I last spoke to the leadership of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland on 25 October.