Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Farry Excerpts

Monday 20th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

The new national planning policy framework ensures that the Planning Inspectorate will work with, not against, local communities. The Planning Inspectorate also has a wonderful new chief executive officer—an official from my Department who helped to deliver the homes for Ukraine programme and understands what communities need and want.

[Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance)]

T2. With around 1,000 jobs and 17,000 placements at stake in Northern Ireland, the shared prosperity fund is too little, too late for those organisations that are currently availing themselves of European social fund support. Can the Minister ensure that, at the very least, decisions on funding will be taken before the end of March to allow successful bids to continue without interruption?

[Michael Gove]

We will do everything we can to expedite that funding to Northern Ireland.