Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the number of jobs in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

The economy in Northern Ireland remains strong. The unemployment rate is down to 4.0 per cent over the year, the lowest since the great recession in 2008, and those receiving unemployment-related benefits has decreased again, falling by more than 26,000 claimants since early 2010. More than 10,000 new jobs were created in Northern Ireland over the year, meaning more people with the security of a regular pay packet for themselves and their family.

We are committed to securing a deal that works for the entire United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. That is outlined in the Northern Ireland and Ireland Position Paper, published on 16 August 2017. We are positive about the opportunities that our departure presents to Northern Ireland – getting out into the world and doing business right across the globe, while at home building a UK that works for everyone. That is demonstrated by our desire to work with a restored Executive towards a comprehensive and ambitious set of City Deals for Northern Ireland, just as it is by the £4.7bn Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund that will help to deliver innovation, employment and growth right across the UK.