Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Economy on an investment zone in Northern Ireland; and when he plans to introduce such a zone in Northern Ireland.

The lack of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive has, of course, limited the scope and nature of engagement in Northern Ireland on Investment Zones. Although my officials meet with officials from the Department for Economy regularly, there is no Economy Minister to drive this work forward in Northern Ireland. In the event of a restoration of the Executive, we anticipate that an Investment Zone could be taken forward rapidly. In the event that the Executive is not formed, we will set out our plans in due course.