Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the a) Minister for Communities and b) Minister for the Economy in the Northern Ireland Executive about the adequacy of support for the brewing industry in Northern Ireland.

Since his appointment, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met with all the Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, including the Minister for Communities and the Minister for the Economy. Policies related to support for the brewing industry in Northern Ireland are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The brewing industry is a key sector in the UK economy, providing jobs and investment across the country, and the Prime Minister recently announced a 20 per cent discount to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England. Any associated Barnett consequentials for the NI Executive will be confirmed at the next fiscal event.