Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government have taken to encourage Northern Ireland Government Departments through (a) the Programme for Government and (b) other initiatives to (i) use and (ii) maximise Financial Transactions Capital to deliver departmental objectives with third party organisations and partners.

The Treasury sets the Northern Ireland administration’s overall Financial Transaction Capital budget through the normal operation of the Barnett formula.

The allocation and use of Financial Transactions Capital is a devolved function and a matter for the Northern Ireland administration.

Further to this funding, the UK government is committed to supporting the Northern Ireland economy. This is demonstrated, for example, by the £400m the government is investing in City Deals for Belfast and Derry/Londonderry and Strabane City Region.