Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on trade between Wales and Northern Ireland.

Trade within the UK internal market is vital to our economic prosperity and is a key part of the Government's commitment to strengthen the Union, bringing us closer together. Trade across the Irish Sea with Scotland, Wales and England accounts for nearly sixty per cent of Northern Ireland’s total external trade. Trade between Wales and Northern Ireland is important to the success of both economies, and the Government remains committed to strengthening these routes, to level up all parts of the United Kingdom.

I am delighted that Northern Ireland recently hosted the Board of Trade, which discussed opportunities for growth in digital trade across the UK. It brought together Cabinet ministers and trade advisers to highlight Northern Ireland's fantastic businesses, and opportunities for investment.

We are committed to boosting overseas exports from Northern Ireland, and the Department for International Trade has established a hub in Northern Ireland to assist businesses to export. Invest NI, the Department for International Trade and the Northern Ireland Office will do everything they can to promote Northern Ireland’s excellent goods and services.