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1697609

registered interest
date	20/03/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Personal Income
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the evidential basis is for increasing the minimum income requirement (MIR) to £38,700 for certain family and work visas; if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the MIR on those affected in (a) Derry City and Strabane and (b) other regions where average gross annual earnings are below the national average; and if he will ensure that the Government's planned impact assessment of increasing the MIR includes an equality impact assessment.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	19742
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>Analytical work has been undertaken across Government to support decision making in this process. A fact sheet and an initial assessment on the impact of the changes on immigration can be found on GOV.UK at:</p><p><a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Ffact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail&amp;data=05%7C02%7CKauser.Hussain%40hmpo.gov.uk%7C07fd5d56acda425cfc5f08dc169d5ce6%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638410112332241133%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Rxcx1%2BV8UO%2B3AeG9JVQCHh4S%2BanxdGhsEYiAzJknRVw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fact-sheet-on-net-migration-measures-further-detail</strong></a></p><p>and</p><p><a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Flegal-migration-statement-estimated-immigration-impacts%2Flegal-migration-statement-estimated-immigration-impacts-accessible&amp;data=05%7C02%7CKauser.Hussain%40hmpo.gov.uk%7C07fd5d56acda425cfc5f08dc169d5ce6%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638410112332241133%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2FYQ3Gb5f2kSk9ToBklx%2F0Ov%2BlSOcpaXGWKetDPQ2M2M%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-migration-statement-estimated-immigration-impacts/legal-migration-statement-estimated-immigration-impacts-accessible</strong></a>.</p><p> </p><p>A full Regulatory Impact Assessment on these changes has been developed and the Government will publish this alongside an Equality Impact Assessment on this change, both in due course.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 25/03/2024 16:51:17 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1697184

registered interest
date	19/03/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance his Department issues on the requirements for customs declarations for business-to-business shipments exceeding the value of £135 between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	19509
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government has recently issued guidance on the long-term arrangements for business-to-business parcels which is available on gov.uk - <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-parcels-from-great-britain-to-northern-ireland-under-the-windsor-framework-from-30-september-2024" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-parcels-from-great-britain-to-northern-ireland-under-the-windsor-framework-from-30-september-2024</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 22/03/2024 12:34:45 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1695452

registered interest
date	12/03/2024
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Sean Brown
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will call a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown in 1997.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	18318
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The murder of Sean Brown was an appalling act. I acknowledge the great suffering it has caused and continues to cause the Brown family, and the wider community.</p><p>I am currently taking appropriate advice and considering the Coroner’s report.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 19/03/2024 11:25:24 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris previous answer version 23985 answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1689224

registered interest
date	16/02/2024
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Music Export Growth Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish eligibility criteria for funding artists under the Music Export Growth Scheme; whether the political (a) beliefs and (b) activities of applicants are taken into consideration; and for what reason the band Kneecap has not been granted funding.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	14151
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>Applicants for the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) must confirm they meet the minimum criteria. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) acting as our delivery partner convenes an independent Selection Panel which then makes recommendations to the Department for Business and Trade on MEGS grant awards<strong>.</strong></p><p>Subsequently, the BPI, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS), as MEGS co-funder, all carry out due diligence on recommended grant recipients. Following this, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade makes the final grant decisions, in consultation with DCMS. &quot;Kneecap&quot; did not pass the due diligence process. A Pre-Action Protocol letter has been received and no further comment will be made at this time.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake question first answered 29/02/2024 10:42:18 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1689548

registered interest
date	16/02/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: USA
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many officials from his Department worked in the US by (a) embassy and consulate and (b) grade in each financial year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	14447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2024 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td>a 1) FCDO/xFCO Headcount for UK based staff working in USA Embassy and Consulates only 2014-2023</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td>March 2014</td><td>March 2015</td><td>March 2016</td><td>March 2017</td><td>March 2018</td><td>March 2019</td><td>March 2020</td><td>March 2021</td><td>March 2022</td><td>March 2023</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Atlanta</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Boston</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Chicago</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Houston</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Los Angeles</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Miami</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>New York (CG)</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>San Francisco</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Washington</td><td>40-49</td><td>40-49</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>50-59</td><td>40-49</td><td>40-49</td><td>50-59</td><td>40-49</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>a 2) FCDO/xFCO Headcount for CBS/Locally Engaged staff working in USA Embassy and Consulates only 2014-2023</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td>March 2014</td><td>March 2015</td><td>March 2016</td><td>March 2017</td><td>March 2018</td><td>March 2019</td><td>March 2020</td><td>March 2021</td><td>March 2022</td><td>March 2023</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Atlanta</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>10-19</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Boston</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Chicago</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Houston</td><td>30-39</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>10-19</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Los Angeles</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Miami</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>20-29</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>New York (CG)</td><td>60-69</td><td>60-69</td><td>30-39</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>San Francisco</td><td>30-39</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>60-69</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Washington</td><td>160-179</td><td>140-159</td><td>140-159</td><td>160-179</td><td>140-159</td><td>160-179</td><td>160-179</td><td>160-179</td><td>160-179</td><td>160-179</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>b 1)FCDO/xFCO/xDFID Headcount for UK based staff working in all USA Locations 2014-2023</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td>March 2014</td><td>March 2015</td><td>March 2016</td><td>March 2017</td><td>March 2018</td><td>March 2019</td><td>March 2020</td><td>March 2021</td><td>March 2022</td><td>March 2023</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>AA / AO/ EO</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>HEO</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>SEO</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>G7</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td><td>30-39</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>G6</td><td>10-19</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>SCS</td><td>20-29</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>b 2) FCDO/xFCO/xDFID Headcount for CBS/LE/SAIC working in all USA Locations 2014-2023</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td>March 2014</td><td>March 2015</td><td>March 2016</td><td>March 2017</td><td>March 2018</td><td>March 2019</td><td>March 2020</td><td>March 2021</td><td>March 2022</td><td>March 2023</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>S1/S2/S3</td><td>440-459</td><td>50-59</td><td>50-59</td><td>50-59</td><td>40-49</td><td>50-59</td><td>50-59</td><td>50-59</td><td>50-59</td><td>50-59</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>AA/AO</td><td>70-79</td><td>60-69</td><td>60-69</td><td>80-89</td><td>80-89</td><td>90-99</td><td>90-99</td><td>80-89</td><td>90-99</td><td>90-99</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>EO</td><td>140-159</td><td>70-79</td><td>70-79</td><td>70-79</td><td>80-89</td><td>70-79</td><td>80-89</td><td>80-89</td><td>70-79</td><td>70-79</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>HEO</td><td>80-89</td><td>50-59</td><td>60-69</td><td>70-79</td><td>70-79</td><td>70-79</td><td>70-79</td><td>80-89</td><td>80-89</td><td>80-89</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>SEO</td><td>20-29</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>G7</td><td>20-29</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td><td>10-19</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>G6/SCS</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td><td>Fewer than 10</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In line with FCDO data retention rules data is not held prior to 2014.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 26/02/2024 17:34:45 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley previous answer version 18479 answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1682135

registered interest
date	15/01/2024
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Transport
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence his Department had with (i) the Northern Ireland Office, (ii) the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure and (iii) Translink on the Union Connectivity Review Report between publication of that Report and the Government response.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	9701
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2024 answer text <p>As you will appreciate, most transport matters are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. The UK Government’s Transport Ministers engaged with their counterparts when the Northern Ireland Executive was in place. In the absence of an Executive, officials have continued to liaise regularly with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Translink on the recommendations made by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s independent Union Connectivity Review. This resulted in the UK Government providing funding support for three rail connectivity studies in Northern Ireland. The Department for Transport also engaged regularly with the Northern Ireland Office at official and ministerial level to discuss UK connectivity matters.</p> answering member constituency Bexhill and Battle answering member printed Huw Merriman question first answered 19/01/2024 13:34:49 answering member 4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1671509

registered interest
date	20/11/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Biometric Residence Permits
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his timetable is for resolving technical faults relating to the issuing of Biometric Residence Permit cards.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	2690
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2023 answer text <p>The incidences of technical issues preventing Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) card production are very low. Where issues are encountered, operational case working teams and IT Support endeavour to resolve the issue swiftly without any adverse impacts for the applicant.</p><p>For the very small proportion of cases that could not be resolved immediately, the Employer Checking Service (ECS) and Landlord Checking Service (LCS) are available to provide support to applicants to verify their immigration status and permission to work and rent properties in the UK.</p><p>Longer term, the Home Office is developing a border and immigration system which will be digital by default. The ambition is to phase out physical documents, such as BRP’s, before the end of 2024 as we move towards a system of online evidence of immigration status (eVisas).</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 23/11/2023 17:34:54 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1662998

registered interest
date	13/10/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Green Deal Scheme: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason Northern Ireland is not included in the Green Deal loan scheme.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	200852
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>Energy policy in Northern Ireland is devolved so the decision on whether to operate a Green Deal scheme is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 23/10/2023 11:42:07 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1660216

registered interest
date	12/09/2023
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an estimate of the potential costs for implementing the (a) Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill and (b) Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	199232
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2023 answer text <p>£250 million has been allocated to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill and the non-legislative memorialisation measures announced alongside it. This includes costs for the establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, and its work. These funds were set aside for legacy mechanisms under the Stormont House Agreement and the New Decade, New Approach agreement. Work to design and implement the body, including how funds will be deployed, continues.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wycombe answering member printed Mr Steve Baker question first answered 19/09/2023 08:56:19 answering member 4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1660231

registered interest
date	12/09/2023
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Economic Growth: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department has taken to increase opportunities for economic growth in (a) Foyle constituency and (b) Northern Ireland in the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	199236
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2023 answer text <p>At Spending Review 2021, the government announced a £1.6 billion commitment to the nations and regions including £70m to provide a new Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, delivered by the British Business Bank. Other British Business Bank programmes are demand-led, without any geographical allocation.</p><p> </p><p>Government supports early-stage entrepreneurs from all areas of the UK through the Start Up Loans Company. As of August 2023, 87 loans were issued to SMEs in Foyle, with a total value of £609,680.</p><p> </p><p>Department for Business and Trade officials based in Northern Ireland also support local businesses to export and expand internationally.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake question first answered 18/09/2023 13:27:32 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood