The Joint Ministerial Task Force on Banking and Access to Finance, which I chair, has been encouraging greater Northern Ireland participation in UK-wide access to finance schemes.<\/p>
As reported in \u2018Building a Prosperous and United Community: One Year On\u2019<\/em>, UK Government schemes are having an increasing impact for businesses in Northern Ireland. The Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme delivered £5.1 million in 2013-14, an increase from the previous year and bringing total Northern Ireland funding from this scheme to £36.1 million. The Business Finance Partnership and Start-up Loans schemes have also delivered £2.4 million and £400,000 respectively in their first year in Northern Ireland. The Task Force will continue its work and will discuss the progress being made at its autumn meeting.<\/p> I recently took part in a series of discussions in Belfast with banks active in Northern Ireland to encourage them to take part in schemes supported by the Busines Bank and Invest NI.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1500", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Theresa Villiers"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment the Joint Ministerial Task Force on Banking and Access to Finance has made of the effect in Northern Ireland of UK-wide interventions to promote business in Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/441", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Ivan Lewis"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/77720", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/77720/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " 37 Officials in my department have remained at the same grade since 2010, broken down by grade as follows:<\/p> <\/p> SCS = 2, A = 4, B = 3, C = 7, D = 10, E = 8, F = 3.<\/p> <\/p> Home Civil Servants in Bands A-F in my department follow MOJ terms and conditions, including pay. Accordingly NIO staff at these grades were subject to a 3 year pay freeze until August 2013 when a 1% pay rise was awarded in line with the Government\u2019s directive on public sector pay.<\/p> <\/p> Staff at grades A-F who were rated as outstanding in their annual performance report for 2013 received a 2% pay rise. Given the small numbers who received an outstanding marking, it would not be appropriate to provide any further breakdown as to do so could risk the identification of the individuals concerned.<\/p> <\/p> Pay for SCS members of staff is regulated by the Senior Salaries Review Board. Neither of the two SCS in my department, who have been here since 2010, has had a pay rise.<\/p> <\/p> This response does not cover Northern Ireland Civil Servants seconded to the NIO from NI departments as they remain on terms and conditions of their home department, including pay.<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many officials employed by her Department, of each grade, have remained at that grade since 2010 but received a pay rise; and how much of a rise each such person at each such grade has received.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/77723", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/77723/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Earlier in the year I met with the Government Shipping and Ports Minister to discuss how best to support work on maximising the potential of Belfast Port. I recently visited the Port and discussed this work with the Northern Ireland Executive Minister for Regional Development and the Chairman of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners.<\/p> As set out in Building<\/em> a Prosperous and United Community: One Year On<\/em>, the Government will continue to support the Executive in its work on maximising the potential of Belfast Port. This will include sharing further information about the announced reforms at the Port of Dover and their implementation.<\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1500", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Theresa Villiers"}
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, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in what ways she is supporting the Northern Ireland Executive in maximising the potential of Belfast port.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/441", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Ivan Lewis"}
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