Contributions
836 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThird substantive report of the Independent Reporting CommissionI have received the third substantive report from the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC). The IRC emanated from the “Fresh Start” agreement of November 2015. The agreement set…17 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKThe right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We provided a further £2 billion of funding to implement the New Decade, New Approach agreement. We have ring-fenced £140 million for…04 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKYes, I absolutely agree with the right hon. Gentleman. We are committed to the agreement and to scoping the potential for a Northern Ireland hub in London. It is something I…04 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKYes, absolutely. We have committed £617 million already—the city and growth deals programme in Northern Ireland, that is the largest across the United Kingdom—together with the…04 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKAbsolutely. It is imperative that we ensure that the UK internal market continues to function effectively and efficiently at the end of the transition period. A strong UK internal…04 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKIn the hon. Lady’s question, she outlined the answer about furlough in a sense, because the scheme has been in place. It was in place until the end of October and the Chancellor…04 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKThe 80% furlough scheme ran until the end of October, and the Government announced an extension so it will continue for businesses that need it until 2 December. The Treasury has…04 Nov 2020HANSARDUnion between Northern Ireland and the Rest of the UKWe have always as a Government stressed the importance of the Union. The UK is a family of nations and a Union of people that works for everyone. We share cultural, social and…04 Nov 2020HANSARDReferendum on the Future of Northern IrelandMy apologies for not being with you in person, Mr Speaker, but as you know, I am self-isolating at the moment. The UK Government are fully committed to the requirements set out in…04 Nov 2020HANSARDReferendum on the Future of Northern IrelandI simply do not agree with that outline. Apart from the discussions that I have had with food producers and, indeed, the suppliers and retailers of food across Northern Ireland,…04 Nov 2020HANSARDReferendum on the Future of Northern IrelandI agree with the hon. Gentleman in the sense of people having a strong constitutional debate. We are seeing that across the United Kingdom and I encourage it; I think it is…04 Nov 2020HANSARDIreland/Northern Ireland Protocol: Consent Mechanism RegulationsI am today laying before both Houses of Parliament a draft of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (Democratic Consent Process) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which will, if…02 Nov 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolI thought that I had actually answered the hon. Gentleman’s point. I am meeting businesses on a regular basis. The business engagement forum talks to businesses across a range of…30 Sept 2020HANSARDNew Decade, New Approach: ImplementationYes. My hon. Friend makes a very good point. He is absolutely right about delivering on that in full both in the legislation we will need to pass in this House, which we will…30 Sept 2020HANSARDNew Decade, New Approach: ImplementationYes. My hon. Friend makes a very good point. The deal is a good example of ensuring that the Northern Ireland Executive are able to function and flow. They have worked very well…30 Sept 2020HANSARDNew Decade, New Approach: ImplementationDespite the need to focus on covid-19, quite rightly, good progress has still been made in a number of areas in delivering on the new decade, new approach agreement. We have been…30 Sept 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolI appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s point about businesses wanting as much certainty as they can get. We are still working through things with the specialist Joint Committee, but we…30 Sept 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolWe continue to engage regularly with stakeholders from across Northern Ireland and beyond on the implementation of the protocol. We have heard loud and clear the need for further…30 Sept 2020HANSARDUK Internal Market Bill: Good Friday AgreementAs I am sure the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, the co-operation has been shown to work exceedingly well, as we have seen in the past few weeks with the quite phenomenally…30 Sept 2020HANSARDUK Internal Market Bill: Good Friday AgreementThis Government will always make sure that the Belfast/Good Friday agreement is protected. I speak regularly with my colleagues on that very issue. We will not allow anything to…30 Sept 2020