Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 10 Jul 2025 Parliament page
Kickstarting economic growth is the number one mission for this Government’s term in office. In this inquiry, the committee will examine plans to deliver economic growth in Northern Ireland, including the recent UK Industrial Strategy, with a particular reference to emerging sectors or ‘industries of the future’. Read our call … Read more
8 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
2 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
15 Jul
2026
Correspondence
29 Jun
2026
Oral evidence
25 Jun
2026
Report published
3 Jun
2026
Oral evidence
23 Mar
2026
Report published
4 Mar
2026
Correspondence
4 Feb
2026
Oral evidence
7 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
19 Nov
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
29 Jun 2026
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Blair McDougall MP · Department for Business and Trade Matthew Patrick MP · Northern Ireland Office Paul Flynn · Northern Ireland Office Sally Jones · Department for Business and Trade
3 Jun 2026
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Richard Williams · Northern Ireland Screen Sam Turner · Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Queen's University Belfast Shane Corcoran · RenewableNI Shane Corcoran · RenewableNI Simon Whittaker · NI Cyber Steven Morrison · Agrifood and Bioscience Institute
4 Feb 2026
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Colin McCabrey · InterTradeIreland The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE · Intertrade UK
7 Jan 2026
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Alison McCullagh · Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Councillor Tim McClelland - Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) Steven Norris · Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
19 Nov 2025
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David Quinn · Queen's University Belfast Professor Paul Bartholomew · Ulster University Robert Hill · Matrix Panel Stuart Anderson · Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report – Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emergi… HC 1193 23 Mar 2026 13 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
2 results
Clear
8 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – Economic growth in No…
We have received no evidence to date that the Executive has a thought through or...
We have received no evidence to date that the Executive has a thought through or deliverable plan to address and reform the deficits in planning policy and processes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
Government Response
The government acknowledges planning delays in Northern Ireland but states it is a devolved matter for the Executive to address. It highlights its provision of £3m funding for the Department for Infrastructure's 'Transforming Planning project', which is on track to appoint inspectors by Q2 2026/27.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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11 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Economic growth in No…
The ‘economic vision’ that the NIO is developing, including time-bound objectives as we recommend earlier...
The ‘economic vision’ that the NIO is developing, including time-bound objectives as we recommend earlier in this report, should clearly set out how the Government will address the structural weaknesses associated with the largely devolved but unignorable policy areas of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that policy areas like skills, energy, planning, and infrastructure are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. While the NIO coordinates with the Executive and supports them with funding, the response does not detail how the economic vision itself will address these structural weaknesses or align with the infrastructure strategy.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 13 of 8 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 2
Rejected 3
Total 8 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
15 Jul 2026 Correspondence from Department for Business and trade relating to Economic Growth Follow Up – Pausing of the Export Champions Programme, dated 14 July 2026.
Parliament page
4 Mar 2026 Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the reserve claim of £400m for the Northern Ireland Executive, dated 27 February 2026.
Parliament page