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
3 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report – Economic growth in No…
The UK Government and NI Executive need to work together more closely on economic issues,...
The UK Government and NI Executive need to work together more closely on economic issues, aligning their strategies and co-ordinating their delivery. The NIO should set this out in the “economic vision” referred to in its annual report, and publish … Read more
Government Response
The government shares the view on close collaboration and states its economic vision aims to address structural weaknesses and create conditions for growth. However, it rejects the recommendation to include specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives with numerical forecasts, stating this is not realistic.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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10 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report – Economic growth in No…
Future City and Growth Deals should include greater powers for local government in Northern Ireland.
Future City and Growth Deals should include greater powers for local government in Northern Ireland. Deals should also include complementary funding strands on both skills and core infrastructure. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation but states there are currently no plans for future City and Growth Deals. It acknowledges the importance of skills promotion, identifying it as a potential theme for the separate Local Growth Fund, but focuses on delivering current deals.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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12 Conclusion Rejected
4th Report – Economic growth in No…
Tackling economic inactivity is one of the keys to economic growth.
Tackling economic inactivity is one of the keys to economic growth. In Northern Ireland, this has been carried out largely by the community and voluntary sector using revenue funding. Under the forthcoming Local Growth Fund, the proportion of revenue funding … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges concerns about the 70-30 capital-revenue split for the Local Growth Fund but defends it as a new fund focused on long-term capital investment for economic growth. It refutes criticism of the NIO's effectiveness and highlights ongoing consultation.
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