4th Report – Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors

The government addresses the lack of clarity by detailing ongoing engagement with UK and NI departments and highlights the establishment of the Northern Ireland Growth Coordination Group (NIGCG). The NIGCG, which meets regularly, is tasked with coordinating policies and strategies to promote economic growth and ensure the Industrial Strategy utilizes Northern Ireland's strengths.

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.

The government acknowledges the importance of Northern Ireland's voice in UK-wide policy and states it is currently considering how NI voices can be more effectively heard within national policy development structures, including through representation on decision-making panels.

The government notes the committee's conclusion and confirms the Northern Ireland Business Support Service will act as a 'One Stop Shop' providing tailored digital regulatory advice for SMEs moving products, with core functionality operational in the 2026–27 financial year.

The government welcomes the recommendation and is committed to delivering an enhanced 'One Stop Shop' regulatory support service, backed by £16.6 million, which is expected to go live within this financial year, as scheduled.

The government welcomes the committee's reflections on Intertrade UK and endorses its potential as a source of advice, noting that it is now implementing its work programme. However, the response does not address the committee's concern about broadening Board membership or the time taken for establishment.

The government acknowledges the desire for broader representation on the Intertrade UK Board and states it has discussed this with the Chair, committing to consider further appointments in line with the organisation’s Terms of Reference.

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.

The government notes the committee's conclusion, agreeing on the potential of City and Growth Deals for regional growth, and confirms current deals are progressing. It states that existing deals already focus on infrastructure and employability/skills, and reaffirms confidence in local partners to design deals based on local needs.

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.

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.

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.

The government rejected the recommendation to reverse the capital-revenue split of the Local Growth Fund. However, they have taken action to identify alternative funding, including PEACEPLUS, and engaged with stakeholders to provide information and arrange sessions to expedite and streamline the application process for economic inactivity programming.