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

Select Committee
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee HC 1193 23 March 2026
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 13 items (8 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 13 of 13 classified)
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 2
Rejected 3
Government response
1st Special Report – Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors: Government Response · published 25 Jun 2026
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Recommendations & Conclusions

3 results
4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
SMEs are the dominant business structure in Northern Ireland.
Recommendation
SMEs are the dominant business structure in Northern Ireland. If they are to innovate, take risks and build economic growth in NI, they need specific support, particularly in navigating dual market access to the EU and UK internal markets. Currently, … Read more
Government Response Summary
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.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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5 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The Government should establish a completely overarching one-stop shop for NI SMEs trading in goods...
Recommendation
The Government should establish a completely overarching one-stop shop for NI SMEs trading in goods and services. This facility should bring together support on accessing innovation funding, trading East-West, North-South and more widely in the EU, as well as wider … Read more
Government Response Summary
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.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The Government should urgently reverse the capital-revenue split of the new Local Growth Fund in...
Recommendation
The Government should urgently reverse the capital-revenue split of the new Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland. Failing this, the NIO should work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, HM Treasury and the NI Executive urgently to … Read more
Government Response Summary
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.
Northern Ireland Executive Northern Ireland Office
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