Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his response. He and I both know that when it comes to driving economic growth, whether it is in Wales or Northern Ireland, we are always better together. Given that both Wales and Northern Ireland face similar challenges with rural economic development and in supporting our vital small business sectors, what specific lessons has the Department shared with the Northern Ireland Office and the devolved Executive to ensure that targeted regional growth strategies work collectively to strengthen the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Answer
The hon. Gentleman mentions rural economic development. We are extending the 3.7p cut to red diesel to July 2027, and suspending tariffs on fertiliser. We are removing the 4% tariff on heating oil, which will support 105,000 Welsh households, and I am sure that many of his constituents will also benefit. We had productive talks at the National Economic Council in Glasgow. Of course, it was unfortunate that the Northern Irish Government were not represented in those talks, but we will certainly continue to work closely with the hon. Gentleman and others to ensure strong co-operation and collaboration across all the nations that make up our United Kingdom.6% point-scoring 11% vibes
Verdict: RED (12/100)
The reply does not answer the question asked. The question was about what lessons had been shared with the Northern Ireland Office or the devolved Executive on regional growth strategies, and the reply names no such lessons. It offers only a general commitment to work closely across the nations, and its specific points concern energy and tariff support rather than regional growth strategy. A member of the public would likely need to ask again for the specific information requested.
Verdict: RED (12/100)
The question asked which specific lessons had been shared with the Northern Ireland Office and the devolved Executive on regional growth strategies. The reply does not name any lessons, mechanisms or shared strategy content. It mentions National Economic Council talks, the Northern Irish Government's absence from them, and a general commitment to cross-UK co-operation, but most of its text concerns red diesel, heating oil and fertiliser tariffs, which is a different policy area. The asker would most likely need to submit a follow-up to get the specific information they requested.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What specific lessons the Department has shared with the Northern Ireland Office and the devolved Executive on targeted regional growth strategies, including rural economic development and support for small businesses. | Partially Addressed | Hedged MISREADS QUESTION | The reply never identifies any lesson shared with the Northern Ireland Office or the devolved Executive on regional growth strategies. It mentions the National Economic Council and the absence of the Northern Irish Government, and it promises to "work closely" across the nations, but that is a generic commitment with no concrete content. Its substantive policy points (red diesel, fertiliser and heating oil tariffs, Welsh households) concern energy and tariff support rather than targeted regional growth strategy, so it largely answers a different question. |
| What specific lessons has the Department shared with the Northern Ireland Office and the devolved Executive on regional growth strategies, so that they work collectively across the UK? | Partially Addressed | Hedged MISREADS QUESTION | The question asks for specific lessons shared with the NIO and the devolved Executive on regional growth strategies, but the reply names no lessons, mechanisms or shared strategy content. It mentions National Economic Council talks, the Northern Irish Government's absence from them, and a generic commitment to cross-UK co-operation, which only loosely touch on collective working. Most of the reply concerns red diesel, heating oil and fertiliser tariffs, which is a different policy area. |