Speeches by Anderson.

“As a cross-sectoral business organisation, you are under pressure from all the sectors to prioritise them. That is really apparent when we get into discussions around the industrial strategy. Northern Ireland is well known for what it can do in agrifood and professional services, and certainly those sectors should not …”

“Thank you for the invitation to be here today. Our organisation is all about economic growth. We are cross-sectoral and cross-regional. About 47% of our members are Belfast-based and another 47% are outside and in the regions. We exist to help businesses to learn to promote what it is that they are doing to network. Pe…”

“You asked what we think would be helpful for this Committee to do and what would be helpful for the Government to do. You will see from our written submission that, aside from pressing for devolved representation on the various bodies that we mentioned, we would really like to delve into the unique competitiveness chal…”

“If I might, I want to pick up on Rob’s point around the role of Helen McCarthy. We have been very clear as an organisation for some time around the need for devolved representation on central Government ALBs and particularly, in this context, the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. It is really important that we have…”

“Touching on the infrastructure challenges, I have outlined some of them. It is particularly instructive if you look at the reports that the Audit Office has done since 2019. You have the major infrastructure report that it did in 2019. Then you have had subsequent reports on planning, waste water and skills, and, more …”

“That is a great question. I always welcome it when a politician opens by saying, “Leaving the politics aside”. It is a very fair question and a question that we have to consider. We are always looking for any competitive advantage that we can get. When you look at the official objective figures for exports, the figures…”

“I will come back to the initial question around where Northern Ireland is in terms of industrial strategy or economic strategy, call it what you will. It is our No.1 overall ask, as an organisation, of the Executive that they would develop an economic strategy with a long-term outlook. We really need to think about wha…”

“The hon. Member raises a very interesting point. China looked at this issue 30 years ago; when I went over to Australia about five years ago, the Australians were looking at it, and the US was looking at it, too. Every country outside of China has left this way too late. Putting in place a critical minerals strategy no…”

“Will the Minister give way?”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for talking highly of my constituency—Ludlow is lovely. Does he realise that austerity started under the Labour Government when they were last in power? They started measures to make cuts in 2008-09.”

“I am delighted to speak in this debate, because this is such an important topic for many of my constituents across South Shropshire. Both individuals and businesses need energy prices to come down—the cost is not sustainable, and it is on the wrong trajectory—and we need to be honest with the British people about the r…”

“I will conclude with that. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.”

“I will start that again, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am happy that the hon. Gentleman intervened. If he speaks to businesses across his constituency, they might say that they understand the tax hike, but I am asking if any of them support it. I am happy if he wants to intervene to say that they do. Despite the huge pressur…”

“I am happy that you intervened, and if you support tax hikes for your—”

“I will gladly take an intervention from any Labour Member whose local businesses say that the tax on local business is good. Anyone?”

“He raises a huge point. In my constituency of 700 square miles, the local pub and village hall are community hubs. After Remembrance Sunday, I took my family to the Queens in Ludlow. I have met many publicans across South Shropshire. Experienced publicans are still just able to keep trading on reserves, but they are no…”

“I certainly do. You raise a huge point—”

“It is interesting to follow the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Sam Rushworth), who clearly has an ideology that he believes. As a Conservative, I believe in lower taxes, and that people have a better understanding than Governments of how to spend their own money. I want to see more South Shropshire constituents keep …”

“You voted for it when voting for the Budget.”

“It is interesting that the hon. Member raises the moron increase. I point out that we are no longer in government. The hon. Member’s party was also in government from 2010 to 2015.”