Secretary of State emphasises UK government’s priority is to preserve political stability in NI

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shailesh Vara MP met Stuart Anderson, head of Public Affairs for the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry, to discuss how the UK government can continue to support Northern Ireland’s businesses.

The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of Northern Ireland’s leading membership organisations, representing over 1,000 businesses.

In discussions, the Secretary of State emphasised his commitment to engaging with and supporting business across Northern Ireland.

He emphasised how the UK government’s overriding priority is to preserve political stability in Northern Ireland, and that a negotiated solution to the Protocol is the Government’s preferred option.

In the absence of a negotiated settlement, however, the Protocol Bill aims to fix the practical problems the implementation of the Protocol has created in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State commented after the meeting: “The UK Government is wholeheartedly committed to supporting Northern Ireland’s businesses, and it was excellent to engage in constructive dialogue with Stuart, to discuss ways in which we can develop skills and build prosperity for the future.

“I understand the challenges presented by the Protocol for many businesses across Northern Ireland, and I reiterated how the UK Government’s preference is to resolve these problems through talks, but that the aim of the Protocol Bill is to deliver practical solutions.”