AQW 23315/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/02/2025
Answered On Date: 11/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any engagement that has taken place between her Department and representatives of the (i) retail sector; and (ii) hospitality sector in relation to the impact of increased labour costs.

Answer:

On 13 January 2025, my predecessor met with representatives of 23 local business groups and chambers of commerce at Parliament Buildings to discuss issues relating to local high street businesses following the British Government’s Autumn Statement. Those in attendance represented Retail NI, Hospitality Ulster and Food NI along with several chambers of commerce. As Finance Minister, I, alongside a DfE official, met with Hospitality Ulster representatives on 22 January to discuss the implications of the Autumn Statement. My predecessor met with Colin Neill, CEO of Hospitality Ulster, and representatives from four of his member organisations on 29 January to discuss their concerns on the cost of doing business. My officials also regularly engage with Hospitality Ulster through a range of other fora. From this engagement I’m aware that the local retail and hospitality sectors have concerns about the impact of increased labour costs as a result of the British Government’s Autumn Statement. These concerns are being examined as part of Cost of Doing Business research which I commissioned as Finance Minister and which is due to be completed later this month. It will help build the evidence base for making the case for the Treasury to act on the cost of doing business here. My colleague, the Minister of Finance, highlighted the adverse impacts of the taxation system with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the Finance Interministerial Standing Committee on 27 February. I will work to support him and advocate alongside him where possible. We will continue to engage with businesses to help us in making persuasive representations to Treasury.