Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any action she is taking to ensure greater urgency, in relation to grid connection timelines for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in the north; and (ii) any consideration she has made of the benefits of introducing target timelines for … Continue reading AQW 54241/22-27 – Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps she is taking to support small businesses in rural areas in offering apprenticeships to young people. Minister for the Economy: My Department’s ApprenticeshipsNI and Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA) programmes support employers across the north, including small businesses in rural … Continue reading AQW 54627/22-27 – Apprenticeships in small businesses in rural areas
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, regarding the VAT cut on electricity bills announced by the British Government on 21 July 2026, to detail any measures her Department will take to ensure that residents will receive comparable support with the cost of living this winter. Minister for the Economy: … Continue reading AQW 53739/22-27 – VAT cut on electricity bills
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, to detail any recent discussions she has had with (i) the hospitality sector; and (ii) the British Government, on the reduction of VAT on hospitality services. Minister for the Economy: The 20% VAT rate that local hospitality and tourism businesses face, compared to … Continue reading AQW 53743/22-27 – VAT on hospitality services
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of productivity in the construction industry, including any steps she is taking to improve it. Minister for the Economy: Based on recent data and survey evidence my assessment is positive. According to NISRA, output per … Continue reading AQW 53393/22-27 – Productivity in the construction industry
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps she is taking to support digital literacy amongst older people. Minister for the Economy: I am committed to reducing the digital skills gap and ensuring that people of all ages can participate fully and safely in an increasingly digital … Continue reading AQW 53277/22-27 – Digital literacy amongst older people
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 47278/22-27, whether any assessment has been made of the impact on local manufacturers of the British Government’s introduction on 1 July 2026 of new, reduced, quotas and increased tariffs on imported steel. Minister for the Economy: My officials are in … Continue reading AQW 53627/22-27 – Reduced quotas and increased tariffs on imported steel
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, to detail any assessment her Department has made of employers use of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment on the employment prospects of women and older workers. Minister for the Economy: I have not commissioned a specific assessment in that regard. However, I have established … Continue reading AQW 53392 22-27 – Use of AI in recruitment
