Speeches by Jogee.

“Good morning, all. Secretary of State, you know that this Committee is conducting an inquiry into economic growth in Northern Ireland; this will follow on very well from your previous answer. In much of our engagement, we have heard about opportunities and also some of the challenges, from infrastructure and productivi…”

“The reliance on ASF to keep the PSNI going.”

“Sir George Hamilton, the former chief constable, described the current set-up with additional security funding as “disjointed” and “untidy”. Originally, as you touched on, it made up for an executive shortfall, but it is very concerning that we are in a situation with no guarantee that that funding will be continued. H…”

“Thank you. In your answer to my written question of 20 February—thank you for all your answers to my written questions—you said that you had recently met the chair of Intertrade UK, Baroness Foster. She was appointed as chair 18 months ago; she gave evidence to the Committee recently. What do you think that organisatio…”

“The petition states: “The petition of residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Declares that there is growing concern in Madeley about proposals that would limit public access to College Fields, a green space that has been used by the community for many years; further declares that the prospect of fencing…”

“I am grateful to my other constituency neighbour for giving way—there is a theme about the quality and condition of our roads in Staffordshire. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for setting out the situation in her constituency, and I just want to make it clear that the same situation is also happening in Newcastle- unde…”

“I am grateful to my hon. Friend for setting out the danger to our county in not taking this issue seriously. I know that he shares my horror about the case of my constituent, who was knocked down as he took his daughter to school in December 2025. Luckily, he pushed his daughter away, and he was not killed, but it was …”

“The Sudanese diaspora in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme will welcome the statement today, and I thank the Foreign Secretary for her leadership in travelling to the region—we have to be seen to be believed. I welcome the programme of sanctions that has been announced, because we must do whatever we can to end th…”

“Thank you. That is very comprehensive and reflects many of the points that we heard when we engaged with businesses on the ground. If you could get the UK Government to address one of those barriers, which would it be?”

“So it is easier not to?”

“We all know that there are different views on the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union: why, what, the impact and the rest. We obviously have to make a success of it—that is important for everybody. Given some of the concerns, and the particular impact that leaving the EU has had on Northern Ireland and N…”

“Good morning and welcome to the Committee, Mr McCabrey. I have quite a focused question: can you identify for us the challenges and barriers facing Northern Ireland businesses as they seek to trade both with Great Britain and with the Republic of Ireland?”

“So it is easier not to?”

“Thank you, I’ll see you in Newcastle-under-Lyme.”

“In relation to your point about trade anywhere, can I ask what engagement the board will have, has had or may think to have with Departments across Government? The Trade Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, is travelling the world doing lots of things. I am particularly interested in the potential of the Commonwealth to boost t…”

“Thank you, Baroness Foster, for your comprehensive answers so far this morning. I was very pleased to hear your reference, in response to Mr Robinson, to a regional approach. Staffordshire—Newcastle-under-Lyme—is a great place to do business. We would happily have you and the board come to see us, and there are lots of…”

“Not to take you back in time, Baroness Foster, but can you give us a flavour of how engaged and interested the current Northern Ireland Executive is in the work of Intertrade UK?”

“In relation to your point about trade anywhere, can I ask what engagement the board will have, has had or may think to have with Departments across Government? The Trade Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, is travelling the world doing lots of things. I am particularly interested in the potential of the Commonwealth to boost t…”

“Thank you, Baroness Foster, for your comprehensive answers so far this morning. I was very pleased to hear your reference, in response to Mr Robinson, to a regional approach. Staffordshire—Newcastle-under-Lyme—is a great place to do business. We would happily have you and the board come to see us, and there are lots of…”

“Thank you. That is very comprehensive and reflects many of the points that we heard when we engaged with businesses on the ground. If you could get the UK Government to address one of those barriers, which would it be?”