UK government ‘stands ready’ to resume talks on NI corporation tax cuts

Northern Ireland should be given more powers to cut taxes to boost business, Tory MPs have said.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Patterson has urged the Government to resume talks with the restored Northern Ireland Executive on the introduction of a differentiated level of corporation tax to compete with the Republic from Ireland.

Answering questions from Northern Ireland in the House of Commons, Minister for Northern Ireland Robin Walker said the UK government ‘stands ready’ to resume talks on corporate tax cuts .

Tory backbench Laurence Robertson added: “As well as discussing corporation tax, which he should, will he also look at tourism VAT levels and air passenger rights ( ODA) with the executive as I understand both have been reduced in the Republic of Ireland?

Mr Walker added: ‘Northern Ireland’s tourism potential is enormous and I can confirm to him, as previously engaged, that this government is reviewing the decentralization of ODA and that review is ongoing.’

Although the UK Parliament passed the Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) Act in 2015, powers to delegate powers to set corporation tax rates to the Northern Ireland Assembly do not have not yet been used.

The level of corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland is 12.5% ​​compared to 19% in the UK.

Earlier, Northern Ireland Shadow Secretary Tony Lloyd asked if Boris Johnson was right in saying there would be no checks between goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland .

The Prime Minister has been clear, beyond our obligations under international law, there will be no changes to the movement of goods between Britain and Northern IrelandRobin Walker, Minister for Northern Ireland

Mr Lloyd said: ‘The Prime Minister is clear there will be, EU negotiator Michel Barnier is clear there will be, many people in industry and commerce in Northern Ireland believe that there will be some.

“Does the minister agree there will be checks or is he saying there will be no checks between goods going from GB to Northern Ireland?”

Northern Ireland Minister Robin Walker responded: ‘The Prime Minister has been clear, beyond our obligations under international law, there will be no change to the movement of goods between Great Britain. Britain and Northern Ireland and when discussing the protocol with the EU, the UK will be ambitious. about the flexibility that we can make this system.

Mr Lloyd replied: “The Minister is of course right that the Prime Minister has been perfectly clear. A very simple question for the Minister – is the Prime Minister right or wrong?

Mr Walker replied: ‘I tell Mr Walker the Prime Minister is always right.’