The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has published the second and final report of its economic growth inquiry, concluding that the lack of an agreed budget is limiting the Executive's capacity to act. It highlights key constraints — from poor digital connectivity and wastewater capacity to underdeveloped road and rail networks — and sets out proposals to address them.

The report warns that the continuing failure to strike a budget is hampering delivery of essential infrastructure and skills development programmes and efforts to clear the planning backlog, dragging on growth and embedding long-term challenges for Northern Ireland businesses.

While many of the relevant policy levers are devolved, MPs say the UK Government also has a crucial role in supporting the region's economy. However, the Committee finds that the Northern Ireland Office's overall economic vision for the region remains unclear.

It reiterates an earlier demand for that vision to be published, alongside objectives and key performance indicators to gauge the effectiveness of UK Government interventions. The Committee also urges Westminster to give greater consideration to the impact of UK-wide policies on Northern Ireland, recommending that the NIO create structures to ensure the Department regularly hears Northern Ireland's views and conveys them across Whitehall.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said: "Long-standing shortcomings in Northern Ireland's vital physical and digital infrastructure are acting as a constraint to economic growth and preventing the many dynamic and innovative businesses we have in Northern Ireland from fulfilling their potential. The NI Executive needs to urgently get on with agreeing a budget so it can start properly breaking down these persistent barriers faced by businesses.

"The UK Government however also has a key role to play in ensuring Northern Ireland has a prosperous future. The new Secretary of State has pledged to focus on economic growth. He now has the chance to show that the UK Government has a clear and measurable vision for economic growth in Northern Ireland and that its voice is heard when it comes to making policy.

"There is clearly so much economic potential in Northern Ireland. It's now up to the UK Government and NI Executive to work together to give businesses the best chance of success and ensure a flourishing future for the NI economy."