UK ministers to meet first and deputy first ministers at East‑West Council

UK Government ministers are to meet with the first and deputy first ministers at the East-West Council in Belfast on Thursday.

The East-West Council is a forum for key representatives from government, civil society and businesses from across the UK to advance shared opportunities and address shared challenges.

Formed as part of the Safeguarding the Union command paper, the body has met three times, with Thursday’s meeting being the second in Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Northern Ireland minister Matthew Patrick will be joined by Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, and Education minister Olivia Bailey from the UK Government.

Representing the Northern Ireland Executive will be First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Education Minister Paul Givan.

Former first minister and DUP peer Baroness Arlene Foster will also be in attendance in her current role as chairwoman of Intertrade UK, a body formed through the Safeguarding the Union command paper, which is receiving a £2.25 million funding boost.

The meeting will include an update on a UK school twinning programme pilot focused on reading, which is being developed between the education departments at Westminster and Stormont.

Before engagements, Mr Patrick will visit schools in Belfast alongside Mr Givan and Ms Bailey.

Mr Benn said the East-West Council “demonstrates this Government’s commitment to connectivity and strong relationships”.

“The UK Government is working to build relationships and initiatives which improve opportunities for people in Northern Ireland and across the UK,” he said.

Mr Patrick said: “I have been clear from the start that in addition to a record settlement from the Northern Ireland Executive, I want to ensure that expertise is shared between UK Government departments and the NI Executive.”