Swann Demands Action for South Antrim in King’s Speech Response

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has used his response to the King’s Speech to demand that the Government delivers "life-changing" infrastructure and lower costs for Northern Ireland.

In his speech to the House of Commons, Mr Swann challenged the Government to ensure that new legislation has real-world benefits for South Antrim.

Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Swann said:

"The implications of the Bills in the King’s Speech have the potential to be truly life-changing. For example, there would be opportunities for my constituency if the powerhouse rail Bill and the railways and passenger benefits Bill could be brought to Northern Ireland, opening up the Knockmore line and Belfast International airport."

On the cost of living for motorists and households, he added:

"There is an opportunity for this Government to come into Northern Ireland and make a real difference in car insurance, if they were to take the powers proposed in the Bill to regulate claims management companies in Northern Ireland in the same way as they do across the rest of the United Kingdom."

"If Northern Ireland was fully integrated with the GB energy market, we would see a 20% reduction in our electricity bills."

Mr Swann also raised the "triple jeopardy" facing the local steel industry and the pressures on the agri-food sector following his recent visit to the Balmoral Show. He said:

"The continual message was that agriculture in Northern Ireland is being strangled by some of the regulations coming from the European Union, preventing us from bringing forward a truly world-leading agricultural industry.

"Our steel importers will also face a triple jeopardy of global levies... That plethora of additional costs on raw material coming into Northern Ireland is not balanced out when we hear that this Government want to invest in our small businesses."

Following the debate, Mr Swann said:

"A King’s Speech allows a government to provide a reset. If this Government is serious about building national prosperity, then that must include Northern Ireland. I will continue to hold the Prime Minister to account to ensure that the people of South Antrim are not left behind.”