To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on her Department's Brexit preparations in line with the Northern Ireland protocol; and how many people are working on ensuring compliance with the protocol.

My officials are working to ensure the Department and its Arm’s Length Bodies are as prepared as possible for the end of the transition period. This involves considering all of the Department’s legislation, services, policies and strategies to ensure they can respond to the new circumstances resulting from the implementation of the Protocol. I am also considering the measures that may be required to support businesses.

I attend the Executive’s Brexit sub-committee and my officials are working closely with those in other Departments to understand the implications and practical delivery of the Protocol and ensuring the Northern Ireland position is represented in the decision making structures in Whitehall.

The practical detail of how the Protocol will be implemented has not yet been agreed by the EU and UK Government, nor has the UK Government set out in detail how it will give effect to the commitments it made in New Decade, New Approach.

As the number of people working on ensuring compliance with the Protocol will ultimately depend on the detail of how it will be implemented, I cannot provide an exact number at this time.