Carla Lockhart MP, the Democratic Unionist Party representative for Upper Bann, challenged the Chancellor in the House of Commons. She requested urgent government intervention to support Northern Ireland industries facing supply chain disruptions and halted construction projects.

Lockhart stated that businesses and workers in Northern Ireland deal with empty shelves and crippled supply chains as a daily reality. She said major industrial sectors have protested in the streets over the situation.

The MP attributed the problems to government policies set in Whitehall. She noted that these policies ignore challenges specific to Northern Ireland.

Lockhart said fuel duties damage agriculture, logistics, and supply chains in the region. She added that carbon taxes affect local industry disproportionately.

She argued that vital sectors supporting economic resilience and national security face severe pressure. Lockhart demanded cuts to fuel duties, elimination of carbon taxes, and targeted support for key industries.

In a separate development, the Treasury conducted an Open Book Review of Stormont's finances. The review found that Northern Ireland receives £1.24 for every £1 spent on comparable public services in England. Some departments spend more than that ratio.