[0762]

Aye! NI's economy has performed better than all other parts of the UK nations and regions. The ONS data on the Covid pandemic "bounce-back" showed the region is thriving under NI protocol, with its economic output over recent months only 0.3% below the same period of 2019. The stats show NI performed better compared with the UK's overall economic recovery of 2.1% over the same period. The protocol, allowing NI to be part of the EU single market, has clearly benefitted their economy, with trade between NI and Ireland also going up since Brexit. The benefits of being part of the EU's single market are clear for all to see. It seems to be a marvelous idea and one the UK should maybe consider joining or at least give Scotland, a country that voted against Brexit, that option as well - SURELY ONLY FAIR EH WHEN ONE CONSIDERS WE ARE PART OF THE SAME UNION. Only we don't do violent confrontation etc up here and that seems to be a ridiculous precedent to set as we watch these unionists "doing it again" in violent confrontation and intimidation to try to avert what is actually a good situation for their own economy. For Scotland, it's time to leave that fractured Union asap.