Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the redevelopment of Casement Park.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

EURO 2028 is a fantastic opportunity for the UK and Ireland to showcase world-class sport as hosts.

The UK Government is continuing to work closely with the Department for Communities regarding the cost and delivery of Casement Park. We remain committed to ensuring EURO 2028 leaves a lasting legacy across the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) coronavirus extension concession and (b) exceptional assurance concession on the average length of decision periods for applications for indefinite leave to remain.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

On 4 April 2024 a change was made to the Immigration Rules to provide that:

(a) Time spent in the UK during the Coronavirus extension concession grace period (1 August and 31 August 2020) would be considered as lawful presence where an applicant’s permission expired immediately before the grace period; and

(b) Overstaying in the UK when a person held an exceptional assurance concession would be disregarded during the period of grant of exceptional assurance.

Following this Immigration Rules change, decisions on applications for settlement where the person spent time in the UK for a period covered by these concessions are now being prioritised.

Where cases fall outside service standards, the Home Office write to the applicant to inform them of this.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware of delays in casework decisions where further advice on policy is sought.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

Our priority is to consider claims as efficiently and fairly as possible. This is best for claimants, but also reduces the number of people on asylum support, and in turn, the burden on taxpayers. There may be circumstances which may delay the progression of a case, for example waiting for evidence that is of importance in deciding a claim, or a change in country situation requiring an update in country and policy information notes leading to a pause in deciding cases.

In these circumstances, regular reviews are undertaken at appropriate intervals, dependant on the reason why the claim cannot be progressed. As soon as the reason why the claim cannot be progressed is lifted, consideration of the claim is continued.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of increased rates of breastfeeding on cost savings for the NHS.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The public health benefits of breastfeeding for child and maternal health are significant and well established. Research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that increasing breastfeeding rates, both in terms of duration and exclusivity, is likely to generate substantial cost savings to the National Health Service, although the actual amounts saved will depend on the extent of this increase.

Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme, we are investing £50 million to increase the range of specialist support, which is enabling more parents to access face-to-face and virtual support whenever they need it. One of the objectives of the programme is to improve the evidence base around the impact of breastfeeding interventions, and the specific combination of interventions that are effective in different circumstances. This is expected to strengthen the case for further, more widespread investment in the future.

Found: Staffordshire Moorlands ) (Chair) Nickie Aiken MP (Conservative, Cities of London and Westminster ) Tonia

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Stephen Crabb (Chair); Tonia Antoniazzi; Virginia Crosbie; Ruth