Northern Ireland Office

The Northern Ireland Office has written to the families of 8 cases to inform them that those inquests will be able to resume under clause 84(3) of the Northern Ireland (Troubles) Bill. These cases are; Dillon, Duffy, McCord, Loughgall, Stalker-Sampson series, Moran, McDaid & Slane, and Patterson.

The inquest into the death of Mr Joseph Campbell is included in the ‘9 cases’ allowed to resume as it was part of the ‘Five Year Plan’ for Legacy Inquests, and had started before the Legacy Act came into force. The Government is aware that the coroner in this case has provisionally determined that it can continue as a ‘non Troubles-related’ inquest.

Responsibility for libraries in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. My Ministerial colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office and I hold regular meetings with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, including the Communities Minister, to discuss areas of mutual interest. I welcome discussion about the potential merits of a National Library for Northern Ireland, although thus far no discussions on this topic have been held.

The Government announced at the Autumn Budget a £16.6m package of measures to support businesses to move goods within the UK internal market, including a comprehensive ‘one stop shop’ regulatory support service and additional funding for Intertrade UK.

On 3 December, we announced with the EU that SPS identity checks on retail goods would now be reduced from 10% to 8%, further smoothing flows of trade. Looking ahead, the Government is also negotiating a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU that is set to remove routine checks on animal and plant products moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Within my Department, the following direct ministerial appointments have been made to non-statutory offices:

Intertrade UK - Chair and Members

Name and Job Title: Baroness Arlene Foster, Chair of Intertrade UK

Annual Remuneration: N/A

Time Commitment: Approximately 1 day per month

Expected End Date: 18 months from date of appointment. The Chair may be reappointed for no more than 18 months (so may serve for a maximum of three consecutive years).

Names and Job Title: Dr Esmond Birnie, Kirsty McManus, Suzanne Wylie, Roger Pollen, Angela McGowan - Members of Intertrade UK.

Annual Remuneration: N/A

Time Commitment: Approximately 1 day per month

Expected End Date: 18 months from date of appointment. Members may be reappointed for no more than 18 months (so may serve for a maximum of three consecutive years).

Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel

Names and Job Title: Alastair Hamilton (Chair), Anna Jerzewska, Aidan Reilly - Chair and Panel Members of the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel.

Annual Remuneration: N/A

Time Commitment: The Panel is expected to report to the Government on a six-monthly basis and therefore Panelists should have the capacity to do so.

Expected End Date: 24 months from date of appointment with the possibility of an extension subject to Ministerial agreement.

The Northern Ireland Office’s Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) settlements for the Spending Review period are set out below. Regarding the unallocated portion of the budget; currently, we have no unallocated CDEL in each year of the Spending Review period.

Section 14(1) of the Inquiries Act 2005 sets out that for the purposes of the Act, an Inquiry comes to an end either:

(a) on the date, after the delivery of the report of the inquiry, on which the chairman notifies the Minister that the inquiry has fulfilled its terms of reference, or

(b) on any earlier date specified in a notice given to the chairman by the Minister.

In the case of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, the original Inquiry Chair, Sir Edwin Jowitt, advised the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, on 25 February 2011, that the Inquiry Panel had fulfilled its Terms of Reference. However, following announcement by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland in December 2010 of criminal proceedings against three individuals on charges of perverting the course of justice, it was agreed that the Inquiry Report would not be published or submitted to the Secretary of State until the conclusion of those legal proceedings. At that point, the Report was placed in a secure independent location, only accessible to the Inquiry Chair, Secretary and Solicitor. These legal proceedings have now concluded. A new Chair, Sir John Evans, was appointed on 7 October 2024 due to Sir Edwin unfortunately being unable to continue in the role. Steps are now being taken to publish the report.

The Billy Wright Inquiry report was published on 14 September 2010 with the Inquiry Chair, Lord MacLean, advising the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP on 12 December 2010 that the Inquiry had fulfilled its Terms of Reference in line with section 14 of the Inquiries Act 2005.

The total expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) on (i) LinkedIn membership fees and (ii) other subscriptions for the financial year 2024/2025 was as follows:

All of the protections that the Government has announced are being introduced in order to protect and ensure fair treatment of any veteran who is asked to engage with legacy mechanisms.

Measures set out in the legislation, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

Some other non-legislative measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the safeguard that ensures veterans do not have to give unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.

Although phase two of the Pride in Place programme will not be delivered in Northern Ireland, corresponding funding will be made available in Northern Ireland through the Local Growth Fund, with a total UK Government investment of £45.5m per annum over the Spending Review period.

This decision was made in consultation with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Stormont House is owned and managed by the Northern Ireland Executive. Consequently, the Northern Ireland Office has incurred no expenditure on the building's upkeep or maintenance since vacating the premises in 2022.

I have met with a range of businesses and representative bodies, including those dealing with the movement of goods by road, and I remain committed to continuing this discussion. HM Revenue & Customs has also been engaging regularly with the International Road Transport Union, and their members directly, to provide bespoke support.

The Government has not removed the prospect of immunity from prosecution for any individual. The provisions in the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 were found to be incompatible with our human rights obligations and never commenced. I refer the Honourable gentleman to my answer of 24 November 2025 pursuant to Question 92498.

Regarding the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval, clause 72(5)(c) of the Troubles Bill is clear that it must not do anything which would risk having, or would have, a prejudicial effect on any actual or prospective legal proceedings in any part of the United Kingdom or Ireland.

This is supported by clause 75, which ensures that the ICIR cannot accept a request in relation to a case where an investigation is required for the purposes of ECHR compatibility, or where the Legacy Commission is conducting a criminal investigation. If the ICIR accepts a request, but that case is subsequently subject to a criminal investigation by the Legacy Commission, the ICIR must cease exercising its functions in relation to that case.

This approach to ‘sequencing’ between the Legacy Commission and the ICIR will ensure that the discharge of our ECHR obligations and the conduct of criminal investigations will not be prejudiced by the information retrieval process available through the ICIR.

In any case, the inadmissibility provisions attached to the ICIR relate only to information provided to it. It does not confer immunity on any individual. That means that, while information provided to the ICIR cannot be used in criminal and civil proceedings, individuals to which that information relates can still be subject to legal proceedings should evidence be obtained via other means.

Operation Denton is a thematic review, not a criminal investigation. As per its Terms of Reference, “the discovery of matters amounting to possible criminal misconduct which may be amenable to further criminal investigation will be brought to the attention of the Chief Constable of PSNI by the OIOC.”

In 2019, the Barnard Judgment at the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal [2019] (NICA 38) set out the requirement for an independent review of the activities of the so-called ‘Glenanne Gang’. The then Chief Constable of PSNI requested that the enquiries were conducted by Jon Boutcher, who at the time was the Officer in Overall Command of Operation Kenova. Operation Denton commenced in February 2020.

I understand the Operation Kenova and Operation Denton reports are nearing completion and will be passed to the PSNI soon. The PSNI will then consider the final details around publication of the reports.

It is not for the Government to comment on the internal operational practices of Operation Denton or any other independent review or investigation.

I understand the Operation Kenova and Operation Denton reports are nearing completion and will be passed to the PSNI soon. The PSNI will then consider the final details around publication of the reports.

In 2019, the Barnard Judgment at the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal [2019] (NICA 38) set out the requirement for an independent review of the activities of the so-called ‘Glenanne Gang’. In discharge of the Judicial instruction, the then Chief Constable of the PSNI requested that the enquiries were conducted by Jon Boutcher, who at the time was the Officer in Overall Command of Operation Kenova. Operation Denton commenced in February 2020.

In 2019, the Barnard Judgment at the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal [2019] (NICA 38) set out the requirement for an independent review of the activities of the so-called ‘Glenanne Gang’. In discharge of the Judicial instruction, the then Chief Constable of the PSNI requested that the enquiries were conducted by Jon Boutcher, who at the time was the Officer in Overall Command of Operation Kenova. Operation Denton commenced in February 2020.

The Windsor Framework gives Northern Ireland unique dual market access which ensures the free movement of goods across the UK and the EU, whilst maintaining the frictionless movement of people and goods on the island of Ireland.

Duty-free shopping is not available between Northern Ireland and the EU, as it would require the application of personal allowances and associated border checks, to prevent the uncontrolled flow of tax-free goods into either Northern Ireland or the EU.

The Connect Fund has continued to receive a positive reaction from the voluntary and community sector and I am glad to see many innovative projects are already underway. In the August window, 24 applications were received with 11 of these subsequently awarded funding.

The Government engages with the European Union on a range of issues on a regular basis. I can confirm that there are no barriers to selling poppies in respect of the Poppy Appeal under the Windsor Framework, and the Government has updated the relevant GOV.UK guidance to reflect this.

The provisions in the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on immunity were found to be incompatible with our human rights obligations and never commenced. Those provisions were, in any case, opposed by political parties, by victims and survivors across communities in Northern Ireland, and by those veterans who saw immunity as an affront to the rule of law that they sought to protect, and as implying a moral equivalence between those who served the State in Northern Ireland and those who committed heinous terrorist crimes.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will provide victims and families with the greatest possible opportunity to obtain the information they seek regarding Troubles-related incidents. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery already has significant powers, including powers to require disclosure from state bodies (that will, of course, include significant records pertaining to the actions of terrorist organisations), and the power to compel witnesses.

It is using those powers as part of its ongoing investigations into cases such as the Guildford Pub Bombings, the M62 Coach Bombings, and the Warrenpoint attack. All of these incidents were perpetrated by the IRA, and the ICRIR is seeking to provide answers for bereaved families of service personnel who were brutally murdered in those attacks.

Building on these powers, the Troubles Bill introduces provisions to further enhance the Commission’s investigative functions, and to further strengthen the disclosure regime to ensure that it is fair and transparent, and allows the greatest possible amount of information to be published, within the necessary safeguards of national security. This will be supported by the Irish Government’s commitment to provide the fullest possible cooperation of the Irish authorities with a reformed Commission, giving access to information for families that would otherwise not be available.

Furthermore, the Troubles Bill sets out that the Government will establish, alongside the Irish Government and on a pilot basis, the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval. This will be an international body that will seek to give families an additional means to retrieve information about Troubles-related deaths. Any information disclosed by individuals to the ICIR will be inadmissible in criminal and civil proceedings. The work of the ICIR must not impinge on criminal investigations.

Clause 8(3) of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill sets out that appointments to the Victims and Survivors Advisory Group are made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, following the consultation set out in Clause 9.

The Government will not appoint anyone who was previously involved in paramilitary activity to the Victims and Survivors Advisory Group.

The role of the Independent Monitoring Panel does not cover reporting on the legislative basis under which movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland take place.

Ireland v. the United Kingdom (III) at the European Court of Human Rights has not progressed beyond preliminary stages since it was lodged by Ireland in January 2024. On 2 July 2025, the United Kingdom received correspondence from the Court to confirm that it had adjourned its proceedings pending the final outcome of the ongoing domestic proceedings for judicial review in the case Dillon and Others, which is currently awaiting judgment by the United Kingdom Supreme Court.

The withdrawal of the case is a matter for the Irish Government. The UK Government is clear that the implementation of the Troubles Bill, which seeks to fulfil long standing commitments made by this Government, will mean that the basis for any interstate case will fall away.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill already sets out that a person may not be appointed as a Commissioner, a Director of Investigations or a Judicial Panel member if they have been convicted of an offence. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland therefore cannot, and will not, appoint anyone to the Commission who has been convicted of an offence, related to paramilitary activity or otherwise.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) follows the Ministry of Justice for its HR policies. The MoJ published updated domestic abuse guidance and support on their intranet in August 2025, helping staff and managers assess safety concerns, and providing information on how best to support individuals and teams. This guidance is readily accessible to all staff in the NIO alongside a range of wellbeing support.

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

The UK is a proud signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights which underpins many international agreements on trade, security and migration, as well as the Good Friday Agreement.

That Agreement also required domestic incorporation of the ECHR into Northern Ireland law which was enacted through the Human Rights Act 1998.

The UK is a proud signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights which underpins many international agreements on trade, security and migration, as well as the Good Friday Agreement.

That Agreement also required domestic incorporation of the ECHR into Northern Ireland law which was enacted through the Human Rights Act 1998.

The Northern Ireland Office is a tenant within Erskine House in Belfast, and 1 Horse Guards Road London. This building is managed by the Government Property Agency and as a tenant, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold information regarding bathroom facilities in respect of these offices.

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025.

Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework.

Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025.

Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework.

Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025.

Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework.

Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

I replied to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 13 November 2025 by email.

I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category. The Government does not hold information regarding the specific paramilitary organisations involved in each case.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.

I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.

I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

This is a matter for the devolved and independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. The Government, therefore, does not hold the specific information that has been requested.

We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 decisions on whether to prosecute were taken in relation to Troubles-related cases. Of these 68, there were 25 decisions to prosecute; 13 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the republican category, 6 within the loyalist category, and 6 within the military category.

Where decisions have been taken to prosecute, there have been 6 convictions; 3 in the republican category, two in the loyalist category, and 1 in the military category, with that individual being given a suspended sentence.

We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available.

The Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme simplifies the requirements for movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. To be eligible, certain retail goods must be labelled as ‘Not for EU’. To ensure sufficient time for businesses to plan and prepare, the requirements were first communicated in 2023 and were introduced in phases. We have published detailed guidance to support businesses as well as providing 1:1 support as necessary. We continue to work closely with industry to support compliance.

We are committed to ensuring the Duty Reimbursement Scheme works smoothly, including by supporting businesses to access it. The procurement process to extend the Trader Support Service by a further five years, from 2026, is also underway. This procurement provides an opportunity for HMRC and the successful bidder to take into account user needs, to ensure value and to meet our wider technical and strategic priorities.

The Government is considering Lord Murphy’s recommendations and will provide a response, including relevant timeframes, by January 2026, in line with our legal obligations.

The UK Government is investing £617 million through the four City and Growth Deals which cover the whole of Northern Ireland. The four City and Growth Deals are: Belfast Region (£350m); Derry-Londonderry City and Strabane (£50m); Mid South West (£126m); and Causeway Coast and Glens (£36m). The UK Government has also provided £55 million for the Inclusive Future Fund to address social deprivation in the North West region, which is part of the Derry-Londonderry City and Strabane District City Deal.

Each one of the Deals goes through a rigorous six stage development process to ensure the projects within the Deal are aligned to the strategic priorities of the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as long-term economic growth within the corresponding region.

My officials meet regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive, Deal team and delivery partners, through the formal governance process. Each Deal is at a different stage of development, but the two Full Deal Documents of the Belfast Region City Deal and Derry-Londonderry City and Strabane District City Deal set out the impact they will have on their communities and regional economies.