Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many employees in his Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Information on employees who earn over £100,000 can be found in the annual report and accounts. The most recent report can be found here. The 2024/5 annual report and accounts will be published later in the year.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to undertake a review of the effectiveness of the Connect Fund by the end of the first round of funding.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Connect Fund will award up to £1 million to strengthen civic East-West collaboration on matters of shared interest, including mutual challenges and opportunities across a range of sectors that directly affect communities in Northern Ireland. The Government will consider the lessons learnt from the first round and apply them to the second round as appropriate.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what engagement he has had with the White Butterfly Foundation.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Office ministers and officials regularly engage with charities and voluntary and community sector organisations in Northern Ireland on a wide range of issues. I have not met the White Butterfly Foundation.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will publish a summary of the work completed by Intertrade UK since its appointment.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Terms of Reference and Work Programme for Intertrade UK were published online on 26 August 2025. The body is now focused on implementing its work programme, which is based on three priorities: overcoming barriers to trade, promoting UK internal market opportunities and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will publish a summary of the work completed by the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel which he appointed last year.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

It is for the Independent Monitoring Panel to determine how they conduct their work and then to report to Government. The Panel’s first monitoring period ended on 30 June and the Government expects to receive their first report in due course. The Government will then publish it in accordance with its commitment to do so.

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