Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) schemes, and (2) initiatives, they plan to introduce (a) to strengthen the Union, and (b) foster more links between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
This Government is committed to strengthening the Union and the links between different parts of the UK, including between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Departments are taking a variety of actions to strengthen the Union.
Earlier this year the Prime Minister announced a review would be undertaken into union connectivity, exploring ways to improve connectivity between our four nations and to bring forward funding to accelerate infrastructure projects.
The Government is working closely with the devolved administrations on a variety of different policy agendas including preparations for the end of the UK transition period and the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are also working with the devolved administrations to improve intergovernmental relations.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the passage of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland which are not then transported to Ireland will not be subject to disruption from 1 January 2021.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
Following the statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 9 December, updates will be made to the House shortly setting out further detail on all Northern Ireland Protocol issues.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to prevent increased costs being incurred by Northern Ireland businesses as a result of provisions within the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
The Government outlined its approach to the Protocol in the Command Paper published in May 2020. We will continue to work with businesses to ensure that the Protocol is implemented in a way that minimises burdens and supports the continued flow of goods.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has established a Business Engagement Forum, which discusses a range of issues concerning the implementation of the Protocol. We have also outlined guidance to business on the requirements of the Protocol which we will update as work proceeds.
In addition, the Government is also providing support to business as they prepare for the end of the transition period and beyond. This includes the new Trader Support Service, a £200m scheme that will provide an end-to-end service which will guide traders through new administrative processes at no additional cost.
We have also committed to exploring further support to those agrifood producers engaging with new sanitary and phytosanitary processes, with further detail to be set out in due course
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much, if any, of the £1.9 billion investment in cyber security announced on 1 November 2016, has been designated for allocation towards policing in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The £1.9bn investment in cyber security is subject to the Barnett formula. The Devolved Administrations prioritise their funding in line with internal cyber priorities. In addition, policing in Northern Ireland will benefit from many UK-wide capabilities, including the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Cyber Crime Unit within the National Crime Agency.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the average cost to the public purse of a parliamentary by-election since 2010.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The average (mean) cost to the public purse of a Parliamentary by-election since 2010 is £228,964. This comprises two main elements: the costs incurred by Returning Officers in running the poll; and the cost of delivering election mailings produced by candidates. The costs of running the three most recent by-elections, for which the Returning Officer’s expenses have not yet been settled, have not been factored into this average figure.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people from other EU countries have been admitted to (1) work, and (2) live, in Northern Ireland in each year since 2010.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civil servants are paid over (1) £100,000, (2) £125,000, and (3) £150,000 per annum.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.