Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the UK to national security in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government remains committed to keeping people safe. I pay tribute to those who work so hard to ensure peace and security across the United Kingdom.
In relation to national security in Northern Ireland, the fact that the Northern Ireland Related Terrorism threat level was reduced in March 2024 to SUBSTANTIAL and remains there is testament to the tremendous efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and security partners.
In recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the Government is providing the PSNI with £113 million over three years in Additional Security Funding to help address Northern Ireland’s specific security challenges and continue keeping people safe.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government took to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne in 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The annual 12th July Commemorations are hugely significant to many in Northern Ireland, as I witnessed first hand during my visit to the County Fermanagh 12th July Parade in Irvinestown in 2024.
Earlier this month, I visited Sloan’s House, the birthplace of the Orange Institution, and took the opportunity to convey my best wishes to all those preparing to mark the 12th. On the 335th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, the Government was represented by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson MP, who attended the County Armagh Parade in Keady.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to attend parades in Northern Ireland on 12 July 2026.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The 12th of July is a day of cultural and historical significance to many in Northern Ireland. We do not share advance details of Northern Ireland Office Ministers’ movements.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department took steps to support the commemorations of the Battle of the Boyne in 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The annual 12th July Commemorations are hugely significant to many in Northern Ireland, as I witnessed first hand during my visit to the County Fermanagh 12th July Parade in Irvinestown in 2024.
Earlier this month, I visited Sloan’s House, the birthplace of the Orange Institution, and took the opportunity to convey my best wishes to all those preparing to mark the 12th. On the 335th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, the Government was represented by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson MP, who attended the County Armagh Parade in Keady.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what statutory instruments have been introduced since May 2025 to implement dynamic alignment provisions under the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
All Statutory Instruments are a matter of public record and are available on the Government’s ‘legislation.gov.uk’ website, or on ‘statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk’.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether a government representative will visit Northern Ireland for the Orange Order parades on 12 July 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
For security reasons we do not share details of Northern Ireland Office Ministers’ itineraries in advance.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to with relevant authorities to support Northern Ireland’s tourism industry.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland remains a highly popular destination for both UK and international visitors. In 2023, the tourism sector contributed approximately £1.2 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy, with 5.4 million visitors. In March, I met with representatives of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance to discuss the opportunities and challenges that its members are facing.
The Northern Ireland Executive is ultimately responsible for tourism in Northern Ireland. I welcome the Department for the Economy’s efforts to boost the impact of tourism across Northern Ireland through its 10-year Tourism Vision and Action Plan.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he discussed the constitutional position of Northern Ireland with his Irish counterpart during the UK-Ireland Summit 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The 2025 UK-Ireland Summit strengthened cooperation between the UK and Ireland, as set out in the UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement. The constitutional position of Northern Ireland was not discussed at the Summit.
In accordance with the Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent upon which it rests, Northern Ireland will remain a part of the United Kingdom for as long as its people wish it to be.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to work with the Northern Ireland Assembly to improve the built infrastructure of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Responsibility for infrastructure policy is devolved to Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure. The UK Government is working closely with the devolved governments to ensure that the UK’s nations and regions have the infrastructure they need to boost economic growth and serve their communities.
The Northern Ireland Executive received £18.2 billion from the UK Government for 2025-26 - the largest financial settlement in real terms in the history of devolution. Whilst it is for the Executive to decide how it utilises this funding, I welcome the Executive’s commitment to producing a long term strategic infrastructure plan and I look forward to its publication.