Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners to ensure the protection of Christians and other religious minorities in Tajikistan.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Tajikistan and Tunisia. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners to ensure the protection of Christians and other religious minorities in Tunisia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Tajikistan and Tunisia. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact in Northern Ireland of the abolition of VAT exemption for private school fees on the parents of children with special educational needs; and what estimate she has made of additional VAT receipts arising in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government conducted thorough and detailed analysis of the impacts of this policy, including in Northern Ireland, and published a Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which sets out this analysis. This is a comprehensive assessment of the impacts on individuals and families, businesses and the wider economy, as well as equalities impacts. It was published online and can be found here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/ac8c20ce-4824-462d-b206-26a567724643

In Northern Ireland, the Education Authority (EA) is responsible for funding placements of pupils with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) within a private school. The EA can recover the VAT that it is charged on these pupils’ fees, which means that those pupils are unaffected by the removal of the VAT exemption.

Due to how VAT is collected it is not possible to estimate the VAT receipts arising in Northern Ireland. However, overall this policy is expected to raise £1.7 billion per year by 2029/30.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Great British Energy’s activities on small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland since its establishment; what steps his Department is taking with Great British Energy to ensure that opportunities in the clean energy supply chain and project investment are accessible to SMEs in Northern Ireland; and how his Department is monitoring SME engagement and participation in Great British Energy-related projects in the devolved regions.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Great British Energy (GBE) will operate in Northern Ireland as part of its commitment to deliver in all four nations of the UK. Recognising Northern Ireland’s distinct energy landscape and regulatory framework, GBE will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to explore ways it can best support the delivery of clean power, community energy and drive inclusive economic growth. The contribution of SMEs to the development of clean power including supply chains will be part of this consideration.

Earlier this year GBE committed £1.62 million for community and public sector renewable projects in Northern Ireland. On 10 December, we announced that this funding will help Further Education Colleges to benefit from clean energy, through installation of Solar PV at a number of sites.

Additionally, on 11 December, GBE also launched a £300m supply chain fund for offshore wind and networks. All areas of the UK will be eligible for funding, meaning projects may be located anywhere in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, subject to Windsor Framework considerations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 53771 on Railways: Finance, what recent progress she has made on the Union Connectivity Development Fund.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Union Connectivity Development Fund (UCDF) has provided financial support for a range of transport connectivity projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This includes funding to support four rail feasibility studies in Northern Ireland, the conclusions of which have just been published in a Translink report.

While there are no plans for further UCDF-supported projects once those already underway are concluded, the Department remains committed to its strong partnerships with the Devolved Governments, focusing on collaboration, capacity building and the sharing of best practice, where appropriate.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the scale of people-smuggling facilitation activity with operational links to Northern Ireland since July 2024; and how many disruptions and arrests have been made.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Through the Border Security Command, we continue to work with all key partners, both across the UK and internationally to disrupt and deter people-smuggling facilitation. Our collective law enforcement powers, sharing intelligence, data, and expertise, and conducting joined-up operational activity support our aim of putting people-smuggling gangs out of business.

The National Crime Agency's National Strategic Assessment assesses that the Common Travel Area (CTA), and particularly the routes between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain, continue to be exploited by criminals for the purposes of immigration crime.

Tackling the threat from organised immigration crime, including illegal entry to the UK via the Common Travel Area (CTA), is complex and requires the coordination of approach and resource across the Home Office and with Policing Partners. Within Immigration Enforcement, our Officers work closely with law enforcement partners both in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and the Republic of Ireland to maximise the use of resources and ensure the upstream disruption of out-of-country organised crime groups who seek to facilitate immigration crime through the CTA.

Our published national data on enforcement activity is available at the following link and includes data on detected irregular arrivals to the UK: Immigration system statistics, year ending September 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of bank closures on access to banking services by vulnerable and elderly people; how many Banking Hubs currently operate in Northern Ireland; and what her target is for the number of additional Banking Hubs to be opened in Northern Ireland before the end of this parliamentary term.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to supporting sufficient access for customers.

The Government is working closely with industry on the commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament, which will provide individuals and businesses across the country with cash and banking services. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and 200 are already open. Of these, there are currently seven banking hubs operating in Northern Ireland.

The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services.

While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance requires firms to conduct a robust impact analysis. Banks must show they have considered customer needs and identified potential reasonable alternatives. The FCA also expects engagement with stakeholders at least 12 weeks before closure and ensures that any replacement services, such as banking hubs, are in place before a branch closes. These measures aim to ensure closures are implemented fairly and transparently.

The Government does not have specific regional targets for banking hub opening as the locations of banking hubs are determined independently by LINK.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made in discussions with the United States administration regarding the initiative outlined in the Windsor Framework and Safeguarding the Union document to establish a US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facility at Belfast International Airport; and what the anticipated timeline for such negotiations would be.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

As part of commitments within the Windsor Framework and the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, the then-Government committed to “enter into exploratory talks with the United States Administration on the options for introducing pre-clearance checks on customs and immigration for passengers travelling on direct flights from Belfast International Airport and destinations in the USA.”

I can confirm that this was raised with the US Administration, but the decision ultimately rests them.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigration enforcement visits relating to visa overstaying were conducted in Northern Ireland in each quarter since July 2024; and what plans she has to increase capacity.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

To maintain the highest standards of accuracy, the Home Office prefers to refer to published data, as this has been subject to rigorous quality assurance under National Statistics protocols prior to publication.

Information about enforcement visits in Northern Ireland specifically related to visa overstaying is not available in our published data.

Our published national data on enforcement activity is available at the following link: Immigration system statistics, year ending September 2025 - GOV.UK

All aspects of enforcement activity conducted by the Northern Ireland Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Team have significantly risen year on year. This includes increased illegal working operations and conducting more residential and compliance visits in conjunction with law enforcement partners to tackle abuse of the immigration system.

150th anniversary of Laurelvale Cricket Club

Tackling antisemitism and hatred

Newborn bloodspot screening for spinal muscular atrophy

Christmas (No. 2)

New leadership of the Orange Order in Ireland

Incident in Switzerland

Situation in Iran

Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week

Commonwealth Games

Enniskillen Remembrance Day attack

Passing of Callum McVeigh

Business rates revaluation

50th anniversary of Kingsmills Massacre

Ards Rugby Club’s 1st XV Junior Shield victory

Houses of Parliament Shop deliveries to Northern Ireland

Irish Sea herring quotas

Treatment of the Darlington nurses

Wrightbus CEO

Acquittal of Shaun O’Sullivan, free speech and religious freedom

Welfare benefits for foreign nationals

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Found: Heritage Museum ahead of the Twelfth celebrations Hilary Benn 2025-07-10 Loughgall Victims w/ Carla Lockhart