Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Emma Reynolds and Robin Swann

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Robin Swann (South Antrim) (UUP)]

The Northern Ireland Executive have been without a budget this year, and in the last six months the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been engaging with the Executive parties. What latitude or support has the Chancellor given the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to enable a budget to be agreed in Northern Ireland, and what steps will the Government take if the Northern Ireland Executive are unable to set a budget?

[Emma Reynolds]

I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that I am working extremely closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who, as he will know, is in discussions with all the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive. We need to make sure that a budget is set for Northern Ireland so that the Executive can continue to deliver vital local public services.

Farming Road Map and Profitability Review

Debate between Emma Reynolds and Robin Swann

Wednesday 24th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

I thank my hon. Friend for her comments. We do have capital grants to help farmers procure the kind of equipment she mentioned.

[Robin Swann (South Antrim) (UUP)]

The Minister said that the road map was not written in Whitehall and handed down, but it is an England-only document, despite Baroness Batters receiving submissions from Northern Ireland. All family farm structures in Northern Ireland are impacted by Treasury decisions, from the family farm tax to the cost of fuel. What engagement have the Government had with the devolved Governments to ensure that all UK farmers benefit and are supported?

[Emma Reynolds]

I recently visited the Balmoral agricultural show with members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, and the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee was there too. We had a good old chinwag. I also met Minister Muir and the Ulster Farmers’ Union. We are engaging closely with stakeholders in Northern Ireland. We have close relationships with all the devolved Administrations and are already engaging with them about our road map, but as the hon. Gentleman says, the road map is for England.