Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many households were in receipt of Tax-Free Childcare in each constituency in Northern Ireland in July 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The number of families with a used Tax Free Childcare account in 2024-25 each constituency in Northern Ireland is published in the Table 12 of The Tax Free Childcare Official Statistics:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-free-childcare-quarterly-statistics

This information is only available on an annual basis. Monthly figures are not available.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 87001 on Female Genital Mutilation: Training, what information her Department holds on the reasons why people who had registered for the free e-learning module on Female Genital Mutilation had not attempted to participate in the module.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

We have issued a range of materials to support professionals to help them understand Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), spot the signs, and support victims and survivors. This includes making available free e-learning for all frontline staff for example in healthcare, police, Border Force and children’s social care.

As this is a free e-learning module and not mandatory, we do not hold information regarding the reasons for not attempting or completing the module.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action is being taken to help ensure that EES rollout does not result in delays and queues for UK passport holders at European airports.

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

The Home Office has engaged with the European Commission and Member States to understand plans for the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), in order to support industry and the British travelling public through clear communications about these changes. Ultimately, these matters are the responsibility of the European Commission and Member States.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that funding allocations from the Community Ownership Fund have benefited communities in areas across all of Northern Ireland.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Community Ownership Fund was launched as a competitive fund under the previous government. On 23 December 2024 this government announced the largest ever allocation of funding through the programme. This funded regeneration and renovation of a range of cultural, sports and community space projects across Northern Ireland in constituencies of all the major parties.

The UK Government is investing £45.5 million each year of the SR period to provide targeted long term funding to support vital initiatives such as economic inactivity and local business support right across NI as part of the new Local Growth Fund.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to publish guidance on single sex spaces in line with the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v. The Scottish Ministers.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

I refer the Hon Member to Baroness Smith’s answer to Baroness Ludford’s oral question in the House of Lords, dated 19 January 2026, which provides the information you requested.

The Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations provides guidance on all protected characteristics, not solely sex and gender reassignment.

The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Secretary of State will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the draft Code.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on how many occasions were calls to HMRC ended before the caller was connected, during January (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Every year, HMRC answers millions of calls. HMRC has published monthly telephony performance data which covers the requested time period. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports

This data includes information about the number of calls received, the number of customers who wanted to speak to an adviser and the proportion of callers that got through to an adviser (adviser attempts handled – AAH).

There are several reasons why somebody calling HMRC may not speak to an adviser – the customer may have had their query answered by HMRC’s recorded messages, they may have found the information they require online or they may have decided to call back another time.

Improving day-to-day performance is a key priority for HMRC.

HMRC are taking steps to make sure more of their services are digital. HMRC online services and the HMRC app are convenient to access and receive high customer satisfaction ratings. As more people use HMRC online services, advisers are freed up to support those with more complex queries and those who are digitally excluded.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 105155 answered on 20 January 2026, whether the topic of Russia, Iranian and Venezuelan registered oil tankers in British and Irish waters was discussed at the meeting on 3 December 2025

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

While this particular issue was not on the agenda for that call, the Ministers did discuss countering Russian aggression and our support to Ukraine, and we continue to discuss priority issues with our Irish counterparts as and when they arise, including at Ministerial level.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, following the recent announcement by NHS England that a life-extending drug for prostate cancer will shortly be available on the NHS, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Health Minister on providing that drug to patients in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no current plans to hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Health Minister on abiraterone access in Northern Ireland. Decisions on the availability of medicines in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he expects to receive Great British Energy Nuclear's new framework before the Parliamentary summer recess.

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

The Advanced Nuclear Framework is being developed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with Great British Energy-Nuclear supporting on the assessment process. This framework will set out a pathway for privately led advanced nuclear projects and will be published early this year.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive to develop the Circular Economy Growth Plan.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Circular Economy Growth Plan will be England only in scope (aside from policy areas that are reserved matters), but we recognise that the Devolved Governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive, either have or are developing similar circular economy plans.

The Growth Plan will set out the biggest opportunities to support growth in sectors right across the economy, including: agri-food; built environment; chemicals and plastics; electrical and electronic equipment; textiles; and transport.

We recognise the overlap between these sectors and the circular economy packages being taken forward by Devolved Governments. Ministers have engaged with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on areas of shared interests and opportunities for collaboration through both the Inter-Ministerial Group and the British-Irish Council. This engagement has been further continued at official level too in order to support alignment.

The Secretary of State will continue to discuss the progress of our Circular Economy agenda with the Northern Ireland Executive and all devolved governments, as we are actively looking to work collaboratively and closely across the four nations, recognising that consistency throughout the UK also has benefits for industry and other stakeholders.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

The Government protected the smallest hospitality businesses from recent changes to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500.

Wider business support is devolved in Northern Ireland and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Northern Ireland Executive’s Spending Review settlement for 2025-26 is the largest in real terms of any settlement since devolution and they receive over 24% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK in all years of the Spending Review 2025 period (2025-26 to 2028-29).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much on average was invested in Government Bonds by Retail Investors in January (a) 2023 and (b) 2025.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury does not hold data on the average amounts invested in gilts by retail investors; however, the government welcomes participation from a broad and diverse range of gilt market investors, including retail buyers.

The Office for National Statistics publishes aggregate holdings in government bonds by different investors, which can be found using the following link - https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/ukeconomicaccountsjulytoseptember2025

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her European Commission counterparts on border controls for the import of high-risk plants in the context of the 10 remaining species of plants on the EU's prohibitions list.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Since 2021 Defra has worked with the horticultural industry to submit 48 market access applications (including multiple species within the same genera) for the most widely traded High-Risk Plants, 40 of which have now resulted in the adoption of EU import requirements allowing the export of these species to resume to the EU. The industry has been consulted on a regular basis to ascertain the species of interest, as industry’s cooperation and input have been paramount in completing the relevant applications. Following the announcement of the intention to negotiate an SPS agreement with the EU and after consultation with the industry, work has been paused on further applications, in the expectation that under the agreement the High-Risk Plant prohibitions for third countries would no longer be applicable to the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of changes in levels of (a) maladministration and (b) corruption involved in the onsite distribution of the overseas aid budget between 2020 and 2025.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) actively monitors and manages fraud, bribery, corruption and error risks across its Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio through a range of controls, reporting mechanisms and ongoing risk assessments. Available estimates in this area can be found in the section on fraud at pages 167-169 of the FCDO's 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts, and in equivalent sections in previous years' reports.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2026 to Question 106949 on Oil: Sanctions and with reference to the meeting with Irish Ministers on 3 December 2025, whether she received an offer of support in countering Russian aggression at that meeting.

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

As stated in my answer to Question 105155, the UK and Ireland are jointly committed to deepening our security and defence cooperation on the full range of threats facing both our countries. That includes countering Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister in the Irish Republic on joint action to tackle international drug trafficking into the UK via the Irish Republic.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK and Ireland have a strong relationship which includes joint action against criminals targeting both the UK and Ireland.

In addition to these operational relationships, there is an annual security dialogue between the UK and Ireland to discuss key shared security issues faced. This includes discussions on international serious & organised crime, with the last one taking place in November 2025.

In January 2026, the UK formally invited Ireland to join the North Sea Channel Maritime Information Group. This group facilitates the cooperation and exchanging of information about maritime border security topics, including information around the movement of drugs. Existing members include Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will hold discussions with the her Indian counterparts on the need for the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau investigation into the crash of Air India flight 171 to be independent, including commercial considerations.

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

The Government has engaged with counterparts in India regarding the tragic accident of Air India Flight 171. The Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau is the lead investigating authority, in line with standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization and must be given the time and space to undertake a thorough investigation. The UK welcomed the preliminary report which was published in July 2025. I want to reaffirm my deepest sympathies to those who lost their lives in this accident, as well as to their loved ones.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on the potential impact of prioritising UK medical graduates in the 10 Year Health Plan on staffing levels.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 January 2026. The bill delivers the Government’s commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, published in July 2025, to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty training.

The bill extends and applies across the UK. Health workforce planning and access to medical training are devolved matters. However, the process of recruitment and the allocation of foundation and specialty training places is undertaken on a UK-wide basis, and we are committed to keeping that consistency.

Department ministers have worked closely with their counterparts on the draft bill and alongside this, officials have been working closely and constructively with colleagues across all devolved administrations as we shape these proposals, and will continue to do so.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 106495, what assessment has been made of the reasons for the 25% reduction in the numbers of those aged 75 and over self referring for bowel cancer screening between 2023 and 2024.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving cancer services is a priority for the Government. We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster so that more patients survive, and we will improve patients’ experience across the system.

The bowel cancer screening programme primarily focuses on uptake and coverage of those eligible for screening, those aged 50 to 74 years old, and how these individuals progress through the pathway for additional diagnostic tests where required. As those over 75 years old self-referring fall outside the primary cohort no analysis has been made of the fluctuations in numbers.

Over 75s can still ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline. Anyone experiencing symptoms is encouraged to seek medical advice immediately.

54th anniversary of IRA murders of two police officers in Londonderry

World Cancer Day and breast cancer

70th anniversary of Tayto Crisps

International Epilepsy Day 2026

Murder of Royal Navy sailor David Cuthbert

90th birthday of former hon. Member William Ross

Apprenticeship Week 2026

50th anniversary of the King's Trust

Legacy of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq

Honour and gratitude for British armed forces

Legacy of British troops in Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq

Burns Night 2025 and the legacy of Robert Burns

Sir Norman Stronge and Major James Stronge