Disorder in Ballymena

Lord Weir of Ballyholme Excerpts

Wednesday 11th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for the question and the work that she and the noble Baroness have done in advocating consistently for funding for the PSNI. I will continue the conversation with the Secretary of State. The Government recognise the difficult financial position that the PSNI faces, which is why we are making sure that funding is available.

On the substantive point of my noble friend’s question, the onus is on all of us, including Members of your Lordships’ House, to remember our tone and the responsibilities that we all have—that includes every single politician in Northern Ireland. I for one was delighted to see a joint statement from the Executive, signed by every political party, calling for quiet and peace and for people to come off the streets. This is not a time for politics; it is a time for peace and security on the streets of Northern Ireland. There is a responsibility on all of us to deliver it.

[Lord Weir of Ballyholme (DUP)]

My Lords, I join others in commending the efforts and the bravery of the police and the other emergency services in dealing with the appalling situation of the last 48 hours. I unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the violence that has taken place in Ballymena. Whatever the underlying issues in Ballymena, nothing can ever justify the thuggery that has been perpetrated there.

The noble Baroness has heard from different parts of this House that the chief constable has, for some time, been highlighting the major problems of funding. While I appreciate that the Government’s response is that, ultimately, a lot of this is a devolved issue, can the noble Baroness say what actions the Government are taking to help provide a strategic solution to the problem of the underresourcing of policing in Northern Ireland, beyond simply short-term mutual aid assistance?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord is absolutely right that there is a responsibility on the British Government to work with police forces across the United Kingdom. That does not just include money, it is about sharing best practice and about funding that has been made available for public sector transformation works. Making sure that we are working hand in hand with the PSNI is incredibly important. The noble Lord will be as aware as I am of the ongoing comments by Jon Boutcher about the funding requirements he needs. I hope everybody is listening, but I promise the noble Lord that the Secretary of State is speaking to him regularly.