Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to help improve public services in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Alongside providing £235 million in funding for projects through the Public Sector Transformation Board, we have strengthened the exchange of best practice on improving public services. £129 million of this funding has already been allocated to services in health, SEN and education, waste rainwater management, planning and justice.
We continue to work with the Executive as it prioritises spending, progresses transformation, and focuses on reducing waiting lists. For example, following the publication of the NHS Plan: Reforming Elective Care for Patients in February, we have now agreed to further collaboration between UK Government and Executive health departments to improve access to timely, high-quality care for patients in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
This Government is committed to working with our Executive colleagues on our shared goal of improving public services.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government has already begun the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government's Legacy Act. On 4 December 2024, I laid a proposed draft remedial order before Parliament that, if adopted, will remove from the Act a number of provisions that have been found by the NI courts to be incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations. These include all those relating to the immunity scheme, and the bar on new civil cases.
While we want to make progress as swiftly as possible, we remain committed to engaging widely with all interested parties to help determine what provisions should be included in new primary legislation. At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) on 24 April, the Governments discussed Legacy issues, including proposals for legislative reform, and the Government remains committed to introducing primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of levels of economic growth in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Economic growth is the priority for this government, taking advantage of the UK’s unique strengths and untapped potential so we can put more money in people’s pockets, and our Industrial Strategy is central to that.
The Industrial Strategy will be published in June and will support the Northern Ireland Executive’s plans for growth. We have identified eight sectors that offer the highest potential for growth and are working alongside the Northern Ireland Executive, business leaders, and trade unions to ensure that the whole of Northern Ireland benefits from the Industrial Strategy. The latest figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency show that Northern Ireland experienced stronger growth than the United Kingdom as a whole last year.
At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor confirmed the Northern Ireland Executive would receive a record £18.2 billion this year - the largest settlement in real terms in the history of devolution. This includes a £1.5 billion top-up through Barnett in 2025-6. It is now for the Executive to allocate this money in line with its priorities and this Government wants to work with the Executive to help promote Northern Ireland as a fantastic place to invest and do business.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of ongoing negotiations with the EU on peace in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Conor Burns
Political differences in Northern Ireland, as throughout the whole United Kingdom, should be resolved peacefully and not used as an excuse for violence. The Government is clear that the Protocol's fundamental purpose is to uphold the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions - yet it is clear that it is undermining them all. Maintaining peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and protecting the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement will always be our top priority. We continue to focus on finding solutions to these issues and our preference remains a negotiated solution with the EU. The need for solutions is urgent.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to help ensure Northern Ireland's place in the Union.
Answered by Conor Burns
This Government is steadfastly committed to Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom, and will never be neutral on the Union. We will continue to strengthen the Union by making Northern Ireland a better place to live and work for all parts of the community, and by building a stronger, more shared and inclusive society.
The Government firmly believes that the Union is strongest when all its people can see and feel its benefits in their everyday lives, and that is why we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver for Northern Ireland just as we are seeking to level up every part of this United Kingdom.
This is demonstrated through our commitment to invest over £3.5 billion across Northern Ireland via the New Deal for NI, City Deals, PEACE Plus and the financial package laid out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, and our support for skills, communities and local infrastructure.
The Government also continues to work with partners to ensure Northern Ireland’s future is safe and secure, that there is equality of opportunity for all its people and to ensure an open and tolerant society for the benefit of everyone.