Robin Swann Portrait

Robin Swann

Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim

7,512 (17.5%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024



Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Robin Swann has voted in 251 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Robin Swann Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Hilary Benn (Labour)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(19 debate interactions)
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(13 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Northern Ireland Office
(42 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(25 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(20 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(16 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Robin Swann's debates

South Antrim Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

We think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.


Latest EDMs signed by Robin Swann

8th September 2025
Robin Swann signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Friday 5th September 2025

Young farmers' organisations across the United Kingdom

Tabled by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
That this House commends the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs, and Wales Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs for supporting rural young people; recognises their vital work in tackling rural isolation, promoting positive mental health, and strengthening rural communities; …
15 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Labour: 2
Independent: 2
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Alliance: 1
Conservative: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
25th June 2025
Robin Swann signed this EDM on Wednesday 3rd September 2025

Naloxone

Tabled by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
That this House recognises the importance of naloxone as a lifesaving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose; expresses alarm at the broad rise of deaths involving opioids in recent years; acknowledges that an addiction to drugs is not a lifestyle choice, nor a moral flaw, but …
44 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 31
Labour: 4
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
View All Robin Swann's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Robin Swann, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Robin Swann has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Robin Swann has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Robin Swann has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

1 Bill co-sponsored by Robin Swann

Office of the Whistleblower Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Gareth Snell (LAB)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to publish a response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework.

As set out in domestic law, the Government must publish a written response to any recommendations made by the Independent Review’s report no later than six months after receiving said report.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness (b) adequacy and (c) efficiency of the performance of the Motor Ombudsman in carrying out its functions.

The Motor Ombudsman is a non-statutory ombudsman, set up as a voluntary scheme by the industry and independent of government.

The Motor Ombudsman's activities are documented in their annual reports, complying with the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015. These reports are accessible on its website.

DBT funds the Chartered Trading Standards Institute who accredit and regularly audit The Motor Ombudsman against key principles including neutrality and effective complaints handling under a voluntary framework in the 2015 ADR Regulations.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 68868 on Companies: Economic Crime, of the businesses dissolved, how many had five or more registered at one address.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 70 addresses where 5 or more companies were dissolved in Northern Ireland. This impacted a total of 852 companies.

A further 3,000 companies were located at the Companies House default address at the time of their dissolution during this period.

21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department will launch the consultation on Hughs Law.

A public consultation on further support for parents of seriously ill children, including Hugh's Law, will take place during 2026.

17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many companies with addresses in Northern Ireland have been removed from the Companies House register in the last year by the National Economic Crime Centre.

The National Economic Crime Centre does not remove companies from the Registers of Companies. This is a function of the Registrars of Companies.

During the most recent period for which published figures are available (April 2024 to March 2025), 10,096 companies were struck off the Register of Companies for Northern Ireland and dissolved. These statistics are available from Table A9 of the Companies Register Activities: Statistical Release April 2024 to March 2025. This can be accessed at the address below:

Companies register activities: statistical release April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK

16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with online sales platforms on guidance on implementation of the General Product Safety Regulation.

Ministerial colleagues in the Department and I undertake regular engagement with businesses, including online marketplaces and those who sell products online, to listen to their concerns.

In addition, officials in my Department have regular discussions with business representatives, including online marketplaces and businesses that sell products online, on a range of issues, including the new General Product Safety Regulations. This engagement allows businesses to raise specific issues directly with the Government.

17th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will take steps to prepare for temperature rises that could reach 4C by the end of the century.

The latest UN Environment Programme Emissions Gap Report estimates that current policies will limit peak global warming to 3.1°C by 2100, with further reductions possible through full implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) (https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2024). More work is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C which is why the Government is committed to driving climate action domestically and internationally. At COP29 the UK announced an ambitious goal to reduce emissions by at least 81% by 2035 and will continue to urge other nations to be ambitious. The Government is investing in mitigation actions while future-proofing the Net Zero system against climate hazards.

2nd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the lack of Legislative Consent Motion from the Northern Ireland Assembly on the progress of the Data (Use and Access) Bill.

We have engaged with the Northern Ireland Assembly throughout the Bill's progression.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently considering a Legislative Consent Memorandum laid by the Northern Ireland Executive.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending Cyber Local 2025-26 to Northern Ireland.

As of April 2025, the way that Devolved Administrations (DAs) receive funding for cyber security has changed. Previously ringfenced cyber budgets will be absorbed into departmental baselines and provided directly to DAs in their overall HM Treasury settlement.

The revised funding arrangements further support DAs, including the Northern Ireland Executive, to make their own choices about how to champion the cyber sector in each part of the UK. DSIT will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive on how to assist the cyber sector, including through the Cyber Local programme.

DSIT continues to support the successful cyber ecosystem in Northern Ireland with key investments such as the Cyber AI Hub programme at Queen’s University Belfast.

10th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Northern Irish companies received funding from the £1.8m for regional cyber skills projects.

Cyber Local is a UK government scheme to deliver tailored support for the cyber security sector. It is part of the government’s work to make the UK more resilient against cyber threats, support economic growth and develop digital skills.

£1.9 million of funding will be shared by 31 projects, details of which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-local-projects-2025. The downloadable spreadsheet indicates the project location and whether the project focuses on skills, resilience or innovation.

2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her policy is on future funding arrangements for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will discuss with Sport England the potential merits of recognising pigeon racing as a sport.

Pigeon Racing is not recognised as a sport by Sport England, and we have no plans to discuss that further with them.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support parents with recent trends in the cost of daycare facilities.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

It is the department’s ambition that parents have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and childcare.

Next year alone, the department plans to provide over £8 billion for the early years entitlements, which is a more than 30% increase compared to 2024/25, as we roll out the expansion of the entitlements, so eligible working parents of children aged from nine months can access 30 hours of funded childcare.

From the start of September 2024, eligible working parents have been entitled to 15 hours a week of early education and care from the term after their child turns nine months. So far, over 320,000 additional parents are now accessing a place. Going further, from September 2025, eligible working parents will be able to access 30 hours of early education and childcare a week, over 38 weeks of the year, from the term after their child turns nine months until they start school. The department has also taken action to protect parents from reported instances of very high additional charges on top of their entitlement, ensuring the funded hours remain accessible and affordable for parents. We have updated our statutory guidance, confirming that whilst providers can charge for some extras, these charges must not be mandatory.

Parents may also be eligible for childcare support through Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare.

The department also wants to ensure that parents are aware of and accessing all government funded childcare support they are eligible for. We are raising awareness of the government-funded childcare support available via the Childcare Choices website to stimulate increased take-up by eligible families, because this could make a significant financial difference to families.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
10th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she had discussions with the Minister of Education in Northern Ireland on Clause 56 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department has engaged with the devolved governments during the development of the Bill.

The department is committed to keeping our devolved government colleagues properly engaged on matters with cross-border impact and will continue to do so throughout the progression of the Bill and our implementation planning.

5th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the value for money of funding the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.

Encouraging more young people into farming and land-based careers is vital to ensure a skilled workforce is in place and the longer-term viability of the sector.

Defra works closely with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC). Defra provides funding of up to £30,000 per year for specific project-based activity which supports skills development and training.

My officials continue to work very closely with the NFYFC to deliver the 2025-26 grant to ensure value for money.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs in each of the last five years.

In each of the last five financial years, Defra has provided the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) with the following amounts of funding:

Financial Year

Funding Amount

2020/21

£30,000

21/22

£30,000

22/23

£31,000

23/24

£27,545.93

24/25

£29,982.93

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he is taking steps to introduce Equine Establishment Numbers for (a) horse and (b) other equine-based establishments.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19 May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient movement of trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of live animals, including animal health conditions governing the movement and importation of Equidae. The SPS Agreement is built on a commitment for the UK to regulate consistently with the EU on specific SPS rules. Defra is currently working to establish what implementation of the SPS Agreement will involve for equines.

22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42062 on Bees: Conservation, whether he has received a request from the Northern Irish Minister of Agriculture for mutual assistance with bee inspecting.

It is confirmed that no request from the Northern Irish Minister of Agriculture for mutual assistance with bee inspecting has been received by APHA’s National Bee Unit.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ letter of 8 April 2025 to Northern Ireland Executive colleagues, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the (a) additional confirmed cases in Hungary and (b) advent of confirmed cases in Slovakia of Foot and Mouth disease.

Although I was not an addressee of the letter mentioned and therefore cannot reference it directly, this Government will be decisive and take the necessary action to ensure the UK’s biosecurity measures protect our farms from the risk posed by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We’ve stepped up measures to prevent the incursion of FMD following the spread of cases in Hungary and Slovakia, including a case close to Slovakia’s border with Austria. The Government immediately implemented restrictions on broad categories of products ranging from fresh milk, dairy products, meat from susceptible animals to hay and straw from Hungary, Slovakia and Austria to Great Britain to protect the UK’s freedom from FMD, in addition to restrictions already in place for equivalent exports from Germany to Great Britain following a separate outbreak of FMD in Germany in January.

In line with the requirement to recognise regionalisation, these imports are also prohibited into Northern Ireland from the disease control zones in force surrounding each of the infected premises in the EU. We continue to review the situation, working with our disease experts and EU counterparts. Livestock keepers are urged to be extra vigilant and report any suspicion of FMD or other notifiable disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Great Britain and to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland.

17th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the French Government's Third National Climate Adaptation Plan.

The UK approach to managing climate risks is set out by the Climate Change Act 2008 and involves a Climate Change Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Programme. Similar to the French approach our National Adaptation Programme is developed on a 5 yearly cycle, outlining national-level measures that aim to address the impacts of climate change, and is based on planning adaptation against a longer-term climate change scenario.

The most recent National Adaptation Programme was published in 2023 and covered five sectors, infrastructure, natural environment, health, communities and built environment, business and industry and international dimensions, and 61 climate risks all owned and managed by specific government departments. We are managing the National Adaptation Programme as an ongoing programme of delivery against climate risks and are considering a range of options to achieve this and will set out our refreshed approach in due course.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 34165 on Food and Livestock: Transport, how many times the Border Control Post has contacted people responsible for a load in relation to (a) concerns and (b) concerns about non-attendance in each of the last twelve months.

Due to the intelligence led and dynamic nature of our biosecurity controls, and to ensure operations are not impacted, we are unable to share this data.

5th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 34165 on Food and Livestock: Transport, how many vehicles containing (a) live animals and (b) food products attended Sevington for further inspection in each of the last 12 months.

Due to the intelligence led and dynamic nature of our biosecurity controls, and to ensure operations are not impacted, we are unable to share data on inspection volumes.

26th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many vehicles containing (a) live animals and (b) food products failed to attend a further inspection at Sevington in the last 12 months.

Due to the intelligence led and dynamic nature of our biosecurity controls, and to ensure operations are not impacted, we are unable to share this data.

The risk of legitimate commercial loads not attending Sevington is mitigated by robust, data-backed enforcement options. Consignments called to Sevington for an inspection will have completed the necessary customs declarations and pre-notifications. These goods will not be legally cleared for sale or use within the UK until they have attended and been cleared at the Border Control Post (BCP).

Where the BCP has concerns, for example due to non-attendance, there are existing robust provisions for contacting the person responsible for the load. These provisions are enforceable through the data collected in customs declarations and pre-notification.

Meanwhile, vehicles suspected to be carrying illegal imports (e.g. those for which customs declarations and pre-notification have not been made or suspected to have been made in bad faith) will continue to be stopped and dealt with by Border Force at the point of entry to the UK, not sent to the BCP.

20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions Ministers in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive on the foot and mouth outbreak in Germany.

In response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Germany, we are in contact with German counterparts to understand the latest situation and, as is routine procedure, we are working closely with the Devolved Governments to understand the risks to the UK and prevent an incursion from imported goods.

On 21 January, the situation and the need for ongoing collaboration and vigilance was also discussed at a meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Hayman of Ullock; Andrew Muir MLA; and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Member for Leeds South (Hilary Benn).

15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government introduces import ban of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany to protect farmers after Foot and Mouth case, published on 14 January 2025, whether the import ban will apply to Northern Ireland.

The measures announced on 14 January 2025 apply to imports into Great Britain. For Northern Ireland the controls on meat and live animals will apply to a 3 kilometres protection zone and 10 kilometres surveillance zones surrounding the infected premises in Germany. Products from the zones cannot move to Northern Ireland. Meat from outside these disease control zones can move into Northern Ireland, as can personal movements of food products. Additional health requirements will apply for movement of live animals from outside of these zones. The measures in place to protect farmers in Northern Ireland are strong. Given the strict prohibitions on the imports of animals and products of animal origin from countries in which foot and mouth disease is present, goods which transit Great Britain when moving from Germany to Northern Ireland are also subject to the same restrictions as imports into Great Britain.

Qualifying Northern Ireland goods will continue to have full unfettered access to the rest of the UK, these provisions are unaffected by these new control measures.

17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the regulation of Northern Ireland Water.

Water policy and regulation in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive. However, there are regular opportunities for ministerial discussions on a wide range of issues where there are shared challenges and opportunities.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the trade agreement between the EU and Mercusor on (a) food producers and (b) farmers in Northern Ireland.

The department has not made an assessment of the trade agreement between the EU and Mercusor. The department continuously monitors agri-food markets through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group.

5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions there have been under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.

Responsibility for enforcing the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 lies with English local authorities. Local authorities may keep records of individual enforcement activity, including cases that have led to prosecutions. However, the information requested regarding prosecutions is not held centrally by Defra.

Defra is finalising a post-implementation review (PIR) of the Regulations. The PIR considers the effectiveness of the regulations, including enforcement. The report into the review will be published shortly.

14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect the wild salmon population.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Between 2019 and 2023, the Environment Agency mitigated 58 barriers to fish passage on England’s salmon rivers. The Environment Agency also manages salmon fisheries in England, ensuring that 95% of salmon catches in 2023 were released, alive, through a combination of voluntary and mandatory measures.

Cleaning up the water environment is a key priority for Defra. The Government will be carrying out a review of the water sector regulatory system, with further details to be set out later this year.

Defra is also working internationally to protect salmon populations through participation in the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO). A full list of actions related to salmon conservation can be found in the England and Wales NASCO “Implementation Plan”, along with annual progress updates. The Environment Agency is currently re-assessing the key pressures on salmon, in England, ahead of producing a new Implementation Plan in 2025/26, to cover the 2025 – 2030 reporting cycle.

14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken with external stakeholders to remove excess phosphorus from cattle and pig slurry.

A recent £15 million round of the Farming Innovation Programme focussed on nutrient management, funding research projects to develop ideas and technology enabling farmers to manage their inputs and reduce environmental risk more effectively. Managing and recovering phosphorous in slurry is in scope of this competition and the successful projects will be announced in due course.

7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

The Government is aware of the calls for legislative changes within the veterinary industry. Officials are working closely with stakeholders to consider all options to support the sector.

4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to issue guidance for Northern Ireland importers on compliance with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to this in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

11th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department provides on whether the EU Deforestation Regulation will apply to Northern Ireland.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to Regulation 2023/1115 in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has received a request for assistance with algal bloom pollution in Lough Neagh from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland recently discussed the shared priority of improving water quality in the UK. There was agreement to collaborate further by enhancing joint scientific research and exchanging best practice methods to tackle pollution of culturally and economically important water bodies such as Lough Neagh.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
9th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to help prevent slugs entering traffic light controller boxes.

Responsibility for the design, installation and maintenance of traffic signal equipment, including controller cabinets, lies with the relevant local traffic authority. It is for them to ensure they procure equipment suitable for the conditions in which it is likely to be used.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will include motorcycling in all its forms as a specific element within the forthcoming integrated national transport strategy; and what her timetable is for publishing the strategy.

Later this year, the department will publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) and set the long-term vision for transport across England, placing people at the heart of how we plan, build, and operate transport. The Strategy will aim to address fragmentation and inefficiency across the transport system to ensure that people can easily, reliably, and safely carry out the journeys they want to make, however they choose to travel.

We have conducted extensive engagement with stakeholders and members of the public, including motorcyclists and motorcycle user representative groups, through a Call for Ideas, Regional Roadshows, and targeted sessions with seldom heard groups. As the Strategy is still in development, I am unable to comment on specific policy questions, but all the insights gathered through our engagement activities have been analysed and are being considered as the Strategy continues to evolve.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 8083 on Roads: Safety, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.

Officials continue to work on the complex draft regulations that would be required to commence Section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006. When this work is completed the Government will give consideration to enabling Section 19 to come to fruition in respect of mandated driving instruction standards for emergency services.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
20th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52794 on Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line, what funding is available for the reopening of rail lines across the United Kingdom.

While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the UK Government was uniquely able to offer funding for specific rail feasibility studies through Union Connectivity Development Fund. This fund was set up to address recommendations and next steps raised by the Union Connectivity Review.

The Government is currently working to finalise what will be a challenging Spending Review - while this work is continuing, I cannot comment further on funding availability.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the Union Connectivity Fund feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line.

The Department provided funding to Translink through the Union Connectivity Fund to deliver a feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line. The Department understands from Translink that they plan to publish their findings over the Summer and that they will engage with stakeholders to present the results.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is required for an airport to be designated as a level 3 airport.

For an airport to be designated as Level 3 slot coordinated, and therefore requiring the formal allocation of slots by an independent coordinator, the demand for operating services should exceed the airport infrastructure’s capacity for at least one scheduling period. Secretary of State approval is required to designate any airport as Level 3 slot coordinated.

12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on (a) establishing a watchdog to regulate the cost of charging electric vehicles and (b) encouraging electric vehicle use.

We are committed to the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles, as this will drive economic growth, help the UK meet its climate change obligations and improve air quality.

To support that transition, the Department for Transport continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive. Transport is a devolved matter, so this would be the decision of the Executive.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
31st Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a breakdown of funding for passengers with reduced mobility services at United Kingdom airports provided by her Department.

Under the UK law, the managing body of the airport is responsible for ensuring the provision of free assistance, for disabled or less mobile passengers. The UK aviation sector operates in a private market, therefore the sector is responsible for funding the provision of assistance.

17th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the cross-Government Taskforce on motor insurance will include representation from Northern Ireland.

We recognise that the concerns the Taskforce will work on are shared across the UK. Therefore, we have proposed a meeting of the Taskforce that includes representatives from the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss any key differences in markets across the UK and how these affect the cost of insurance for consumers.

This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October.

The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant Government Departments and by the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The Taskforce is supported by a separate Stakeholder Panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.

This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies and communities.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.

Ministers are giving consideration to this matter. An update will be provided in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Civil Aviation Authority have made on the Performance Framework for Airline Accessibility; and whether she plans to introduce enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the proposed regulations.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its new Airline Accessibility Performance Framework Guidance on 7 August 2024. It sets out requirements for airlines to meet existing legal obligations, and the criteria to be used by the CAA for airline accessibility assessments.

Everyone must be able to fly with dignity and ease. This Government is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and will consider the ways this can be best achieved.

4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Civil Aviation Authority's Airport Accessibility Performance Framework on the quality of assistance at airports; what steps she is taking to monitor that quality; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of such monitoring; and what (a) enforcement and (b) accountability measures are in place.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assesses airports on a yearly basis to ensure airports are meeting their legal obligations, and provides a rating on the airports performance against its Airport Accessibility Performance Framework.  It is for the the CAA as the independent regulator to develop the tools it needs to assess performance and take enforcement action as needed.  The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and it will continue to work with the CAA, industry and stakeholders to ensure that everyone can fly with dignity and ease.

3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has had discussions with the Minister of Communities in Northern Ireland on ensuring that Barnett consequentials from the Household Support Fund are utilised to support people no longer in receipt of Winter Fuel Payment.

The Government has announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.

An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.

The Household Support Fund operates in England only. It is for the Devolved Governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)