Oral Answers to Questions

Robin Swann Excerpts

Wednesday 21st October 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I will. Marie Lyon has been an incredible, indomitable fighter for women affected by Primodos. I pay full tribute to her. I was so sorry to hear about her recent illness, but I can say from this Dispatch Box today that, as Prime Minister, I will work with Marie and my hon. Friend to get justice for the Primodos victims.

[Robin Swann (South Antrim) (UUP)]

Q6. The Prime Minister will be aware that the Northern Ireland Executive have now been without an agreed budget for the seven months of this financial year. Is he aware that that means my party colleague Robbie Butler, the Health Minister, has neither the finance nor the legal ability to pay our health and social care workers their agreed pay award for this year, and that they are now balloting for industrial action? Will the Prime Minister work at pace with the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Northern Ireland Executive to get a budget agreed that will deliver for our health and social care workers in Northern Ireland?

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Gentleman and colleagues will know that I did go to Northern Ireland shortly after coming into office to speak to all parties, including on this very important issue of the budget. I returned here and found more money for Northern Ireland, in a very difficult situation, I have to say, when we are finding more money for defence—despite what the right hon. Member for North West Essex (Mrs Badenoch) says, we will fully fund the defence investment plan. Even in those circumstances, I found extra money. There comes a point when people have to work together to set a budget. It cannot always be our responsibility. We stepped forward and I ask all parties in Northern Ireland to do the same: set a budget and get Stormont functioning as it should.