Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of the level of private rental costs on renters in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker
Housing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Department for Communities to provide help and advice for private rented tenants in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the agenda for the Northern Ireland investment conference in September 2023.
Answered by Steve Baker
My officials worked closely with the Department of Business and Trade, the department leading on delivery of the event alongside Invest Northern Ireland. There was Ministerial direction and oversight throughout. A number of UK Government ministers from different departments played an active role in the Summit, which successfully showcased Northern Ireland’s innovation and technological strengths across its internationally renowned sectors to more than 100 global investors.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which representatives of political parties in Northern Ireland the Government plans to invite to the Northern Ireland investment conference in September 2023.
Answered by Steve Baker
Invitations were extended to the party leaders of each of the five main political parties: Alliance, DUP, SDLP, Sinn Fein and UUP. The invitation was extended to an additional member of each party for the Titanic welcome reception and ICC main summit, with the additional place allocated at parties’ discretion.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to appoint a Special Envoy to the United States of America on Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker
There is no plan to appoint a Special Envoy to the US on Northern Ireland at this time.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide increased financial support to people living in Northern Ireland represented by the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign in the context of the rising cost of living.
Answered by Steve Baker
Social security, state pensions and child maintenance are transferred matters in Northern Ireland.
However, the UK Government has taken decisive action to support the people of Northern Ireland with the cost of living. The one-off Cost of Living Payments announced in May will also be delivered UK-wide, and includes up to £650 for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners, and £150 for those in receipt of eligible disability benefits.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent steps he has taken to help reduce the cost of living for young people not in education, employment or training in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker
The UK Government has invested £15m in Skill Up which is delivering approximately 20,000 training places in Northern Ireland targeted at key growth sectors and supporting young people to develop the skills they need to find new employment opportunities.
The UK Government is supporting households across the UK with reduced energy bills this winter. In addition, UK households on eligible means-tested benefits will receive additional Cost of Living Payments totalling up to £900 in the 2023-24 financial year.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales on the effectiveness of the trade links between Northern Ireland and Wales.
Answered by Steve Baker
Trade within the UK internal market is vital to our economic prosperity and is a key part of the Government's commitment to strengthening the Union, bringing us closer together. Trade across the Irish Sea with Scotland, Wales and England account for nearly sixty percent of Northern Ireland’s total external trade. Trade between Wales and Northern Ireland is important to the success of both economies, and the Government remains committed to strengthening these routes, to level up all parts of the United Kingdom.
We are also committed to boosting overseas exports from Northern Ireland, and the Department for International Trade has established a hub in Northern Ireland to assist businesses to export. Invest NI, the Department for International Trade and the Northern Ireland Office will do everything they can to promote Northern Ireland's excellent goods and services.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many members of staff have left his Department since 12 December 2019.
Answered by Conor Burns
The number of staff members who have left the Northern Ireland Office since 12 December 2019 is 153. This figure is made up of 114 members of staff whose loan or secondment came to an end and 39 staff who not only left the department, but also the Civil Service.
Total Number of Loans Ending | Total Number of Actual Exits | Total Number of those who have left the NIO |
114 | 39 | 153 |
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the total budget was for his Department in each year since 2010.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Northern Ireland Office’s budget for each financial year since 2010 is available in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts. These are published on the Gov.uk website annually.
The Department’s budget for 2022-23 is included in the Government’s Main Supply Estimates 2022 to 23, published on Gov.uk by HM Treasury.