Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effect of the Northern Ireland Protocol on (a) British culture and (b) the status of the Union.

The union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has proved itself time and time again. But much of the progress we have seen in Northern Ireland rests upon the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, which secured peace and stability.

The Northern Ireland Protocol was expressly intended to protect the UK's integrity and to respect and uphold the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement. Its operation is currently presenting very significant challenges for people and businesses in Northern Ireland which is why we are in intensive discussions with the EU to find a way forward based on common-sense solutions.

This Government is committed to protecting and promoting the combined strengths of our union, building on hundreds of years of partnership and shared history.