Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 82237 on Import Controls, whether the construction of the border control posts at (i) Belfast, (ii) Larne, (iii) Foyle and (iv) Warrenpoint had been completed by 2 March 2026 or whether any aspects of construction were ongoing or incomplete as of that date; how much and what proportion of the total costs of the construction of those posts had been paid by 2 March; and whether any further payments for construction have yet to be made.

In line with the commitments the Government has made under the Windsor Framework, construction of SPS Inspection Facilities at Belfast, Larne, Foyle, and Warrenpoint are in place and these facilities are operational. Remaining works at the 2 March were limited to minor snagging and commissioning activities in line with normal construction practice and include additional works at Larne which will enhance the live animal inspections already in place.

The Government has committed a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £144.1 million up to the 02 March 2026 in relation to the construction of the SPS facilities. Further payments for construction have yet to be made in accordance with contractual terms, however the total expenditure is forecast to be within the maximum funding envelope.