Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about a UK-wide approach to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic during the Christmas period.

The UK Government and Devolved Administrations continue to work closely together to ensure a coordinated approach to the pandemic across the United Kingdom. As set out in our joint statement on 25 September, the UK government and devolved administrations hold a shared commitment to suppressing the virus to the lowest possible level and keeping it there.

There have been regular discussions between Ministers and officials from the UK Government and from the Northern Ireland Executive. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been attending COBR meetings, as have the First Minister and deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland on occasion.

We have been co-ordinating with the NI Executive on our response to Covid throughout this year, seeking alignment in policy and approach wherever it is appropriate to do so. I was pleased we could agree on a shared approach across the UK to Christmas planning last week.