18 Dec 2024·Home Office·Answered
AskedIf she will have discussions with the devolved administrations on potential changes to the (a) criteria for and (b) duration of short term deployment of police officers to deal with unexpected civil d
ReplyOperational matters – including requests for and provision of Mutual Aid in response to public disorder – are primarily a matter for police forces who are operationally independent of government.
17 Dec 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhether he has held discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of the Windsor Framework on any proposed UK wide smoking ban in Northern Ireland.
ReplyThe Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced on the 5 November 2024, has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as with other departments across the wider Government. We inte...
17 Dec 2024·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Government expects to conclude revised negotiations with the Mauritian Government on the future of the Chagos Islands.
ReplyThe negotiations with Mauritius have been ongoing for over two years.On 20 December the UK and Mauritius issued a joint public statement which made clear that Mauritius and the UK have held a series of productive, ongoing conversations and exchanges on fi...
17 Dec 2024·Department for Business and Trade·Answered
AskedIf he will have discussions with (a) eBay, (b) Etsy, (c) Folksy and (d) other online suppliers and platforms on steps to help ensure that consumers placing orders in Northern Ireland are not disadvanta
ReplyWe continue to support businesses in ensuring a smooth flow of goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, including through regular engagement with online suppliers and platforms. DBT regularly talks to online suppliers and platforms, and work...
17 Dec 2024·Treasury·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 17516 on Royal Mint: Fraud, whether any of the fraudulent transactions were traceable to (a) people and (b) agencies based outside the United Kingdom.
ReplyThe Royal Mint engaged the relevant law enforcement agencies as part of the fraud incident detailed in their Annual Report and Accounts for 2022-23. These investigations are confidential and as such, we cannot comment on whether the transactions were trac...
17 Dec 2024·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12917 on InterTrade UK, when he plans to announce the (a) remaining membership appointees and (b) first and subsequent meetings of InterTrade UK.
ReplyPreparatory work necessary to establish Intertrade UK is ongoing. I expect to be in a position to announce the membership of the body and the date of the first meeting at the earliest opportunity in the New Year.
16 Dec 2024·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedHow much funding his Department plans to provide for renewable energy projects through the Clean Industries Bonus in Northern Ireland in 2025.
ReplyClean Industry Bonuses are to be awarded through a competitive process, with an initial budget of £27m per gigawatt of offshore and floating offshore capacity that applies for the bonus in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7. Given the competi...
16 Dec 2024·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat the total cost is of the Spearfish heavy weight torpedo programme.
ReplyThe total funds allocated for the Spearfish torpedo programme are approximately £1154 million which incorporates the cost of the through life management of the programme.
16 Dec 2024·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhether she plans to introduce further pathways under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
ReplyWe are determined to honour our commitment to those who supported us in Afghanistan and who stood up for freedom and democracy, placing their own lives at risk.As of September 2024, we have brought around 33,400 individuals from Afghanistan - or a third c...
16 Dec 2024·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhen he plans to launch the Global Combat Air Programme development phase of the next generation fighter aircraft.
ReplyWork is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025.
13 Dec 2024·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 14917 on Driving Licences: Northern Ireland, when she plans to announce the other measures.
ReplyFurther measures to support young and novice drivers are being considered. More information will be set out in due course.
13 Dec 2024·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhen he expects the independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane to begin sitting.
ReplyThe Inquiries Act 2005 sets out clear steps to follow in setting up an inquiry, including the appointment of the Chair, agreement on the Terms of Reference, working through the necessary logistics such as facilities and services procurement, and setting u...
13 Dec 2024·Treasury·Answered
AskedHow many non-domestic politically exposed persons have been prosecuted since the amendment to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 became operational in January 2024.
ReplyThe Ministry of Justice holds prosecution statistics; however, these statistics are not separated by the status of individuals as politically exposed persons (PEPs). The enforcement of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regula...
12 Dec 2024·Home Office·Answered
AskedHow many people who arrived in the UK by small boats since 5 July 2024 are (a) male and (b) female.
ReplyThe Home Office publishes quarterly statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Quarterly data on detected irregular arrivals by sex and method of entry, including small boat arrivals, is p...
12 Dec 2024·Treasury·Answered
AskedWhen the Office of Budget Responsibility is next due to have an external review.
ReplyThe Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 states that the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR's) Non-executive committee must appoint a person or body at least once in every 5-year period to review and report on the OBR. The Chair of the O...
12 Dec 2024·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with representatives of the incoming U.S. President on the appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
ReplyThe Foreign Secretary has not discussed the appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland with representatives of the incoming US President. Appointments by the incoming US administration are a matter for them. We will work constructively with who...
11 Dec 2024·Treasury·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 4181 on Banking Hubs, when she expects the 350 banking hubs to be operational.
ReplyThe Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end ...
11 Dec 2024·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedIf she will hold discussions with train operating companies on the adequacy of rail fare structures for passengers.
ReplyWhile it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. Through legisl...
11 Dec 2024·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat recent estimate he has made of when the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner will be appointed.
ReplyThe Government recognises the dedicated service of all our veterans and is committed to supporting the veteran community across the whole of the UK.I have previously made clear my intention to confirm the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Com...
11 Dec 2024·Department for Work and Pensions·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17079 on Pension Credit: Social Security Benefits, what the average weekly cash total equivalent is of the additional qualifying benefits to which P
ReplyNo estimate has been made as the department is unable to quantify the value of all passported benefits.