Written questions by Allister.

If she will take steps to (a) extend the duration of Bereavement Support Payments and (b) update those payments in line with inflation.

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) helps people through the immediate period following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments. Where longer-term financial support is needed, benefits such as Universal Credit have been specifically designed to provide assistance with ongoing living costs. We have no current plans to change the duration of Bereavement Support Payment.The rate of Bereavement Support Payment is reviewed on a discretionary basis as part of the annual uprating process, but there is no legal requirement to uprate it. BSP is not a cost-of-living benefit like Universal Credit, which has been increased in line with inflation. We will review the rate of Bereavement Support Payment later this year as part of the annual uprating process.

If he will take steps to ensure that (a) the Belfast News Letter and (b) other news outlets are given equal rights to ask questions at his Department's press conferences.

The Northern Ireland Office invites a wide range of news outlets to its departmental press conferences.During press conferences, as many news outlets as possible are given an opportunity to ask a question. However, it is not always possible for every medi...

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625, what charges are due to be placed on Northern Ireland businesses under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

This Government is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework, and work is ongoing to consider the introduction of charges on goods entering the EU via Northern Ireland ports to recoup the costs of carrying out required sanitary and phytosanitary checks. There will be no fees or charges for businesses using the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the updated General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) on SMEs shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The updated GPSR largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway to be compliant with the new Regulation to continue trading with the EU. However, we are providing more guidance in this area, will keep this under review and continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the EU Industrial Emission Directive on Northern Ireland; and what the associated costs are.

As set out in the Northern Ireland Protocol in the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the Industrial Emissions Directive will only apply to those installations in Northern Ireland that contribute to the Single Electricity Market. As of 2022 this was four installations. Industrial emissions policy is devolved to Northern Ireland. Defra continues to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive on industrial emissions policy through the ‘Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control – The Developing and Setting of Best Available Techniques Common Framework. Where rules in Northern Ireland change in alignment with the EU, the Framework provides governance structures and consensus-based processes for considering and managing the impact of these changes.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to regulation 13 of the Windsor Framework (Retail Movement Scheme) Regulations 2023, how many checks have been conducted on retail goods moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in each month since 1 January 2024, broken down by the number of each type of check undertaken.

In line with the commitments we have made, as we move to our new UK internal market system we will ensure that the only checks when goods move within the UK internal market system are those conducted by UK authorities as part of a risk-based or intelligence-led approach to tackle criminality, abuse of the scheme, smuggling and disease risks. But in order not to undermine that approach, as is the case across the UK we do not disclose the specific number or nature of interventions made by UK authorities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Plant Protection Product regulations on (a) supply issues, (b) the variety of products available and (c) the farming industry.

The Windsor Framework maintains the free flow of trade from GB to NI in the UK internal market. We are committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and protecting the UK internal market. DAERA as the responsible administration, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the regulator, liaise with manufacturers and grower groups on issues around Plant Protection Products (PPPs) availability to ensure the impacts on the farming industry in both NI and GB are minimised where possible.

What the planned remit for Great British Energy is in Northern Ireland; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Windsor Framework on the operation of Great British Energy.

We have set out significant detail on Great British Energy (GBE) after only three weeks in office, including that GBE will benefit all four corners of our United Kingdom whilst respecting the devolution settlements. We are resetting our approach to working with the devolved nations, because meaningful cooperation centred on respect will be key to delivering change across our United Kingdom. We are committed to close collaboration with Northern Ireland’s Ministers on GBE. We will work with the Northern Ireland Executive on the scope of GBE’s activities and the opportunities for Northern Ireland. We will set out further detail in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Windsor Framework on (a) the availability of veterinary medicines and (b) the farming industry after 31 December 2024.

A grace period arrangement for veterinary medicines remains in place until the end of 2025 and provides for the continuity of supply to Northern Ireland. Maintaining availability of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland after the end of 2025 is a priority. This Government will progress work on this issue as quickly as possible and we will continue to engage with the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries to fully understand the potential impacts.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Windsor Framework on (a) ware potato production in Northern Ireland and (b) the import of seed potatoes from Britain to Northern Ireland.

The Windsor Framework has lifted the ban on the movement of seed potatoes which can now move under the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label scheme, provided the movement is between a registered professional operator in Great Britain and a professional operator in Northern Ireland. Once planted in Northern Ireland, the new crop of seed potatoes can be sold with no restrictions. This reflects long standing arrangements for biosecurity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to operate regulations on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the context of the responsibilities of his Department (a) for the operation of those regulations and (b) under the terms of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024.

Defra, in line with the regulations taken forward last year to implement the Windsor Framework, has introduced and implemented arrangements for the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme and Northern Ireland Plant Health Label.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, whether he plans to implement the policies set out in that paper.

The Government is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and to taking all necessary steps to protect the UK internal market.

With reference to The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024, what functions he exercises direction and control over; and if he will publish the directions issued under those regulations.

The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations are intended to assist with the delivery of the arrangements adopted between the UK and EU as set out in the Windsor Framework and, more specifically, the operation of arrangements under the Windsor Framework concerning the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Government does not routinely publish details of discussions with officials working under its direction, whether under the terms of these regulations or otherwise.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Northern Ireland Protocol and (b) Windsor Framework on trends in the level of the supply of (i) goods and (ii) other materials to Northern Ireland.

In 2023, the value of goods associated with full declarations cleared by HMRC on GB to NI movements was £17.8bn, increasing by £3.6bn (26%) from 2022. More detail can be found here.The Department for Business and Trade continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland devolved government and all other stakeholders to ensure the Windsor Framework delivers positive outcomes for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland.

What bids have been submitted by the Northern Ireland Executive Department of Finance for 2024-25 based on the operation of the (a) Windsor Framework and (b) Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024; and what available funding has been confirmed for implementation of the Windsor Framework arrangements for 2024-25.

As set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, the UK Government has committed to fund the direct costs associated with reaching the required level of compliance to implement its obligations under the Windsor Framework. The provision under this commitment is set out in the Northern Ireland Office’s Main Estimates 2024-25 Memoranda.

Whether he has a planned timetable for making the ban on administering puberty blockers to children permanent.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has made clear his intention to consult on putting in place a permanent ban subject to the outcome of legal proceedings.As this is matter is subject to legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

Food and Rural Affairs, to whom staff in the Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland are accountable following the implementation of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulation; and whether steps have been taken to ensure effective operation of lines of accountability to the (a) local Northern Ireland Executive minister and (b) Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

In line with the Statutory Guidance that accompanied the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024, officials in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs are currently accountable to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a targeted subset of agri-food matters focused on the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ease restrictions set out under the Northern Ireland Protocol on (a) poultry exhibitors and (b) livestock owners from Northern Ireland who travel to and from shows and sales in Great Britain.

The Movement Assistance Scheme is available to support with the costs of moving live animals. The Government engages regularly with Northern Ireland stakeholders and would welcome engagement with those transporting poultry and livestock between Northern Ireland and Great Britain to understand how we can best support the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the competent authority is for the Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 in respect of Northern Ireland following the coming into force of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024.

The relevant competent authority is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has issued instructions to the Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland relating to the operation of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024.

The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 were published along with accompanying Statutory Guidance for Northern Ireland departments. In line with this guidance, Defra is working with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland on the targeted subset of agri-food matters for which the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has responsibility.