Written questions by Allister.

What provision of what statute requires that cars sold in Northern Ireland from 1 February 2026 must have EU Vehicle Type Approval; and whether that law changes on 1 January 2026.

The EU type approval regulations for new cars are applied in Northern Ireland by Article 5(4) and Annex II of the Windsor Framework. This has applied since the original protocol entered into force on the 1st January 2021 and will continue to apply after the 1st February 2026. There will be no changes relating to the application of the EU type approval requirements in Northern Ireland on 1st January 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what determinations govern jurisdiction in Lough Foyle; and what measures are in place to regulate aquaculture in the Lough.

The Government's position on Lough Foyle has not changed. The regulation of activities in Lough Foyle is the responsibility of the Loughs Agency, a cross-border body established under the Belfast Agreement of 1998. We remain fully committed to these arrangements, while open to ways to improve the management of the Lough.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement UIN HCWS1118, of 2 December 2025, on Announcement of funds raised through the first year of the Statutory Gambling Levy, what proportion of the £120 million was raised as a result on the levy as it applies to (a) online and remote and (b) terrestrial gambling.

Approximately 83% of 25/26 levy funds were raised from remote licence holders. The remainder was raised from non-remote licence holders.

Whether there has been a Government response to the 'Common charger for electrical devices: call for evidence', launched on 9 October 2024; and what his policy is on chargers for electrical devices.

The Call for Evidence sought views on whether standardised charger requirements, similar to those adopted by the EU under Directive (EU) 2022/2380 and applying in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, would benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment. Many manufacturers already use common chargers to meet the EU rules and have indicated they will extend this approach across the UK to avoid supply chain complexity.The Government will publish its response in the new year, setting out policy direction. Meanwhile, businesses may continue using either UKCA or CE marking to sell common charger radio equipment in Great Britain.

Innovation and Technology, with respect to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the Technology Prosperity Deal published on 18 September 2025, what assessment has the Government made of the role that Northern Ireland companies and universities can play in delivering the eight component parts of its Accelerating AI Innovation Strategy, and what steps has it taken to secure full Ireland engagement in this aspect of the Technology Prosperity Deal.

The Technology Prosperity Deal supports businesses, universities and research organisations across the whole of the UK, including in Northern Ireland, to unlock growth for our most strategically important tech companies and harness R&D to tackle some of the most pressing problems we face. The Deal was informed by experts from across the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland’s universities and companies are recognised as key partners in delivering the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. Recent government investment of £2 billion from the AI Opportunities Action Plan aims to target and benefit all regions of the UK and highlights Northern Ireland’s growing strengths in artificial intelligence and next-generation networks. We are also working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the delivery of our flagship TechFirst programme. Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to several NI tech firms and universities in Belfast, to make sure the business ecosystem is meeting the needs of NI AI and tech companies to international markets, including the United States. We continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive on matters relating to growth to ensure we are working collaboratively to achieve the best results for the people of Northern Ireland.

What proportion of goods movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 were made under the UK Internal Market Scheme.

HMRC published trade statistics for goods moving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain for the period from January 2024 to 31 December 2024 on gov.uk. They can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/summary-of-movements-of-goods-into-northern-ireland-from-great-britain-2024/summary-of-movements-of-goods-into-northern-ireland-from-great-britain-2024-commentary. This information does not include a breakdown of movements made under the UK Internal Market Scheme as these movements can include mixed consignments, with goods either being 'not at risk' or 'at risk' of entering the EU. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a direct split. The government remains committed to the smooth flow of goods within the UK internal market, including the guarantee that 80% of freight movements will move within the UK internal market system. The Independent Monitoring Panel reported that for the period 1 January-30 June 2025, this guarantee was met and published the basis for its assessment accordingly.

Whether businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will be required to meet additional requirements as a result of the introduction of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on 1 January 2026.

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) does not apply in Northern Ireland. Business in Northern Ireland, like all businesses in the UK, may need to provide information to their EU-based importers to help them meet their requirements under the EU CBAM. To support business readiness for the EU CBAM, the Department for Business and Trade offers a comprehensive support package, including the Export Support Service, webinars, and an upcoming digital explainer on business.gov.uk, signposting to relevant European Commission resources.

Food and Rural Affairs, where in Northern Ireland can machinery be taken to secure full Phytosanitary checks and the requisite paperwork so it can then be sold into the Republic of Ireland.

Where used agricultural and forestry machinery moves from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and is to be sold into the Republic of Ireland or other EU countries in the future, full Official Controls Regulations apply, and a phytosanitary certificate is required for the movement. It is not possible to retrospectively conduct phytosanitary checks in Northern Ireland.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the potential implications of the simplifications made by the EU to the EU Deforestation Regulation in terms of (a) its impact on the UK economy in Northern Ireland, (b) the timetable for the Northern Ireland Assembly to consider the legislation and (c) the timetable for the application of the legislation to Northern Ireland.

We are currently reviewing the latest EU proposals. We will take them into account as part of our ongoing considerations.

With reference to the UK Internal Market System, how many unclosed supplementary declarations were there on 1 October 2025.

There are several facilitations available to businesses moving goods within the UK Internal Market System. Businesses can choose to make use of Simplified Customs Declaration Processes (SCDP), such as the Entry in Declarants Records (EIDR) process when moving goods into Northern Ireland. This allows businesses to have up until the 10th calendar day of the month following the goods entering Northern Ireland to submit a supplementary declaration. HMRC cannot provide the number of unclosed supplementary declarations as HMRC does not have direct access to all traders’ records that make use of EIDR. HMRC continues to support businesses to comply with their legal obligations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 90013 on UK Internal Trade, with reference to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January - 30 June 2025, what proportion of the 96% movements by value moved without the payment of a duty (a) were made in compliance with (i) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1128 of 24 March 2023 and (ii) Regulation (EU) 2023/1231 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 and (b) were made under the full EU Customs Code, Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013.

The role of the Independent Monitoring Panel does not cover reporting on the legislative basis under which movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland take place.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the impact of Physical Infrastructure Access costs on the deployment of fibre optic broadband in rural areas.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.My officials are regularly engaging with Ofcom to ensure that we have the right regulatory environment in place to promote competition and investment in the fibre roll-out across the UK, including in rural areas.In July, we published our draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing in the fixed telecoms sector, including asking Ofcom to demonstrate greater transparency in how they calculate and set PIA prices.

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom will review Physical Infrastructure Access pricing in the Telecoms Access Review.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.My officials are regularly engaging with Ofcom to ensure that we have the right regulatory environment in place to promote competition and investment in the fibre roll-out across the UK, including in rural areas.In July, we published our draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing in the fixed telecoms sector, including asking Ofcom to demonstrate greater transparency in how they calculate and set PIA prices.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of market concentration in the veterinary medicines supply chain in Northern Ireland, including the establishment of online or centralised distributors, following the end of the grace period.

The Department has engaged intensively with all stakeholders involved in the vet med supply chain to understand impacts on availability in Northern Ireland. Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland is a Government priority. The Department continues to engage extensively with stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with veterinary medicines supply beyond 2025. From 1 January, the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme (VMIMS) and the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme will help to plug any supply gaps. Our current assessment shows a low number of discontinuations. Through our supply chain assessment, the Department is aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. The Department is also working to ensure that the VMIMS operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of high launch prices set by major pharmaceutical firms on NICE’s cost-effectiveness assessments; and what steps are being taken to prevent such pricing from restricting patient access to new treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether all new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines in line with NICE’s recommendations, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. NICE’s process ensures that new licensed medicines will only be routinely funded by the NHS where the evidence demonstrates that their costs are justified by the benefits that they bring for NHS patients. As part of NICE’s appraisal process, companies are able to propose patient access schemes to improve their value proposition with the aim of securing a positive NICE recommendation. NICE is able to recommend the vast majority of the medicines that it appraises, with 91% of medicines recommended for the NHS use in the last year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure clear and timely public communication to farmers and pet owners in Northern Ireland on changes to the availability and prescribing of veterinary medicines after 31 December 2025.

The Government has been taking steps to support businesses and end-users in preparation ahead of 1 January. This includes communications to the farming sector and pet owners. The department published guidance, including a manual with specific information for pet owners and farmers.

Food and Rural Affairs, when final commercial decisions from manufacturers on veterinary medicine product availability in Northern Ireland will be communicated to veterinary practices and Suitably Qualified Persons.

Most pharmaceutical companies have already taken or are taking steps to make the required adjustments so we are confident that the disruption to veterinary medicines supply will be limited. Several larger companies have also communicated these decisions publicly. For those that have not, we continue to strongly encourage them to inform businesses as soon as possible about their intentions. However, following extensive stakeholder engagement, our assessment shows that most products currently on the Northern Ireland market will still be available. We have identified fewer than 20 products where discontinuation would pose significant risks to animal health and welfare if these risks were not addressed; the two schemes that we are introducing will serve to address those risks. Although these figures may change as pharmaceutical companies take steps to adjust before the end of the year, we are not expecting to see a significant change and continue to monitor the situation closely.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the readiness of (a) veterinary practices and (b) farm businesses in Northern Ireland for changes to regulations on veterinary medicines.

We continue to engage extensively with industry stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with continued availability of veterinary medicines beyond the grace period. This includes engagement with veterinary and farmer associations and businesses. The Government has also issued extensive guidance and intends to publish several webinars shortly. This guidance provides information to help veterinary practices and farm businesses prepare.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide real-time operational guidance to veterinary practices and Suitably Qualified Persons in Northern Ireland on product availability changes after 31 December 2025.

Guidance was published in June and recently updated reflecting industry feedback; the updated guidance that was published included specific references to vets and suitably qualified persons.

What steps the Government is taking through the UK Life Sciences Industrial Strategy to prevent incentives or regulatory reforms from enabling large pharmaceutical companies to increase medicine prices; and whether the Government will publish an impact assessment of how current industry pricing behaviours influence NHS drug costs and UK supply-chain resilience.

The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) controls the cost of sales of branded medicines to the National Health Service. The VPAG has a variable headline payment percentage, which accounts for changes to the cost of medicine sales to the NHS. The VPAG also contains a mechanism for allowing price increases for specific medicines. No scheme member may increase the NHS list price of any medicine without the Department’s prior approval.Investing in the newest medicines so that patients can get access to life saving treatments is a critical part of a modern health care system and one that many charities and patient groups frequently call for. As part of our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we've committed to working with industry to accelerate growth in net spend on innovative medicines compared to the previous decade.The resilience of United Kingdom supply chains is a key priority, and the Department and NHS England are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. We are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and strengthen our resilience. As part of that work, we continue to engage with industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and other colleagues across the supply chain as we progress work to co-design and deliver solutions. However, medicine shortages are a complex and global issue and everyone in the supply chain has a role to play in addressing them, with any action requiring a collaborative approach.