Written questions by Swann.

What proportion of war widowers eligible for the war widowers recognition payment received the payment in each of the last five years.

While the exact number of individuals eligible for the War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment Scheme is not known, the number of payments made under the Scheme between its launch on 16 October 2023 and closure on 15 October 2025 is shown below. 202302024237202512 Given the continued reduction in application numbers, the Government proceeded with the planned closure of the Scheme, as outlined at its inception.

Pursuant to the answer of 8th January 2026 to Question 103096, who is responsible for requesting the national security vetting for the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.

Responsibility for recruitment (including requesting national security vetting) for the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland lies with The Executive Office.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 7th January to Question 102317, on Shared Island Media Fund, if he will set out in detail the shared priorities between the UK and Ireland which are advanced by this initiative.

The Shared Island Media Fund will support efforts to improve media literacy (including working with Northern Irish organisations) and build capacity for high-quality, sustainable journalism, working to bolster media resilience in the digital age. Such priorities reflect challenges faced by both countries.

What mechanisms are in place for the Drug Tariff Committee and suppliers to provide input into revisions of the the Wave 1 Part IX categorisation published by the NHS Business Services Authority.

The final draft, version 1.2, of the Part IX Drug Tariff (Med Tech in the community) Wave 1 categorisation was developed in collaboration with an Expert Reference Group and updated in line with stakeholder feedback over four iterations. The final version was published in October 2025 and can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority Website at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/manufacturers-and-suppliers/drug-tariff-part-ix-informationThe Department is currently recruiting Independent Assessment Panels (IAPs) for Wave 1 and has agreed to ask them to review late feedback received from a company on the eye drops category. This is due to take place in February 2026 and will not require further input from industry as it has already been circulated for comment by them.The Department recognises that the categorisation is not stagnant and may need further amendments as medical devices continue to evolve and the IAPs are stood up. Companies can suggest further amendments when they apply to Part IX of the Drug Tariff or through the Drug Tariff Committee.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 99008, who is responsible for conducting the national security vetting for the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) acts as service providers for National Security Vetting (NSV) across His Majesty’s Government (HMG) for specific roles affording access to Protectively Marked Materials (PMM) sites and assets. The ultimate decision on whether to grant any level of NSV will be taken either by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV), the department or police force that requires the individual to hold clearance, or by the sponsoring authority that carries out this task on behalf of departments. In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Irish Government on the €14million Shared Island Media initiative.

The Shared Island Media Initiative is led and funded by the Government of Ireland. While from a UK perspective, only Northern Ireland will be able to benefit from the initiative, DCMS officials have had some initial conversations with Ireland’s Department of Culture, Communications and Media to learn about it. I have not been directly involved in these discussions, but my officials remain interested in how this initiative advances the UK's and Ireland's shared priorities.

What discussions he has had with the Irish Government on the €14million Shared Island Media initiative.

I regularly engage with the Irish Government on a number of issues of interest to both Governments, but to date, no discussions have taken place on the Irish Government’s Shared Island Media Fund.

Media and Sport, if she will review the limit on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, previously funded until March 2025, has been extended for one year with a £23 million budget. To ensure the budget remains affordable for this year, claims are now capped at £25,000 per place of worship. These changes were necessary given the inherited fiscal challenges and pressures on other parts of the heritage and cultural sectors. Departmental analysis indicates that 94% of applications will be unaffected by this change, with most claims typically being under £5,000. In order to ensure the scheme is available to as many listed places of worship as possible, within this context, we do not feel it is appropriate to reassess the cap for this financial year.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Local Growth Fund 2024/25 has been allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The UK Government will invest £45.5 million per annum of the Spending Review period to provide targeted, long-term funding to support local growth across Northern Ireland. The Local Growth Fund will begin delivery next April, and will be designed and delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive, the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. More information on the Local Growth fund in Northern Ireland including the delivery model will be set out soon.

For her assessment on the effectiveness of Stalking Prevention Orders.

Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG), is a top priority for this Government and the VAWG Strategy published on 18 December sets out clear action to tackle stalking as a part of this.Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) are an essential tool, designed to protect victims of stalking at the earliest possible opportunity and address the perpetrator’s behaviours before they become entrenched or escalate in severity.We know that the use of SPOs could be improved to better support victims and disrupt perpetrators. Therefore, the Government’s manifesto committed to strengthen the use of SPOs.We are delivering on this commitment by introducing a power for the courts to issue Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) on conviction or acquittal of their own volition through the Crime and Policing Bill. We are also strengthening the use of SPOs including through setting up SPO intensification sites in select forces which aim to drive up use of SPOs and provide opportunities to test innovative approaches to enforce conditions and monitor breaches, which could be adopted nationwide.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of City Growth Deals in Northern Ireland for implementing outcomes aligned with the UK Science and Technology Framework.

The UK Science and Technology Framework provides a holistic picture of the ten critical levers that the UK Government can use to drive growth and improve the lives of citizens through science and technology. We remain committed to the Framework and to applying these levers to ensure science and technology supports the delivery of core priorities, such as the Plan for Change and the Industrial Strategy.All Northern Ireland City Growth Deal project business cases are reviewed by UK Government departments to ensure strategic alignment with wider government priorities. This includes officials in both DSIT and UKRI, who assess strategic alignment with the UK Government’s priorities for science and technology, including the UK Science and Technology Framework.This process helps to ensure that City Growth Deals across Northern Ireland have taken account – at a local delivery level – of the UK Government’s priorities across science and technology, as set out in the Framework.

If he will provide an assessment on the role of Chaplains in the Armed Forces.

Chaplains play a vital role in the provision of holistic care and support of service personnel and their families. Their role is multifaceted, focusing on spiritual, moral and pastoral support for personnel of all faiths and beliefs, reflecting the diversity of British society and the Armed Forces. A chaplain’s role is especially important in operational contexts, where they are among the few individuals accessible outside the command structure; this enhances trust and makes them an important source of support and advice for Service personnel. They bolster morale and cohesion, leading religious services and ceremonial or commemorative events, reinforcing tradition and collective identity. Chaplains also contribute advice to commanders on the moral dimensions of leadership and the human impact of military decisions. Their input can shape the command culture and aid decision-making, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ emphasis on values and standards and being a force for good.

What steps she plans to take to enable the Northern Ireland Executive to retain monies received from identifying benefit fraud; and whether there is any blockage to this happening.

Benefit payments in Northern Ireland are a devolved matter.To make sure support goes to those who truly need it, the UK Government will work with the Northern Ireland Executive over the coming months on ways to tackle welfare fraud and error in Northern Ireland and on different funding options, including the potential to share a portion of resulting savings with the Executive.

Whether the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman’s national security vetting has been reviewed in the last 12 months: and whether the office holder has access to material classified as top secret.

The Police Ombudsman is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly, through the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice. The Office of the Ombudsman is a NDPB of the NI Department of Justice.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 9859 on Motor Insurance Taskforce: Northern Ireland, when she will publish the report from the Taskforce on motor insurance.

The Motor Insurance Taskforce final report was published on 10 December.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken in response to recent reports of Blue Tongue Disease being detected in Northern Ireland.

Disease control is a devolved matter and it is for the Devolved Governments to assess the disease risks and impacts in relation to their national herds, alongside the impacts of controls, and respond accordingly. Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK. Following the first suspected bluetongue case in Northern Ireland on 28 November 2025, Defra is working with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to review policy regarding movement of bluetongue susceptible animals between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with Invest Northern Ireland on its Strategic Cooperation Framework Memorandum of Understanding with the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK.

This Government supports UK businesses to do business with China – while being open-eyed to any risks.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November to Question 92336, on Asylum: Republic of Ireland, if she provide the exact date when her Department first briefed the Irish Government on her proposed changes on asylum.

The UK and Ireland share a unique relationship and a joint commitment to safeguarding the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This partnership includes close cooperation and the exchange of information on policies relevant to maintaining the CTA’s security and preventing abuse. Prior to the publication of the asylum and returns policy statement, Home Office officials engaged with their counterparts in Ireland on Friday 14th November 2025.

When her Department first briefed the Irish Government on her proposed changes on asylum.

The UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. That collaboration includes a joint commitment to protect the Common Travel Area from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens.

With reference to the Timms Review what steps he has taken to engage with deaf and disabled people and Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations in Northern Ireland.

Listening to the lived experience and expertise of disabled people will be critical to the Review’s success. Over the summer, I met with representatives from more than 50 organisations across the disability, welfare and co-production spaces, including organisations from all four nations.While PIP is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland, there is a long-standing principle of parity between the social security systems of the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government. It is therefore important that the Review hears from disabled people in Northern Ireland and the organisations that represent them.We have launched an open and accessible Expression of Interest to join the Review’s steering group, and we strongly encourage applications from people across the UK, regardless of background or location. The steering group will include a majority of disabled people or representatives of Disabled People’s Organisations.Once in place, the steering group will oversee a programme of engagement and participation that brings together the full range of views and voices.