Every parliamentary written question tabled by Robin Swann this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 214 · this parliament
When he plans to announce the location of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal.
The Ministry of Defence is continuing to consult with a range of stakeholders, including the devolved government, to finalise the details of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal. Once finalised, the focus and scope of the Defence Growth Deal will be announced.
What steps she has taken to help tackle rural (a) rural crime and (b) thefts in the last two years.
Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector. Under our Safer Streets Mission reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on equipment theft, anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent farm theft and fly-tipping. This financial year the Home Office will be providing the first Government funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit (£365,000) as well as continuing funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit (£450,000). This funding will enable them to tackle the crimes that mostly affect rural communities. Additionally, we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act and fully support its intentions to tackle the theft and re-sale of All-Terrain Vehicles. The Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on the scope of the legislation will be published soon. We hope to introduce the necessary legislation to Parliament this year. The Crime and Policing Bill will introduce a new power for the police to enter and search premises to which items have been electronically tracked by GPS or other means, where the items are reasonably believed to have been stolen and are on those premises, and where it has not been reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant from a court. This will provide a valuable tool for police in tackling stolen equipment and machinery.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to tackle illegal dog fighting in the last two years.
Dog fighting is illegal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Defra advises members of the public who have evidence of cruelty to animals to report it to the relevant local authority. They have powers under the 2006 Act to investigate allegations of cruelty, poor welfare, or neglect of animals. Since The Online Safety Act 2023 came into force in March 2025, social media firms must remove online content facilitating animal torture, including the promotion of, or footage depicting, illegal dog fighting.
What his policy is on the use of companion dogs in prisons.
We understand this Question to refer to “pets as therapy” (PAT) dogs.Prisoners are not permitted to have dogs in possession, but admittance of PAT dogs into prisons is covered in paragraphs 7.32 – 7.37 of HM Prison & Probation Service’s Prison Dogs Policy Framework: prison-dogs-pf.pdf; and section 13 of the Supplementary Guidance: prison-dogs-supplementary-guidance.pdf.
How much revenue the Exchequer has collected from the Apprenticeship Levy (a) in total and (b) from companies registered in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.
Receipts data for the Apprenticeship Levy is published by HM Revenue and Customs in their Tax and NIC Receipts publication which can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmrc-tax-and-nics-receipts-for-the-uk Receipts data based on company registered addresses do not reflect where liabilities are accrued or where employees are based. For example, the data on receipts from companies with registered addresses in Northern Ireland will not include businesses registered in Wales, Scotland, or England, who have a presence and pay employees in Northern Ireland.
Whether her Department is taking steps to help prevent slugs entering traffic light controller boxes.
Responsibility for the design, installation and maintenance of traffic signal equipment, including controller cabinets, lies with the relevant local traffic authority. It is for them to ensure they procure equipment suitable for the conditions in which it is likely to be used.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the value for money of funding the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.
Encouraging more young people into farming and land-based careers is vital to ensure a skilled workforce is in place and the longer-term viability of the sector. Defra works closely with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC). Defra provides funding of up to £30,000 per year for specific project-based activity which supports skills development and training. My officials continue to work very closely with the NFYFC to deliver the 2025-26 grant to ensure value for money.
What recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness (b) adequacy and (c) efficiency of the performance of the Motor Ombudsman in carrying out its functions.
The Motor Ombudsman is a non-statutory ombudsman, set up as a voluntary scheme by the industry and independent of government.The Motor Ombudsman's activities are documented in their annual reports, complying with the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015. These reports are accessible on its website.DBT funds the Chartered Trading Standards Institute who accredit and regularly audit The Motor Ombudsman against key principles including neutrality and effective complaints handling under a voluntary framework in the 2015 ADR Regulations.
Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs in each of the last five years.
In each of the last five financial years, Defra has provided the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) with the following amounts of funding:Financial YearFunding Amount2020/21£30,00021/22£30,00022/23£31,00023/24£27,545.9324/25£29,982.93
Food and Rural Affairs, he will list the programmes his Department (a) provides and (b) supports to tackle (i) isolation, (ii) social exclusion and (iii) mental health well-being for rural young people.
In 2025-26, Defra is providing £1.712 million to support local actions that address the needs of rural communities, some of which is used to support actions to tackle rural isolation, social exclusion and the mental health and well-being needs of young people in rural areas. Since May 2024, Defra has funded the Farmer Welfare Grant, providing £500k to support projects that improve the mental health and wellbeing of farmers in England. One recipient of the grant, the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN), is using its funds to deliver support to young farmers. Their support includes Installing an LRSN volunteer link worker into every Young Farmers Club in Lincolnshire; Formal Mental health and wellbeing awareness raising sessions delivered to 16 Young Farmers Clubs, Impact Group, and Riseholme College; and Recruitment and integration of two Emotional Wellbeing Workers into the Young Farmers Clubs and Riseholme Agricultural college. The Government is committed to increasing access to nature for all, especially young people, and recognises the importance for young people’s health and wellbeing. In 2024, Defra invested £4.45 million in a second phase of the Generation Green programme, enabling over 25,000 disadvantaged children and young people to experience the natural environment. Defra also leads a cross-Government Children and Nature Working Group to share best practices on improving outcomes for young people through nature. The £16 million Access for All programme has funded inclusive facilities like pedal and play areas for young people. Green Social Prescribing and wider nature-based activities have been shown to improve mental health in both adults and young people. Natural England works at a national and local level to embed Green Social Prescribing into NHS health services. Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework is a strategic tool which provides local authorities with principles, standards, guidance, and data to improve the lives of people and communities through nature, including access to nature, improving health and wellbeing, and building climate resilience. This includes providing comprehensive geospatial data on the quality of green and blue space, index of multiple deprivation and health, enabling local authorities to target action where its most needed.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 68868 on Companies: Economic Crime, of the businesses dissolved, how many had five or more registered at one address.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 70 addresses where 5 or more companies were dissolved in Northern Ireland. This impacted a total of 852 companies.A further 3,000 companies were located at the Companies House default address at the time of their dissolution during this period.
Who directed the ICS2 system to go live in August 2025.
The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the new safety and security system for certain goods moving by air, maritime, road or rail into Northern Ireland. It is already in use for air and bulk maritime movements into Northern Ireland, replacing the existing Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICSNI). The ICS2 system has been available for road movements since 1 April 2025, with operators initially having until 1 September 2025 to onboard to the new system. This has subsequently been extended to 31 December 2025 to give businesses more time to prepare to onboard to ICS2.
If she will include motorcycling in all its forms as a specific element within the forthcoming integrated national transport strategy; and what her timetable is for publishing the strategy.
Later this year, the department will publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) and set the long-term vision for transport across England, placing people at the heart of how we plan, build, and operate transport. The Strategy will aim to address fragmentation and inefficiency across the transport system to ensure that people can easily, reliably, and safely carry out the journeys they want to make, however they choose to travel.We have conducted extensive engagement with stakeholders and members of the public, including motorcyclists and motorcycle user representative groups, through a Call for Ideas, Regional Roadshows, and targeted sessions with seldom heard groups. As the Strategy is still in development, I am unable to comment on specific policy questions, but all the insights gathered through our engagement activities have been analysed and are being considered as the Strategy continues to evolve.
If he will publish a summary of the work completed by Intertrade UK since its appointment.
The Terms of Reference and Work Programme for Intertrade UK were published online on 26 August 2025. The body is now focused on implementing its work programme, which is based on three priorities: overcoming barriers to trade, promoting UK internal market opportunities and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity.
If he will publish a summary of the work completed by the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel which he appointed last year.
It is for the Independent Monitoring Panel to determine how they conduct their work and then to report to Government. The Panel’s first monitoring period ended on 30 June and the Government expects to receive their first report in due course. The Government will then publish it in accordance with its commitment to do so.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he is taking steps to introduce Equine Establishment Numbers for (a) horse and (b) other equine-based establishments.
This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19 May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient movement of trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of live animals, including animal health conditions governing the movement and importation of Equidae. The SPS Agreement is built on a commitment for the UK to regulate consistently with the EU on specific SPS rules. Defra is currently working to establish what implementation of the SPS Agreement will involve for equines.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Chief Commissioner and (b) Commissioner of Investigations of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Recovery.
A growing number of families are taking cases to the independent Commission and the Government has confidence in its team of dedicated staff to effectively deliver for them. The Court of Appeal has recognised the Commission’s structural independence and wide powers. The confidence of families in the Commission’s work is paramount and that is why this Government is in the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government's Legacy Act, and is committed to reforming the Commission to further strengthen its powers and independence.
When his Department will launch the consultation on Hughs Law.
A public consultation on further support for parents of seriously ill children, including Hugh's Law, will take place during 2026.
How many companies with addresses in Northern Ireland have been removed from the Companies House register in the last year by the National Economic Crime Centre.
The National Economic Crime Centre does not remove companies from the Registers of Companies. This is a function of the Registrars of Companies. During the most recent period for which published figures are available (April 2024 to March 2025), 10,096 companies were struck off the Register of Companies for Northern Ireland and dissolved. These statistics are available from Table A9 of the Companies Register Activities: Statistical Release April 2024 to March 2025. This can be accessed at the address below: Companies register activities: statistical release April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK
Pursuant the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62482, when he received the review of post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Lord Murphy provided the final report of the Independent Review on 9 July 2025, in line with the Terms of Reference for the Review.