Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Autumn Budget has been released and now impacts Northern Ireland.
What assessment he has made of the impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on Northern Ireland?
This Government are providing the Executive with an £18.2 billion funding settlement for 2025-26, a £1.5 billion increase from this year and the largest since devolution. It is now up to the Executive to decide how to allocate these funds.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Good Friday agreement mandates integrated education, which has received continued support from recent budgetary allocations.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the autumn Budget gives continued support for integrated education?
I certainly will, given public polls show strong support. About 8% of pupils are in integrated schools now; we hope to see that number increase.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The recent Budget has provided substantial funding to the Northern Ireland Executive.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the recent Budget gives the Northern Ireland Executive an opportunity to focus on economic growth?
The funding is more than anticipated, but it's about making choices and setting priorities with available resources. The Budget provides a sound foundation for decision-making.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The longest NHS waiting lists are currently found in Northern Ireland, necessitating reforms.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the Executive needs to set out clear steps for NHS and broader public service reform?
The longest waiting lists are in Northern Ireland, unacceptable for those waiting too long. A plan for reform exists; people want to see it implemented.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The change to agricultural property relief has led to a rally of 6,000 farmers opposing the decision.
Will the Government acknowledge that their figures do not reflect average farms and will this result in family farm break-ups?
I have spoken to relevant ministers about this. The changes are unwelcome, but necessary given fiscal constraints. There is a difference in how many farms will be affected; estimates show around 500 claims annually.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledging the impact on families' farms
Under Review
Difficult Decisions
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Police recruitment issues and the lack of a new police college are pressing concerns.
Will he give a commitment that he will speak with ministers about ensuring construction of the police college at Kinnegar?
That is an issue for the Executive. The position on funding has improved; more money from the Budget is given to the PSNI and UK Government increased security funding.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to discuss police college construction in Kinnegar
For The Executive
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The increase in employer national insurance contributions affects hospitality businesses negatively.
Does the Secretary of State agree that increasing national insurance contributions harms hospitality businesses and threatens jobs?
Businesses in Northern Ireland are looking forward to the future, despite challenges from the increase in employer NI contributions. The fiscal situation needed addressing; we're fixing it now.
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Assessment & feedback
Recognition of negative impacts on hospitality businesses
Looking Forward
Fiscal Inheritance
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State suggested that the Treasury had not yet conducted a detailed analysis of how the Budget would affect farmers in Northern Ireland.
Last week, the Secretary of State suggested to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that the Treasury had not yet conducted a detailed analysis of how the Budget will affect farmers in Northern Ireland. Has he now asked it to do so?
The Treasury has conducted an analysis of the overall number of farms that it thinks will be affected. It is important that people look at all the arrangements that we have put in place, including how individuals can pass £1.5 million on to family members and couples up to £3 million when all the allowances are added together, as well as interest-free payments over 10 years.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address whether the Secretary of State has asked the Treasury to conduct a detailed analysis specific to Northern Ireland's farmers.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
There is disagreement nationally about the figures, with the Government stating that not many farms will be affected while experts say many more farms will be impacted.
As the Secretary of State said, there is disagreement nationally about the figures. On one side, we have the Government who say that not many farms will be affected. On the other side, we have the experts who say that very many farms will be affected. Transparency will help everyone. Will the Secretary of State commit to asking the Chancellor to publish detailed Treasury working on the Budget's impact on farms in Northern Ireland so that independent experts can check their figures?
To understand the impact, we have to look at the ownership structure of each individual farm. I am not entirely sure whether the hon. Gentleman is advocating that the Government should do that for all farms right across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific request for a detailed Treasury analysis on Northern Irish farms.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Total income from farming in Northern Ireland fell by 44% last year amid volatile markets, soaring costs and declining output. More than 6,000 farmers recently gathered to highlight the impact that changes to agricultural property relief will have.
Total income from farming in Northern Ireland fell by 44% last year amid volatile markets, soaring costs and declining output. More than 6,000 Northern Ireland farmers recently gathered in the Eikon exhibition centre to highlight the impact that the changes to agricultural property relief will have on their sector. With dairy farming facing serious economic challenges and gross agricultural output declining, can the Secretary of State commit to publishing a full impact assessment of APR removal for Northern Ireland's farming sector, as well as its wider implications?
As I indicated in answer to the same question a moment ago, until we understand the ownership structure of each farm, I do not see how an impact assessment that would answer the hon. Member's question could be done.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific request for publishing an impact assessment of APR removal.
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Response accuracy