Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2024-04-24
2024-04-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about Northern Ireland's stability within the Union and seeks assurance on government actions.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to safeguard Northern Ireland's place in the Union?
The Government is committed to further strengthening and safeguarding the Union through the implementation of the Windsor framework and delivery of the 'Safeguarding the Union' commitments. Northern Ireland now has a stable Executive, supported by UK Government backing.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps taken with Cabinet colleagues to directly safeguard Northern Ireland's place in the Union were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references the budget for installing border posts and seeks clarity on changes in checks since Windsor framework implementation.
Will the Secretary of State please advise the House on the number of checks on people and goods travelling through Great Britain and Northern Ireland? Have those checks increased or decreased since the introduction of the Windsor framework?
The number of checks depends on whether they are in red or green lanes; trade increases mean more checks overall but a lower percentage. The aim is no routine checks within the UK internal market, with risk-based approaches to tackle criminality and disease risks.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific numbers of checks were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the importance of ensuring continuity in funding beyond March 2025 to secure Northern Ireland's place in the Union.
What clarification can the Secretary of State give to community, voluntary and other groups that need to plan ahead, and whose funding faces a cliff edge if they do not have assurances soon?
The Secretary of State is wary of giving too many assurances about the next spending review period due to potential changes post-election but acknowledges the success of the shared prosperity fund in Northern Ireland and hopes for its continuation strongly.
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Assessment & feedback
No concrete assurance was given about funding beyond March 2025.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expresses support for Northern Ireland's place in the Union and asks about progress on establishing bodies like the East-West Council and InterTrade UK.
May I ask the Secretary of State to update the House on those issues?
The Government held the inaugural meeting of the East-West Council in June. We are committed to establishing new bodies like InterTrade UK to promote trade within the UK, as part of safeguarding the Union's internal market.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific updates on establishment and functions were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Windsor framework and subsequent agreements do not address veterinary medicines. Agriculture is crucial to the Northern Ireland economy, producing ten times more food than needed. A veterinary medicines working group has been established but faces a cliff edge by the end of next year.
I am concerned about one issue absent from the Windsor framework: an arrangement for veterinary medicines. Agriculture is vital to the Northern Ireland economy and we produce ten times more food than required. The establishment of the veterinary medicines working group has been positive, but there is a cliff edge towards the end of next year. Can the Secretary of State inform the House that a successful conclusion will be reached?
The matter is important to the Government and for Northern Ireland. The priority is to secure a long-term sustainable solution on veterinary medicines through discussions with the EU, while preparing safeguards for all scenarios. A veterinary medicines working group has been set up to advise the Government; it has met twice and aims to report in June. Meanwhile, a grace period arrangement until the end of 2025 supports continuity of supply.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not confirm a successful conclusion by a specific date or outcome.
Response accuracy