Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Wednesday 24 April 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is committed to safeguarding the Union through the Windsor framework and 'Safeguarding the Union' commitments.
  • The number of checks on people and goods travelling through Great Britain and Northern Ireland depends on trade volumes and risk-based approaches, with aims to reduce routine checks.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledges the success of the shared prosperity fund in Northern Ireland and hopes for its continuation, while being cautious about making assurances ahead of the next spending review period.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about Northern Ireland's stability within the Union and seeks assurance on government actions.

Question

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to safeguard Northern Ireland's place in the Union?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken with Cabinet colleagues to directly safeguard Northern Ireland's place in the Union were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The MP references the budget for installing border posts and seeks clarity on changes in checks since Windsor framework implementation.

Question

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?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific numbers of checks were not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Robert Buckland Con
Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

The MP highlights the importance of ensuring continuity in funding beyond March 2025 to secure Northern Ireland's place in the Union.

Question

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?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete assurance was given about funding beyond March 2025.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Business & Trade
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.

Question

May I ask the Secretary of State to update the House on those issues?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific updates on establishment and functions were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not confirm a successful conclusion by a specific date or outcome.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email