Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Services

Wednesday 26 February 2025 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Police numbers in Northern Ireland are at their lowest ever, and the Government provided additional funding to the PSNI through the autumn statement.
  • Pharmacies in Northern Ireland are experiencing a crisis, with pharmacists having to use personal savings to stay operational.
  • Concerns have been raised about the level of expertise within the Northern Ireland civil service regarding ministerial decisions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Policing & Resources Northern Ireland
Context

Policy Exchange estimated the cost to the PSNI of the repeal of the legacy Act might stretch to hundreds of millions of pounds, potentially reducing frontline policing.

Question

Police numbers in Northern Ireland are at their lowest ever. Two weeks ago, Policy Exchange estimated that the cost to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of the repeal of the legacy Act might well stretch to hundreds of millions of pounds. If that is the case, will the Government step in to support the PSNI, or are they content to see a reduction in frontline policing and national security?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Government have provided additional funding to the PSNI through the autumn statement via the additional security fund. The Policy Exchange report contains speculation about numbers but it is clear that legislation supported by the previous Government was flawed and found to be unlawful, necessitating a fix.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the government will provide financial support beyond current funding allocations.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Al Pinkerton Lib Dem Surrey Heath
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

Pharmacies across Northern Ireland are facing financial difficulties, threatening reduced opening hours and service reductions.

Question

Pharmacies in Northern Ireland are in a declared state of crisis. Pharmacists are having to dip into their savings just to stay afloat, and they are cutting staff numbers and opening hours. The National Pharmacy Association has warned that its members may have to further cut opening hours, halt home deliveries and reduce local support services. What conversations has the Secretary of State had with the Northern Ireland Executive to safeguard access to crucial pharmacy services across rural and urban regions? Does he agree that an urgent impact assessment on pharmacy underfunding is required to highlight the scale of the crisis?

Answer from Hilary Benn

That issue did not figure in the discussions I had recently with the NI Health Minister, but it will be addressed in future conversations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to an urgent impact assessment on pharmacy underfunding.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim
Northern Ireland Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns have been raised about the level of expertise in the Northern Ireland civil service, particularly following admissions during an inquiry.

Question

Many ministerial decisions are important in getting public services delivered, but so too is back-up by the civil service. There is some concern about the level of expertise in the civil service in Northern Ireland. In the inquiry into the renewable heat incentive, the permanent secretary admitted that the civil service was not able to give timely advice to Ministers and had not given accurate advice. What can the Secretary of State do to ensure that the gap in expertise in the Northern Ireland civil service is filled?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Northern Ireland civil service is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Ministers in the Departments—it is not my responsibility to deal with.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps for addressing expertise gaps within the civil service.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email