Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Services

Wednesday 7 January 2026 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister had discussions with Northern Ireland Health Minister on sharing best practice.
  • Minister committed to ensuring close talks with Executive on digital services to keep pace with Dublin.
  • Minister mentioned that the Executive needs to determine how the record settlement is spent, including on policing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lauren Sullivan Lab Gravesham
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from the context of a record settlement provided to Northern Ireland for improving public services. The MP wishes to inquire about discussions on enhancing public service delivery through collaborative efforts.

Question

This Government have delivered the largest funding settlement to Northern Ireland since devolution. In addition to that record support to Northern Ireland, and across the United Kingdom, what discussions is the Minister having on sharing best practice with Northern Ireland and across the wider United Kingdom?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

My hon. Friend is right to mention that record settlement, but it is not just a question of cutting a cheque and walking away; it is also about working and sharing best practice, as she mentioned. I have had conversations with the Northern Ireland Health Minister about how we can share best practice as part of our 10-year NHS plan, and I am confident that we can continue to work together to deliver better outcomes.

Answered
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Q2 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
Northern Ireland Science & Technology
Context

The MP references Dublin's innovative digital services plan for public services as an example of best practice. He urges the Government to engage closely with the Executive to ensure that Northern Ireland keeps pace.

Question

Can I press the Minister on the discussions he is having with the Executive on digital services? Dublin has just produced a very innovative digital services plan for public services. I urge the Government to talk closely with the Executive to ensure that Northern Ireland keeps pace with Dublin in that area.

Answer from Matthew Patrick

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. I am very happy to ensure that that features in our conversations with Executive Ministers. Northern Ireland is leading the way in so many of these areas, so I will continue to have those conversations.

Answered
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Q3 Mike Wood Con Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Policing & Resources Northern Ireland
Context

The MP raises concerns about the current level of policing numbers being at their lowest ever, citing warnings from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Policy Exchange regarding the financial burden of reopening cases from the troubles.

Question

Policing numbers in Northern Ireland are at their lowest ever level. Both the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Policy Exchange have warned that reopening cases from the troubles will place a huge additional financial burden on the police, which would mean risks for both policing numbers and national security. Is the Minister happy with that situation? Will he let it happen, or will the Secretary of State be compensating the PSNI for the decisions made by his Department?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

A number of the cases are actually being taken away from the police service if the families refer those cases to the commission. As I mentioned in a previous answer, with a record settlement for Northern Ireland, it is for the Executive to determine how that money is spent, including how they are funding their police force.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Compensation for PSNI not directly addressed

How: Redirecting To Executive'S Responsibility

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Q4 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP expresses concerns about the recently published budget consultation in Northern Ireland, as well as an EU decision to ban over-the-counter sales of antimicrobial drugs. He requests updates on fiscal framework negotiations and actions to address the potential impact on health services.

Question

The Minister will be aware that the Finance Minister yesterday, in an ill-considered way, published his budget—not an agreed budget—for consultation. The Minister will know the pressures associated with that decision and he will know the challenges that brings for politics in Northern Ireland. One thing that has been absent from the lexicon of politics in Northern Ireland over a number of years is the fiscal framework. Can he update us on where his Government are on negotiations with the Treasury and the Northern Ireland Executive? The Minister will also know of the pressures that affect our health service in Northern Ireland. Alarmingly, we understand that the European Union is going to ban the sale of antimicrobial drugs without prescription. Although that should not apply in Northern Ireland, it will. Some 60,000 products are sold over the counter. Our health service could not facilitate 60,000 additional GP appointments. This is an alarming development and I would like to hear the Minister indicate that he not only understands the severity and impact of it, but is going to take steps to address it.

Answer from Matthew Patrick

I am pleased that, as part of that consultation, there is a record settlement of £19.3 billion to fund those services. The negotiations that the right hon. Gentleman mentions are continuing. I am aware of the reforms that the right hon. Gentleman mentions. The Government share the EU’s ambition to take action against antimicrobial resistance, but I am also aware of the potential impact on Northern Ireland’s health service, particularly the demand for GP appointments, as he mentioned. We have raised this, and I will be happy to write to him with an update in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps not detailed

How: Redirecting To Ongoing Negotiations, Promise To Follow Up

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