Found: include: replacing the 2023 Legacy Act through successfully delivering the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Found: NITB0020 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner

Found: NITB0019 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill The Special Air Service Regimental Association

Found: Joint Committee on Human Rights Uncorrected oral evidence: Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Found: NITB0018 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Professor Kieran McEvoy Written Evidence

Found: Q199 Gavin Robinson: Secretary of State, I have three quick questions on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Found: NITB0017 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Oliver Sanders KC Written Evidence

Found: In deciding to lay a Remedial Order alongside the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, I reflected carefully

Found: I want to go back to David and something rather delicate that you raised— the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Found: I am very happy to continue to assist the Committee as the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill progresses

Found: Joint Committee on Human Rights Uncorrected oral evidence: Legislative scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Found: Joint Committee on Human Rights Uncorrected oral evidence: Legislative scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Found: NITB0011 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill 33 Bedford Row chambers Written Evidence

Found: NITB0010 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill NI Human Rights Commission Written Evidence

Found: We will however undertake legislative scrutiny of the related Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Found: In the latest Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, schedule 4 mirrors, from what I can see, schedule 8.

Found: NITB0014 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) Written

Found: NITB0013 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Newcastle University, and Queen's University

Found: NITB0012 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill University of Bristol Written Evidence

Found: NITB0008 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Sidley Austin LLP Written Evidence

Found: NITB0007 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Human Rights First Written Evidence

Found: NITB0007 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Human Rights First Written Evidence

Found: NITB0006 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Committee on the Administration of Justice

Found: NITB0006 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Committee on the Administration of Justice

Found: NITB0005 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Relatives for Justice Written Evidence

Found: NITB0004 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Pat Finucane Centre Written Evidence

Found: NITB0003 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Amnesty International UK Written Evidence

Found: NITB0001 - Legislative Scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill FairGo CIC Written Evidence

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland about the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since the publication of the Joint Framework in September 2025.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government meets regularly with the government of the Republic of Ireland to discuss the progress made in implementing the two Governments’ respective commitments set out in the Joint Framework.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the proposed legislative timetable for Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will help victims and families to obtain the information and accountability they have long sought, whilst ensuring our veterans are treated with fairness and respect. The legislation will have its committee stage as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they assess clauses 89 and 90 of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, in light of sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 being found incompatible by the Northern Ireland High Court in Dillon and others.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The High Court found the provisions which concerned Interim Custody Orders in sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 to be incompatible with our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

As set out in the written ministerial statement [HCWS1063] made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 18 November 2025, we have carefully considered the High Court ruling and have tabled an alternative approach with clauses 89 and 90 to address the erroneous interpretation made in Adams regarding the application of the Carltona principle.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to proceed with the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Yes. The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will establish a reformed, human rights compliant and wholly independent Legacy Commission, which will carry out investigations and provide family reports to give victims and their families the answers they deserve. The Bill will proceed to Committee stage as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, which military cohorts (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, which associations (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, if he will provide a list of the veterans groups that (a) he and (b) Ministers have met to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 104231 on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 104230 on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 103365 on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on recruitment and retention with the (a) Chief of the Defence Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff, (c) First Sea Lord, (d) Chief of the Air Staff, and (e) Commander Cyber and Specialist Operations Command.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

My Ministerial colleagues and I routinely meet with the Single Service Chiefs, where we discuss a range of priority Defence matters.

The hon. Member will understand that it would be inappropriate to comment further on these discussions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill with any members of the armed forces senior command.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

My Ministerial colleagues and I routinely meet with the Single Service Chiefs, where we discuss a range of priority Defence matters.

The hon. Member will understand that it would be inappropriate to comment further on these discussions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Minister for the Armed Forces answer to an Urgent Question on 5 January 2026 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, whether any current members of the armed forces senior command have raised the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on recruitment and retention.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

My Ministerial colleagues and I routinely meet with the Single Service Chiefs, where we discuss a range of priority Defence matters.

The hon. Member will understand that it would be inappropriate to comment further on these discussions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 103813 on Veterans: Northern Ireland, whether any of the universal protections will apply to alleged paramilitaries.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. They will apply to all those required to give evidence to the Legacy Commission.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 103813 on Veterans: Northern Ireland, if he will specify which of the five protections will apply universally.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. They will apply to all those required to give evidence to the Legacy Commission.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 103813 on Veterans: Northern Ireland, how many of the five protections will apply universally.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. They will apply to all those required to give evidence to the Legacy Commission.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, what the evidential basis is that recruitment and retention to the armed forces has not been impacted by the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

UK Regular Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow at the Tri-Service level and strength has remained stable. We are pleased to be reversing the trend of decline, with more people joining our Armed Forces than leaving for the first time in four years. The evidential basis for this has come from the latest Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, published on 1 October 2025.

The statistics show that in the past 12 months (1 October 2024 - 30 September 2025), 14,100 people joined the Regular Armed Forces, an increase of 1,650 (13 per cent) compared with the previous 12-month period. In the same period, 13,860 people left the Regular Armed Forces a decrease of 1,220 (8 per cent) compared with the previous 12-month period.

This information can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-1-october-2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received representations on the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on military operational capability.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 is being repealed and replaced by new legislation. The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will deliver new safeguards specifically designed for veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The Ministry of Defence continues to consult with veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, whether the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will prevent former members of paramilitary organisations from sitting on the Legacy Commission.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, at the Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent), on 24 November 2025 to Question HL11718 in the House of Lords.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, how many of the five protections for veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will apply to (a) coronial inquests and (b) subsequent criminal investigations.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has worked closely with veterans’ groups to develop protections that apply both to Coronial Inquests and the Legacy Commission, so that veterans giving evidence as witnesses are protected regardless of which legacy mechanism they engage with.

The presumption in favour of remote evidence will apply across Coronial Inquests and Legacy Commission Inquisitorial Proceedings. The Troubles Bill also extends the right to request anonymity, currently applicable to inquests, to Legacy Commission Inquisitorial Proceedings.

The duty not to duplicate any aspect of previous investigations unless essential, the highest legal bar, will apply to all investigations and Inquisitorial Proceedings conducted by the Legacy Commission, and to coronial inquests.

As for witness welfare, the Legacy Commission is required to have regard to this in all investigations, while coroners must adhere to witness management protocols that dictate consideration of welfare. Finally, the Victims and Survivors Advisory Group, which can include representation from the armed forces, will provide advice to the Legacy Commission and the Secretary of State. It will have no role in relation to inquests.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether veterans groups were consulted on the six lawful and deliverable protections in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has announced new protections and safeguards designed specifically for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Legacy Act, and that respond directly to the views expressed by veterans during engagements that the Government has undertaken.

All of the protections that the Government has announced are being introduced in order to protect and ensure fair treatment of any veteran who is asked to engage with legacy mechanisms.

The Government continues to engage closely with veterans and their representatives at both ministerial and official level, and to listen to their views. This includes meetings with the UK Veterans Commissioners, the Royal British Legion, and specific regimental associations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, how many of the five protections for veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will also apply to alleged paramilitaries.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. Some of these protections apply universally, including to all other former members of the security forces, recognising their service. The Government has been clear that no former Paramilitaries may be part of the Legacy Commission’s Victim and Survivor Advisory Group.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October to Question 82702, whether it remains the case that 9 inquests will be able to resume.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office has written to the families of 8 cases to inform them that those inquests will be able to resume under clause 84(3) of the Northern Ireland (Troubles) Bill. These cases are; Dillon, Duffy, McCord, Loughgall, Stalker-Sampson series, Moran, McDaid & Slane, and Patterson.

The inquest into the death of Mr Joseph Campbell is included in the ‘9 cases’ allowed to resume as it was part of the ‘Five Year Plan’ for Legacy Inquests, and had started before the Legacy Act came into force. The Government is aware that the coroner in this case has provisionally determined that it can continue as a ‘non Troubles-related’ inquest.

Found: 202532 National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contribution) Bill 2024–26 Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

We believe the Troubles Bill contains provisions which current and former service personnel will find insulting and should not be proceeded with.

Found: The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill should be withdrawn

Found: Joint Framework / Northern Ireland Troubles Bill To deliver the commitment to repeal and replace the

Found: Joint Framework / Northern Ireland Troubles Bill To deliver the commitment to repeal and replace the

Found: Bill 31/10/2025 Consent not recommended Sentencing Bill 26/11/2025 Consent recommended Northern Ireland Troubles Bill