Northern Ireland Office

The Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 set out a commitment by the UK Government to release up to £500m over ten years of new capital funding to support shared and integrated education and housing. This funding is subject to individual projects, including Strule, being agreed between the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government.

The Government continues to work with Northern Ireland Departments on funding arrangements and projects under the Agreement and funding allocations continue to be subject to HM Treasury approval.

As the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on the Northern Ireland Budget 2023-24 in April, the acute state of Northern Ireland’s public finances means that it may be necessary to reallocate funding from previously announced funding packages. This process is ongoing.

£250 million has been allocated to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act and the non-legislative memorialisation measures announced alongside it. This includes costs for the establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, and for the Commission’s work. These funds were set aside for legacy mechanisms under the Stormont House Agreement and the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

The Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 set out a commitment by the UK Government to release up to £500m over ten years of new capital funding to support shared and integrated education and housing. This funding is subject to individual projects being agreed between the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government.

HM Treasury’s Block Grant Transparency confirms that over £196 million in Fresh Start Agreement (shared education and housing) funding has been transferred to the Northern Ireland Executive up to Mains 2023-24, with around £304 million remaining. The Block Grant Transparency is published online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/block-grant-transparency-july-2023.

Whilst this is a devolved matter, the UK Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to make up to £15 million of existing funding available to support with clean-up costs, and other support to help businesses get back to trading.

We will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Civil Service and local councils to get support to those who need it as quickly as possible. However, the best way to ensure that affected areas are prepared for the future is a matter for a restored Executive.

We are aware of recent media coverage of this issue. Monitoring of the continuing threat posed by proscribed organisations in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and security partners who continue to work to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe. The UK Government remains committed to the Fresh Start Agreement goal of a society free of paramilitarism, including through the disbandment of all paramilitary organisations and their structures. Paramilitarism was never justified in the past and it isn’t justified today.

Paramilitary groups and the individuals involved in them cause harm to their communities in ways that are obvious - such as violent attacks - and in ways that are less obvious - using intimidation and fear to exert influence and control. They hold their own communities back, deter investment and jobs and prevent people from moving forward with their lives.

The UK Government supports the NI Executive’s Tackling Paramilitarism Programme, which is working to tackle the presence of paramilitaries through evidence-based early interventions, targeted law enforcement measures and initiatives that provide direct support to help build safer communities resilient to paramilitarism. The UK Government has committed to provide 50% of the funding for the Programme - approximately £8m per year - through to March 2025.

The Secretary of State has been corresponding with the BMA and understands their frustration over a pay award for healthcare professionals. The UK Government has no authority to negotiate pay in Northern Ireland. This is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Department of Health.

It remains the Government’s top priority to see the Executive restored with the support of all parties and for locally accountable political leaders to take fundamental decisions on public services and deliver better outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.

The Government engages regularly with the Irish Government on a range of matters that benefit from partnership between our two countries.

Most recently, I met with the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, on 12 October. A range of issues were discussed, including the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act. I encouraged the Irish Government to engage with the ICRIR in the coming months to understand its plans for implementation of the Act.

The UK Government is not at present considering the restoration of The Order of St Patrick. As constituted, the order does not provide a suitable vehicle for recognition as the requisite statutes have not been updated since the nineteenth century. Nominations for existing honours are open to all citizens within the four nations of the United Kingdom.

The following table includes the number of lost or stolen devices in the Northern Ireland Office in the last year.

All departmental IT is fully security encrypted. The departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries. Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately and remotely locked.

There has been no data loss or compromises as a result of these losses.

The Government is firmly committed to upholding the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and to protecting and respecting human rights. We have a longstanding tradition of ensuring that rights and liberties are protected domestically and of fulfilling our international human rights obligations. We do not believe it is necessary to leave the ECHR in order to deliver on our major priorities. The Government remains committed to a human rights framework that is up to date, and works for all the people of the UK.

I and my Ministers meet regularly with the PSNI to discuss a range of issues, in recognition of the Government’s commitment to the safety and security of the people of Northern Ireland. I most recently met the Chief Constable on his second day in office to emphasise my support for the PSNI and my confidence in its new leadership.

Policing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and the PSNI’s main budget is allocated by the Department of Justice from the Northern Ireland block grant.

We also provide the PSNI with £32 million in additional security funding to address the SEVERE threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism. This ensures PSNI’s ability to tackle the terrorist threat while ensuring day-to-day policing is not compromised.

The Department does not hold this information.

Following the devolution of policing and justice in April 2010, the majority of statutory functions relating to justice matters were transferred to the Department of Justice.

Due to the current political situation in Northern Ireland, there is no Justice Minister currently in place. In the absence of a Minister, responsibility for Department of Justice matters sits with the Permanent Under Secretary of the Department of Justice to whom the Honourable Member may wish to write to on this matter.

The floods that occurred have been devastating for those that have suffered the destruction of their homes and businesses. Both Lord Caine and I have separately visited affected areas over the past few days.

In the absence of the Executive, which could have acted swiftly, the UK Government will make available up to £15m of support through the reallocation of existing Northern Ireland funding. This will help with clean-up costs and support businesses to resume trading.

We will continue to work closely with the NI Civil Service and local councils to ensure that support gets to those who need it as quickly as possible.

The floods that occurred have been devastating for those that have suffered the destruction of their homes and businesses. Both Lord Caine and I have separately visited affected areas over the past few days.

In the absence of the Executive, which could have acted swiftly, the UK Government will make available up to £15m of support through the reallocation of existing Northern Ireland funding. This will help with clean-up costs and support businesses to resume trading.

We will continue to work closely with the NI Civil Service and local councils to ensure that support gets to those who need it as quickly as possible.

The UK Government provided £3m of New Decade, New Approach funding to support the marking of the 2021 Centenary. This UK Government funding was used to successfully deliver a wide-ranging programme of events that reflected on Northern Ireland’s history, on the people, and showcased what makes Northern Ireland a great place to live.

The installation and funding of a Centenary Stone is a devolved matter and one which should be decided by a restored functioning Northern Ireland Executive.

EURO 2028 will highlight the enduring strength of the whole of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, through the unifying power of sport.

The UK Government is working closely with local partners in Northern Ireland on plans to deliver EURO 2028 events and to make sure EURO 2028 leaves a lasting legacy of football for all.

We will continue looking at those plans and business cases, to ensure we are making the best use of resources to support the success of EURO 2028. That is a process that will continue over this next period of preparations.

The UK Government is, of course, very conscious of delivering the best use of taxpayer funds, particularly at a time of budget challenges in Northern Ireland.

Governance for the development of Casement Park, including matters regarding due diligence and the appointment of contractors, rests with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the Regional Stadia Development Programme Board. My department has no role in the Regional Stadium Development Board.

Governance for the development of Casement Park, including matters regarding due diligence and the appointment of contractors, rests with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the Regional Stadia Development Programme Board. My department has no role in the Regional Stadium Development Board.

There are currently 66 (29.5%) members of the Northern Ireland Office who are on temporary contracts (fixed-term appointments, loans and secondments), of which 28 (12.5%) are female.

The allocation of funding from the UK-wide Apprenticeship Levy is the responsibility of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland. The restoration of an Executive, as well as a fully functioning Assembly, is a key priority of the UK Government.

(a) 1.8% of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) workforce are graded as Directors (senior civil servants at pay band 2).

(b) 52% of the NIO workforce are female and on full-time equivalent contracts.

The Government owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for their tireless work keeping the people of Northern Ireland safe, often in exceptionally challenging circumstances. We condemn any assault or act of violence committed against serving Police Officers.

Policing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. Policy and legislation relating to day-to-day policing in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Department of Justice.

In accordance with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent, the Government is clear that Northern Ireland will remain part of the UK for as long as its people wish for it to be.

The test for a referendum is set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the Northern Ireland Act.

On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service.

The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms part of our drive to improve productivity across the public sector by driving down waste and improving performance.

The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.

The Government is committed to preserving frictionless movement of people and goods between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which is a member of the EU.

Allowing duty-free shopping between the two would require introducing border controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland which risks undermining the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. It could also lead to significant revenue loss for both the UK and the EU.

Airports in Great Britain have extended duty-free shopping to EU destinations. However, to do so in Northern Ireland would allow goods such as alcohol and cigarettes to be bought duty-free in Northern Ireland and then sold in Ireland, or brought overland to Northern Ireland without paying duties.

Local councils in Northern Ireland have the discretion to name streets and provide street signage, including street names expressed in languages other than English. The Government works to ensure equality of opportunity and good relations are central to policy, local councils in Northern Ireland will decide their own methods of consultation within their communities.

The Government celebrates Northern Ireland’s rich tapestry of languages, identities and cultures, and believes that the United Kingdom’s strength lies in its diversity.

The UK Government has profound sympathy for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism and for all victims of The Troubles. Providing compensation specifically for the actions of the Qadhafi regime, separate from the support available to victims of the Troubles, is the responsibility of the Libyan State.

The Secretary of State and I engage regularly with the Northern Ireland parties on a large variety of issues and do not give a running commentary on these discussions.

This Government is willing to consider proposals that seek to address Northern Ireland’s overspend and place its finances on a sustainable footing. I have written to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and look forward to meeting to discuss their proposals further.

Nevertheless, this Government is clear that Northern Ireland’s finances are not sustainable and we need the Executive back in place so that they can run a balanced budget.

On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service.

The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms part of our drive to improve productivity across the public sector by driving down waste and improving performance.

The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.

On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service.

The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms part of our drive to improve productivity across the public sector by driving down waste and improving performance.

The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.

On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service.

The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms part of our drive to improve productivity across the public sector by driving down waste and improving performance.

The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.

Energy is a devolved matter. We are grateful to the civil servants who, in the absence of an Executive, are continuing to deliver public services. My officials, along with officials at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, are working closely with the Department for Economy on energy issues.

Housing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive reviews Local Housing Allowance rates and sets rent levels annually. Local Housing Allowance rates are based on rents and limited by legislation. It is for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to provide information regarding Local Housing Allowance rates.

The Union Flag is the only official flag of Northern Ireland. The regulatory framework for official flag flying in Northern Ireland is determined by the Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and The Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000. There are no current plans to further review or amend how this legislation operates in recognising specific flags in Northern Ireland.

Flag flying remains a sensitive and divisive issue for people in Northern Ireland. The UK Government respects the sensitivities and unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, and balances this with recognition of its integral place in our United Kingdom.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's priority is to see the return of locally elected, accountable and effective devolved institutions which is the best outcome for Northern Ireland. The Government is working tirelessly towards that objective.

The Secretary of State has taken the Identity and Language Act 2022 through Parliament. The Act provides for the creation of a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British Tradition, as agreed in the New Decade, New Approach deal.

A principal aim of this Commissioner will be to enhance and develop the associated language, arts and literature, recognising that Ulster Scots does not just encompass a language but a people with distinct cultural and artistic traditions. Specifically, the Act places a duty on the NI Department of Education to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system.

Biodiversity, conservation and protection is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to advise on this topic.

The UK Government discusses a range of issues, including the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act, with the Irish Government on a regular basis. Most recently, engagement took place during the British and Irish Conference (1-3 September) and the Northern Ireland Investment Summit (12-13 September).

The Legacy Act provides a framework to deliver effective legacy mechanisms for victims and survivors while complying with our international obligations. The UK Government will do all it can to support the ICRIR, consistent with its operational independence, as it establishes itself and seeks to deliver effectively for victims and survivors. We hope that others, including the Irish Government, will do the same.

Housing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Department for Communities to provide help and advice for private rented tenants in Northern Ireland.

Criminal prosecutions regarding alleged criminal conduct in Ireland during the Troubles is a matter for the Irish authorities.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) established by the UK Government’s Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act will conduct reviews into Troubles-related deaths and serious injury, with the primary objective of providing information to families, and victims and survivors.

The ICRIR will have all the necessary powers to conduct criminal investigations as part of any review, and will be able to refer cases relating to conduct which took place in the UK for prosecution in cases where conditional immunity from prosecution is not granted and sufficient evidence exists.

The legislation includes a requirement of full disclosure by UK bodies & agencies. Effective information recovery mechanisms for many families, however, will require the cooperation of both governments. The Government hopes, therefore, that the Irish Government will, in the absence of an alternative in place for dealing with Troubles-related incidents, support the work of the ICRIR in delivering better outcomes for victims and families across the UK and Ireland.

£250 million has been allocated to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill and the non-legislative memorialisation measures announced alongside it. This includes costs for the establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, and its work. These funds were set aside for legacy mechanisms under the Stormont House Agreement and the New Decade, New Approach agreement. Work to design and implement the body, including how funds will be deployed, continues.

Funding decisions concerning infrastructure in Northern Ireland are devolved. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure to decide on infrastructure spending decisions flowing from their 2023-24 budget allocation.

The UK Government and the Irish Government have a shared interest in ensuring excellent infrastructure is in place to support the growth of the Northern Ireland economy. As set out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, the UK Government committed to a £1 billion Barnett guarantee for capital infrastructure investment.

It is essential that the Executive forms so that ministers elected by the people of Northern Ireland can take decisions on infrastructure investment and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.

The Government has made no such assessment.

Higher Education policy in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter, under the responsibility of the Department for the Economy.

My officials worked closely with the Department of Business and Trade, the department leading on delivery of the event alongside Invest Northern Ireland. There was Ministerial direction and oversight throughout. A number of UK Government ministers from different departments played an active role in the Summit, which successfully showcased Northern Ireland’s innovation and technological strengths across its internationally renowned sectors to more than 100 global investors.