Northern Ireland Office

The provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill set out the criteria for the restoration of a select number of inquests based on their progress through the coronial system at 1 May 2024. These criteria are set out at Clause 84.

Trade policy is a reserved matter and the UK Government is responsible for negotiating international trade agreements on behalf of all the nations and regions in the UK.

This Government suspended trade negotiations with Israel on 20 May, owing to the actions of the Israeli Government in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill includes strong safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the concerns expressed during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. All of the measures 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 Commission’s duty to avoid duplication unless it is considered essential will apply to all of its investigations. This will ensure that the Commission’s investigations are effective, efficient, and focused on getting answers for families, whilst also protecting veterans from having to unnecessarily provide information previously covered.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill requires appointments to the Victims and Survivors Advisory Group to be made following consultation with relevant individuals, in order to inform the appointments process. I will publish details of who will be consulted. I have already committed to a publicly advertised application process for members of the Advisory Group.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill includes strong safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the concerns expressed during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. All of the measures 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.

Some measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the new safeguard that ensures veterans from giving unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.

Other measures, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill includes strong safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the concerns expressed during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. All of the measures 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.

Some measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the new safeguard that ensures veterans from giving unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.

Other measures, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

UK Government Ministers remain strongly committed to supporting the work of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and were keen to attend the Plenary session in Weybridge. Unfortunately, on this occasion urgent parliamentary business meant that a Minister was unable to attend. We look forward to future Plenaries and will aim to ensure that there is Ministerial representation from His Majesty’s Government.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill includes strong safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the concerns expressed during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. All of the measures 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.

Some measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the new safeguard that ensures veterans from giving unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.

Other measures, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

(a) As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024-2027, we are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future. Civil Service recruitment must follow the rules set out in legislation within the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaGA) 2010 which outlines the requirements to ensure that civil servants are recruited on merit, via fair and open competition. Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) accredits life chance recruitment pathways across government. GFiE pathways recruit people from a wide range of backgrounds into the Civil Service, including people from low socio- economic backgrounds, prison leavers, veterans, carers and care leavers. People recruited by GFiE develop skills, gain experience and build a career.

The Northern Ireland Office has not run a GFiE accredited scheme in the last year.

(b) The Northern Ireland Office has not recruited for any internship schemes in the last year.

Yes. The UK Government remains steadfastly committed to upholding the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. This includes the principle of consent and the need to exercise parity of esteem for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.

The Agreement is clear that any change to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland would require the consent of a majority of its people. There is no basis to suggest that a majority of people in Northern Ireland wish to separate from the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland will therefore remain part of the United Kingdom for as long as its people wish for it to be.

Under the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill those inquests that had started and were halted by the Legacy Act, of which there are 9, will be able to resume.

All other cases which were in the coronial system but had not commenced (24 in total) will be subject to a decision by the Solicitor General having regard to the statutory criteria as to whether they progress via the coronial system or within the Commission.

The 2023 Legacy Act did not prohibit Troubles-related civil cases from proceeding, meaning that over 700 cases remain in the judicial system. The Legacy Act’s retrospective bar on new civil cases was found to be incompatible with our human rights obligations, and is being removed via a Remedial Order under the Human Rights Act. It is impossible to predict future proceedings.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill includes new protections and safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the views expressed by veterans during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. 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.

Some measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the new safeguard that ensures veterans do not have to give unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.

Other measures, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

The Commission will be under a duty to avoid duplication unless it is considered essential which will apply to all of its investigations. This will ensure that the Commission’s investigations are effective, efficient, and focused on getting answers for families, whilst also protecting veterans from needlessly having to provide information previously covered.

The Cabinet Office’s Guide to Making Legislation makes clear that “Impact Assessments are generally required for all UK government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector and/or civil society organisation or public services”.

As the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial Order) 2025 does not regulate the private sector, civil society organisations or public services, no Impact Assessment has been produced. Parliament will have the ability to debate the impact of the Remedial Order in the usual way.

Existing civil cases were not barred from proceeding by the Legacy Act. The Government is, by way of a Remedial Order, repealing the retrospective bar on new civil cases and the bar on future civil cases, which has been found to be incompatible with our legal obligations. It is not possible to predict potential future proceedings.

As is currently the case with the ICRIR, the Legacy Commission will be able to investigate, on request, Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries that occurred between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998. While it is not possible to predict its future caseload, the vast majority of the Troubles-related deaths, some 90%, were at the hands of paramilitaries.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK Government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across Northern Ireland, once the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends in March 2026.

The Northern Ireland Office is working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to implement and develop the new Local Growth Fund. The Government is committed to engagement with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help implement a package of funding that meets local needs and delivers impact. More information on the development of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and engagement plans will be set out soon.

The Connect Fund has received a very positive reaction from the civic and voluntary sector and in its inaugural month received a total of 24 applications.

On 14 October, the Government introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill as part of our commitment to repeal and replace the previous government’s Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act 2023.

The legislation includes strong safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the concerns expressed during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. All of the measures 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.

Some measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the new safeguard that ensures veterans from giving unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.

Other measures, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

The Commission’s duty to avoid duplication unless it is considered essential will apply to all of its investigations. This will ensure that the Commission’s investigations are effective, efficient, and focused on getting answers for families, whilst also protecting veterans from having to unnecessarily provide information previously covered.

As stated previously, the Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.

It is our collective shame that Northern Ireland has the highest rate of violence against women and girls in the UK.

This Government is committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade, a commitment I feel very strongly about. I will work with the Executive and groups across Northern Ireland so that women, girls and children are safe.

With our record settlement for Northern Ireland, and work of the Executive, waiting lists are starting to come down.

Soon, I will meet with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to discuss long-term transformation.

With our record settlement for Northern Ireland, and work of the Executive, waiting lists are starting to come down.

Soon, I will meet with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to discuss long-term transformation.

On 1 May, the Government introduced important new arrangements for freight and parcel movements to ensure that goods can continue to move smoothly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The new arrangements ensure that parcels sent to or from consumers will not be subject to customs declarations or duty.

We have also introduced a range of schemes to support businesses by removing unnecessary checks and paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; over 15,000 businesses are already signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme.

As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK Government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across Northern Ireland, once the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends in March 2026.

My department is working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to implement and develop the new Local Growth Fund. The Government is committed to engagement with stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help implement a package of funding that meets local needs and delivers impact. More information on the development of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and engagement plans will be set out soon.

The Government established Intertrade UK in February 2025, with a clear purpose to provide advice on and promote trade and investment across the UK.

This is why Intertrade UK’s recently published Work Programme sets out how the body will advise on ways to support intra-UK trade by removing barriers to trade, promoting UK internal market opportunities, and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity. This includes, but will not be limited to, advice on ways to help consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland trade with businesses in Great Britain.

As I set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 19 September 2025, the UK and Irish governments have published a framework document outlining the main areas on which the two governments have reached agreement on Legacy. The Government will fulfil its commitment to restore those inquests that were halted by the Legacy Act. The remainder will be considered in a sifting process by the Solicitor General. Our approach reflects the importance of inquests to many families, but also the significant role that a fully reformed Commission with more powers will play in achieving outcomes for families, particularly in cases containing sensitive information.

Legacy Inquests are a matter of public record and are available on the Judiciary NI website.

The conduct of inquests in Northern Ireland is devolved and, as records of any pre-devolution inquests would have been transferred to the Northern Ireland Department of Justice (DOJ), requests for information on these matters should be directed to the DOJ.

The Government considers the Irish Government to be an essential partner in addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. On Friday 19 September 2025, the two governments published a high-level framework document outlining all key areas on which they have reached agreement, which includes meaningful and tangible commitments by the Irish Government and UK Government respectively.

The Framework is enclosed.

The main issue here is the application of the Carltona principle in the context of Interim Custody Orders. The previous Government’s attempt to address this following the 2020 Supreme Court judgment in Adams has been found by the Northern Ireland courts to be incompatible with our international obligations and we need to find a better way of reaffirming this principle.

The Government is carefully exploring how to address this complex issue alongside our clear commitment to implement legacy mechanisms that are fully compliant with human rights, and will do so in upcoming Primary Legislation.

I refer the Noble Lord to the response given on 12 September 2025 to UIN HL10086.

The sole purpose of the Electoral Identity Card is for voting at a polling station. If an individual holds another accepted form of photographic voter identification, they may use it to vote and there is no need to apply for an Electoral Identity Card.

The Northern Ireland Office is a tenant within two UK Government Hubs, one is located at Erskine House in Belfast, and the other at 1 Horse Guards Road London. Our Belfast office is managed by HM Revenue & Customs and our London office is managed by the Government Property Agency. As a tenant, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold information regarding flag flying in respect of these offices.

The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland is responsible for the supply of electoral identity cards in Northern Ireland.

There has been a requirement to show photographic voter ID in Northern Ireland since 2003 and there is a comprehensive list of accepted documents to bring to the polling station. If an individual does not have any of these forms of photographic ID, they may apply for an electoral identity card.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland expects to be in a position to make an announcement on this appointment in the near future.

All Joint Committee meetings are conducted in line with the rules of procedure set out in Annex VIII of the Withdrawal Agreement, and are therefore confidential unless otherwise decided by the co-chairs (Rule 10).

A full depository of Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee announcements and activity can be found at gov.uk.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland laid a copy of the report in Parliament and transmitted a copy to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 4 September 2025, which was confirmed to this House on the same day in Written Ministerial Statement HLWS907. The report has also been made available online.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is operationally independent from Government. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the Chief Commissioner to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s approach to legacy reform.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is independent of Government and has a statutory duty to ensure government and other public bodies protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the Chief Commissioner to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s approach to legacy reform.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is operationally independent from Government, and its recruitment processes are a matter for it to determine within the statutory framework.

The Northern Ireland Office has not spent money on social media influencers since July 2024.

The Rt Hon Lord Murphy engaged widely across the political spectrum during the Independent Review.

The Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.

In reference to my previous Written Answer, the Northern Ireland Office is aware of at least one individual who has received a so-called 'on-the-run letter’ and is currently awaiting trial in Northern Ireland.

We are also aware, through publicly available information, of another individual in receipt of a letter, whose legal proceedings in Northern Ireland were discontinued upon that individual’s death.

The Government is committed to introducing primary legislation when parliamentary time allows, including to reform and strengthen the independent Commission to ensure it is fully human rights compliant. As I stated at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 3rd September, I intend to lay the draft Remedial Order and the Government’s response to the JCHR at the same time as introducing primary legislation.

I speak regularly with people across Northern Ireland and am encouraged by the work of grassroots communities to support a safer, more cohesive and reconciled future for all. I have carried out over 100 visits to 16 constituencies across Northern Ireland since my appointment, including to South Down. I would welcome suggestions for future visits from Parliamentary colleagues.

I continue to take every opportunity to promote investment into Northern Ireland, following the success of the golf Open Championship, and regularly engage with the Northern Ireland Executive and its relevant bodies to support a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment and job creation to boost living standards.

The UK Government is keen to collaborate and provide support for work to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US Independence.