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Written Question
Navy: Strait of Hormuz
Friday 5th June 2026

Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defence and Cabinet colleagues on the potential role of the Royal Navy in ensuring the safe passage of British-registered vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I have regular meetings with Cabinet colleagues on the conflict in Iran, and its impact..

The Government is committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict and ensuring the safety of British vessels, and the UK is playing a leading role jointly with France to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz through a multinational military mission. Further planning for the UK’s contribution to the multinational mission is ongoing in coordination with international partners.

Written Question
Connect Fund: Applications
Thursday 4th June 2026

Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Connect Fund on assessing the (a) application and (b) success rates for those applying to that fund from beyond the Greater Belfast area.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office Connect Fund welcomes applications from the voluntary and community sector, civic society and national representative bodies across Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Geographical application and success rates are reviewed as part of the ongoing monitoring process, and awareness of the Fund has been promoted via seven informational Roadshow Events; five events have been delivered in-person, outside of the Greater Belfast area.

Of the 127 unique applicants to the Connect Fund, 41 represent Northern-Ireland based organisations located outside the Greater Belfast area (32%). A further 33 represent GB-based organisations (26%). Of the 40 unique organisations which have been successful in securing funding, 14 represent Northern Ireland based organisations located outside of the Greater Belfast area (35%). A further 5 represent GB-based organisations (13%). The Connect Fund has been confirmed for two further rounds; Round 3 will open for applications ahead of the 27/28 Financial Year, and Round 4 will open ahead of the 28/29 Financial Year. All eligible organisations seeking to deliver programming to strengthen East-West civic relationships are welcomed and encouraged to apply.

Select Committee
Correspondence with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury relating to support for energy bills in Northern Ireland, dated 24 April and 27 March 2026.

Correspondence Jun. 03 2026

Committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (Department: Northern Ireland Office)
Select Committee
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the Northern Ireland Executive budget and the Public Sector Transformation Fund, dated 22 May and 01 June 2026.

Correspondence Jun. 03 2026

Committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (Department: Northern Ireland Office)
Select Committee
Correspondence with the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls relating to questions following the public evidence session with the former Minister on 18 March, dated 22 May and 27 March.

Correspondence Jun. 03 2026

Committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (Department: Northern Ireland Office)
Select Committee
Correspondence from the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls relating to a correction to the record on feminicide rates in Northern Ireland, dated 2 June 2026.

Correspondence Jun. 03 2026

Committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (Department: Northern Ireland Office)
Select Committee
RenewableNI, Northern Ireland Screen, and NI Cyber

Oral Evidence Jun. 03 2026

Inquiry: Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (Department: Northern Ireland Office)
Select Committee
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Queen's University Belfast, and Agrifood and Bioscience Institute

Oral Evidence Jun. 03 2026

Inquiry: Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (Department: Northern Ireland Office)
Scheduled Event - 3 Jun 2026, 11:30 a.m. - Add to calendar
View Source
Commons - Oral questions - Main Chamber
Northern Ireland
Department: Northern Ireland Office
Scheduled Event - 3 Jun 2026, 9 a.m. - Add to calendar
View Source
Commons - Northern Ireland Affairs Committee - Oral evidence - Select & Joint Committees
Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors