Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if his Department will consider commissioning a report on the potential merits of dual market access for businesses in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

In the explanatory materials provided to Parliament ahead of the consent vote on the Windsor Framework last year, the Government set out its view that dual market access is important for economic life in Northern Ireland and that many aspects of economic activity rely on that access.

The Government has published a wide range of guidance and support for businesses and will continue to consider future opportunities to do so.

The Government will continue to communicate the unique advantages of dual market access that the Windsor Framework offers, alongside the beneficial outcomes of the UK/EU Summit, to businesses and traders in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 on Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Equal opportunities and anti-discrimination law remain devolved matters in Northern Ireland, and the Equality Act 2010 does not apply in Northern Ireland (save in some very limited areas).

We expect those affected by the Supreme Court judgment in the ‘For Women Scotland’ case to comply with this ruling, together with any other relevant legislation and guidance. As they always have, courts across the UK should continue to give full and proper regard to the jurisprudence from higher courts.

As equalities is transferred, whether the Executive chooses to implement policies or legislation to respond to the judgment remains a matter for the Executive.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he is taking steps to increase the number of apprenticeships within his Department.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office remains committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government’s commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.

As a department, the Northern Ireland Office annually recruits a Communication Apprentice through the Government Communications Service.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to resolve the dispute over the Drumcree parade, and whether they plan to permit the Orangemen to march through Garvaghy Road and other areas.

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

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recently met with officers from Portadown District LOL No.1 and appreciated the opportunity to hear their views on the annual Drumcree parade. The Parades Commission is the independent public body overseeing public processions in Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State encouraged the group to engage with the Commission.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will extend the closing date for applications to the Connect Fund beyond 10 August 2025.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Connect Fund will support communities in Northern Ireland, funding projects between £300 and £50,000 with a clear East-West lens that deliver on building connections, sharing information, and collaborative community work. Funding is available in two rounds, with the first round running from now until 30 April 2026, and the second round running from 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027. The Connect Fund is rolling and applications can therefore be submitted throughout these two periods, with the 10th of the month being the deadline for each month. If one were to miss the 10th of the month deadline, an application will be considered the following month.

Further information is available on the grant page at:

https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/connect-fund-1#objectives

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 64617 on the Independent Review on the Windsor Framework, whether he received the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework by 9 July 2025; and when he plans to publish it.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Lord Murphy provided the final report of the Independent Review to the Government on 9 July 2025. The Government will publish it in full accordance with its existing obligations to do so.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 64618 on UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland, whether he has received the first report of the Independent Monitoring Panel; and when he plans to publish it.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has not yet received the initial report of the Independent Monitoring Panel, whose first monitoring period ended on 30 June. We expect to receive the Panel’s report in due course and will publish it in accordance with the existing commitment to do so.

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