Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what consideration he has given to ring-fencing any element of the Local Growth Fund allocation for Northern Ireland for community and voluntary sector services.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive have worked to provide community and voluntary sector organisations with the certainty they need to plan for this year.

The RDEL element of the Local Growth Fund in 2026/27 will be split between economic inactivity provision delivery partners and Go Succeed, in the same proportion to funding received in 2025/26 under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This was agreed between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The record £19.3bn settlement for the Spending Review period - as well as the £370m announced at the Budget - provides the Northern Ireland Executive with the means to provide additional funding to support the voluntary and community sector, should they wish to do so.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what engagement his Department has had with business organisations in Northern Ireland on the practical challenges of complying with dual market access requirements, and what issues have been raised.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Dual market access is a unique trading advantage that can attract further investment in Northern Ireland.

I meet a wide range of businesses in Northern Ireland - and recently visited the Camlin Group, Leckey and the Exact Group who all highlight dual market access as a source of competitive advantage for them.

As set out in the Government’s response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, we are committed to ensuring that businesses can realise these benefits and are taking forward an enhanced ‘one stop shop’ business support service that will support Northern Ireland’s trade within the UK and with the EU markets.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what support his Department is providing to help firms in Northern Ireland maximise the potential benefits of dual market access while managing regulatory and administrative burdens.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Dual market access is a unique trading advantage that can attract further investment in Northern Ireland.

I meet a wide range of businesses in Northern Ireland - and recently visited the Camlin Group, Leckey and the Exact Group who all highlight dual market access as a source of competitive advantage for them.

As set out in the Government’s response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, we are committed to ensuring that businesses can realise these benefits and are taking forward an enhanced ‘one stop shop’ business support service that will support Northern Ireland’s trade within the UK and with the EU markets.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on re-profiling the Local Growth Fund allocation for Northern Ireland to increase the resource element.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Following the announcement of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland at the Spending Review in June 2025, I have had regular engagement with the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, as well as Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, as we continue to work in partnership on the design and delivery of the Fund.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their current assessment of whether the (1) Provisional Irish Republican Army, (2) Ulster Defence Association, or (3) Ulster Volunteer Force are active.

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

The PSNI and UK security agencies continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response.

Rightly, any criminality or threats – by individuals or groups, loyalist or republican - will be investigated by the PSNI and those responsible will be brought before the courts.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they have provided for food banks in Northern Ireland.

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

Food banks are operated by independent charitable and community organisations. Social security, including welfare support, is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government's Child Poverty Strategy includes measures such as lifting the two-child benefit cap, the Universal Credit deduction reforms and increasing the National Living Wage that will apply in Northern Ireland, so providing better support for low-income families.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether food banks are a devolved matter to Northern Ireland.

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

Food banks are operated by independent charitable and community organisations. Social security, including welfare support, is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government's Child Poverty Strategy includes measures such as lifting the two-child benefit cap, the Universal Credit deduction reforms and increasing the National Living Wage that will apply in Northern Ireland, so providing better support for low-income families.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet frequently with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers on a range of issues. Most recently, my officials and I have been working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive to design and deliver the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland. Additionally, at the East-West Council in Belfast earlier this month, we discussed how the Connect Fund is supporting the work of voluntary organisations in sectors directly affecting Northern Ireland communities and encouraging civic East-West collaboration across the UK. I acknowledge the excellent work of voluntary organisations and the important services that they provide for communities in Northern Ireland. I am committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to support the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland now and in the future.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including matters relating to the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland. Most recently, my officials have been working in partnership with the Grants Management Function of Cabinet Office for the delivery of the Northern Ireland Office Connect Fund, supporting the work of voluntary organisations in sectors directly affecting Northern Ireland communities and encouraging civic East-West collaboration across the UK.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of UK Government funding allocated to the PSNI as Additional Security Funding in each financial year since 2011.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Recognising the unique security situation in Northern Ireland, the UK Government makes contributions to the PSNI through Additional Security Funding. The aim of the funding is to enable the PSNI to tackle terrorist threats while ensuring day-to-day policing is not compromised, allowing them to continue keeping people safe.

This Government is providing the PSNI with £37.8 million in Additional Security Funding in the 2025/26 financial year, an increase from c£32m. The 2025 Spending Review confirmed the PSNI will be provided with £37.8 million in Additional Security Funding for each of the next 3 financial years.

The amount provided to the PSNI in Additional Security funding in each full financial year since 2011 is shown below:

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

On 22 January, the House approved the Remedial Order which will remove the conditional immunity for terrorists which was provided in the previous Government’s Legacy Act.

The Troubles Bill will establish a reformed, human rights compliant and wholly independent Legacy Commission which will carry out investigations and provide family reports.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he last met with the Secretary of State for Defence.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Defence and other defence Ministers to discuss a range of issues, including how to ensure that our Operation Banner veterans are fairly treated through our new Legacy reforms.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent steps he has taken to help support (a) safeguarding reform in Northern Ireland and (b) cross‑border learning with safeguarding regulators in England, Scotland and Wales under the Four Nations Memorandum of Understanding.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Safeguarding is a devolved matter and the development of safeguarding policy and legislation is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.

This Government remains committed to working with partners across the UK to ensure the safety and protection of children and adults at risk. It is right that the four nations continue to collaborate to share best practices and maintain professional alignment across the United Kingdom.

Found: www.parliament.uk/lords Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office

Found: Erskine House 20-32 Chichester St Belfast BT1 4GF E: correspondence@nio.gov.uk www.gov.uk/nio

Found: www.parliament.uk/lords Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office

Found: Erskine House 20-32 Chichester St Belfast BT1 4GF E: correspondence@nio.gov.uk www.gov.uk/nio

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