Northern Ireland Office

The date for publication of the next quarterly transparency return is yet to be confirmed, but we expect this to be before the end of December.

This Government, and our Irish counterparts, remain committed to the Joint Framework.

Through the progression of the Troubles Bill, the UK Government continues to make progress on our pledges within the Joint Framework. The Bill has now started passage in the House of Lords.

On 9 June, the Irish Government published their General Scheme of the Legacy of the Troubles Bill 2026. This scheme sets out how the Irish Government will legislate to implement its commitments in the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles agreed with the UK Government last September. Alongside this, the new Legacy unit is now established within An Garda Síochána. This is an important step in obtaining answers for the many families who will benefit from this cross-border cooperation.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland did not quash the Parades Commission's determination. Under Section 9 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, the Secretary of State was required to carry out a review of the determination which he, and subsequently the Courts, upheld. The Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 clearly outlines the factors that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland must consider when exercising his powers under the Act, including consulting the Chief Constable and Parades Commission as part of his decision making. The Chief Constable outlined that facilitating the parade would carry an unacceptable risk of serious injury, disorder, and public safety threats. The Secretary of State considered the necessary factors under Section 11 and subsequently prohibited the procession.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland did not quash the Parades Commission's determination. Under Section 9 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, the Secretary of State was required to carry out a review of the determination which he, and subsequently the Courts, upheld. The Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 clearly outlines the factors that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland must consider when exercising his powers under the Act, including consulting the Chief Constable and Parades Commission as part of his decision making. The Chief Constable outlined that facilitating the parade would carry an unacceptable risk of serious injury, disorder, and public safety threats. The Secretary of State considered the necessary factors under Section 11 and subsequently prohibited the procession.

Since his appointment, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met with all the Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, including the Minister for Communities and the Minister for the Economy. Policies related to support for the brewing industry in Northern Ireland are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The brewing industry is a key sector in the UK economy, providing jobs and investment across the country, and the Prime Minister recently announced a 20 per cent discount to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England. Any associated Barnett consequentials for the NI Executive will be confirmed at the next fiscal event.

In the 2024-25 financial year, the Northern Ireland Office (including its Arm's Length Bodies and Inquiries) spent the following amounts on hotel accommodation:

*excludes our ALB: Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission figures

Recent events in Portadown have shown that despite the huge progress made in Northern Ireland over the last thirty years, deep trauma still exists and a number of contentious issues remain. The UK Government is investing more than £730 million into the PEACEPLUS programme to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and both I and my Ministerial colleagues meet regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive and the PSNI to discuss a range of issues in Northern Ireland, including community cohesion and reconciliation.

I know my Hon. Friend is also concerned about the issue of racism toward the Roma community, including those affected in his constituency.

I utterly condemn it. There is no place for racism of any kind in Northern Ireland, nor across the UK. Those who have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home and contribute to its social and economic development should never have to face any form of disgraceful racist abuse or prejudice.

The UK Government is supporting growth in Northern Ireland through targeted interventions, including the £617 million investment into the City and Growth Deals which are driving innovation capabilities, the £150 million Enhanced Investment Zone and continued funding for Intertrade UK.

While our immediate priority is helping the Executive agree a multi-year Budget, we will work in partnership with the NI Executive to encourage longer-term economic growth.

Climate change policy is devolved. However, Northern Ireland has the potential to be at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy industry. I recently visited CATAGEN, a company in Belfast developing cutting-edge Clean Aviation Fuel technology which they are selling to the global market, and I was deeply impressed with the level of innovation.

This innovation will drive sustainable economic growth in Northern Ireland and across our country, while tackling our climate change goals.

This amendment gives the Directors of Investigations the ability to formally seek assistance from a police force on specific investigative tasks - for example, where it lacks certain specialist, technical equipment or skills. It is important to note that overall responsibility and operational control over each criminal investigation will remain with that Director of Investigations.

It is therefore a matter for the relevant Director of Investigations to determine the suitability of a police force or of specific assistance on a case-by-case basis. That is why subsection 4 of the amendment requires the relevant Director to be satisfied that any assistance agreement ensures consistency with the Commission’s statutory principles including, ECHR compliance. Any assistance that is provided will be in accordance with the law governing criminal investigations, including the duty to act compatibly with any relevant ECHR rights.

The Government has engaged extensively with the veterans community, and in addition to the already significant protections included in the Troubles Bill, we have tabled a comprehensive package of amendments ahead of Committee Stage.

This includes putting clearly into law that there is no equivalence between the actions of soldiers and paramilitaries, creating a statutory requirement for the Commission and Coroners to consider operational context and including further protections to stop an individual veteran being contacted where state authorities can provide answers. Any veterans asked to participate in legacy processes will also have full access to the MoD’s legal and pastoral services.

We are also legislating for an independent review of the effectiveness of these measures, to ensure the provisions designed to help former service personnel deliver on our commitments.

The Government recognises the importance of connectivity between Northern Ireland and Ireland - particularly for the North West region - in supporting local trade, tourism, and cross-border community links.

We continue to work with regional partners to safeguard Northern Ireland’s transport resilience and ensure local airports remain viable drivers of regional growth.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland holds regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues, including what may be included on agendas of any bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, and will always ensure Northern Ireland's interests are represented in those discussions.

It is deeply distressing that grieving families are facing delays to postmortems. Post mortems in Northern Ireland are a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, and I encourage the Honourable Member to raise his question with the Minister for Health in the Northern Ireland Executive.

In 2025, the Northern Ireland Office (including its Arm's Length Bodies and Inquiries) spent £39,551.37 on interpreters and related translation services.

The Government supports the work of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel into the workings of Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland. I was pleased to see that the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill secured Royal Assent earlier this month. Victims and survivors have waited too long for what is owed to them.

In response to a letter from a member of the International Commission on Missing Persons about supporting the work of the associated inquiry into the above issues, the Secretary of State confirmed that officials have passed this offer on to the Executive Office, as that office is responsible for the inquiry and associated redress scheme.

Whilst public services are a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government has provided a record financial settlement, in addition to significant funding for public services through the £235m Transformation fund.

As part of the Transformation funding, £15m has been invested in the Department of Infrastructure’s Urban Drainage project which is testing sustainable drainage systems to mitigate flood risk and alleviate pressure on wastewater capacity in Northern Ireland. This project is currently on track to deliver its intended milestones and I look forward to meeting with the Infrastructure Minister to discuss its progress.

The Government will continue to work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure the sustainable delivery of public services in Northern Ireland.

Since being appointed, NIO Ministers, and officials, have undertaken a programme of engagement with various veterans organisations and representatives. This includes meetings alongside the Ministry of Defence with the three Veterans Commissioners, the Royal British Legion, the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, and various Forces associations and regiments. Full details of engagements will be published as part of the quarterly transparency return.

As a result of this engagement, the Government has tabled a significant package of amendments ahead of Committee Stage that will strengthen the already considerable package of protections for veterans included in the Troubles Bill.

The Government will continue to engage closely with all stakeholders as we make progress on the Troubles Bill to ensure that it delivers effective legacy mechanisms that everybody can have confidence in.

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme is administered by the Victims’ Payments Board, with oversight by The Executive Office. As such, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold this information. I would encourage the Honourable Gentleman to direct his questions to the Victims’ Payments Board directly.

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme is administered by the Victims’ Payments Board, with oversight by The Executive Office. As such, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold this information. I would encourage the Honourable Gentleman to direct his questions to the Victims’ Payments Board directly.

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme is administered by the Victims’ Payments Board, with oversight by The Executive Office. As such, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold this information. I would encourage the Honourable Gentleman to direct his questions to the Victims’ Payments Board directly.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was formally established in December 2023. The outturn expenditure for the Commission in each financial year to date, including initial setup costs, is provided in the following table, broken down by Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME).

*The full year Figures for 2025-26 remain provisional pending final audit and publication of the Annual Report and Accounts. Finalised, audited expenditure for completed financial years is also published within the ICRIR's and the Northern Ireland Office’s Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available on GOV.UK.

**Figures for 2026-27 represent actual year-to-date expenditure up to August 2026.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) does not hold a central record of which employees are working under remote-working arrangements.

The NIO remains committed to flexible working and the business benefits it offers, including supporting the Civil Service priority of ensuring continued, effective, and productive delivery across the full range of our services.

We differentiate formal, contractual remote-working arrangements from hybrid/informal working from home, which is a non-contractual arrangement. The NIO operates a hybrid approach led by business needs, and as a result, many employees work both from home and in the workplace on an informal basis.

Staff are expected to attend the workplace for a minimum of 60% of their working hours over a rolling 4-week period, with the exception of those with formal contractual remote-working contracts or specific arrangements in place, such as workplace adjustments.

The NIO does not hold central data on employees undertaking informal hybrid working.

Following a request for support, the UK Government has made a significant funding offer which takes into account Northern Ireland’s unique needs in return for measures which will promote and facilitate long term financial sustainability.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to engage extensively with the Executive parties to encourage the setting of a sustainable budget which will support public services and deliver certainty for the people of Northern Ireland.

Discussions are ongoing and the Secretary of State will not be providing a running commentary on the detail of these discussions.

Incidences of hate crimes and sectarianism are deplorable and have no justification. Nearly thirty years on from the Good Friday Agreement, there is no place for this kind of intolerance in Northern Ireland.

Issues relating to justice, including sectarianism and hate crime legislation and policy, are devolved matters. The Northern Ireland Office is committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to building a safer society in which current and future generations feel secure, respected and more reconciled.

Energy policy is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. To support renewable energy policies, in December 2025 Great British Energy provided £1.66 million to the Northern Ireland Executive. This will support public sector renewable energy projects. For example, the Further Education sector will benefit from clean energy through installation of Solar PV and battery storage technology at four further education colleges including, South West College, South Eastern Regional College, Northern Regional College and Belfast Met College.

Northern Ireland has a rich and vibrant hospitality sector, with a wide range of pubs and brewing companies. Recent examples such as the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast have demonstrated the vital role this sector plays in the economy and life of Northern Ireland.

This Government has shown its commitment to supporting the brewing and pub sector with Pubs, clubs and live music venues receiving a 20% cut to their business rates bills. This is of course devolved to Northern Ireland, but the Government wants to work with the Executive to support our pubs and brewers amidst the rising cost of living.

The Northern Ireland Office currently allocates funding to support community initiatives through several grants. The Connect Fund supports organisations to strengthen civic East-West relations through a number of innovative projects and is ongoing with funding available on a yearly basis. NIO’s Engagement for Change Fund was recently awarded to the Women’s Resource and Development Agency for the ‘Grow, Lead, Change’ Project which will support community and voluntary sector organisations to more effectively champion their crucial work and the communities they serve. The forthcoming Community Partnership Fund will provide £1m across three years to established voluntary organisations to support grassroots community groups to develop ambitious ideas, build stronger networks and grow capability to access and deliver funding. The Grant Recipient will be announced later this year.

The Northern Ireland Office will continue to assess gaps in funding for local community initiatives, identifying opportunities for future provision.

The Government is continuing to implement the Safeguarding the Union command paper and to support Northern Ireland's place in the Union: this includes the East-West Council meeting again in January 2026; the allocation of £2.25 million for Intertrade UK over the next three years; the announcement of a pilot twinning programme between schools in England and Northern Ireland; and the launch of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal in April 2026, which includes a £50 million investment to support well-paid and highly-skilled jobs.

I would also refer the Honourable Member to the answer provided by my Noble Friend Baroness Anderson to HL2297 on 28 July, which further outlined how Safeguarding the Union commitments are embedded throughout the work of the Government.

Since 2024, there has been no correspondence between Flint Global and Ministers or the Permanent Secretary.

The Legal Services Agency, an executive agency sponsored by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice, administers the provision of legal aid in Northern Ireland.

Questions on the adequacy of access to legal aid should be directed to the Department of Justice who conducted a fundamental review of legal aid in January this year.

There is regular engagement with the Northern Ireland Department of Justice to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern.

However, as a result of the devolution of policing and justice in 2010, the Department of Justice (DoJ) is primarily responsible for the operation of the prison estate in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Office does not operate any catering outlets or cafeterias within its office estate. Consequently, the Department does not generate food waste and does not monitor food waste levels.

During the calendar year 2026 to date, one Senior Civil Servant away day has taken place at Hillsborough Castle. No associated social or team-building activity was incurred at public expense. The total cost of the event was £3,898.

It is not possible to provide an estimate for hours spent preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies.

A list of special advisers by department is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers which is laid in parliament. In respect of part (b) to (d), to date, no delivery advisers have been appointed within the Northern Ireland Office via Direct Ministerial Appointments, as civil servants appointed by exception or as permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

The UK Government is acutely aware of the importance of the UK-Ireland relationship. Since taking office, the Secretary of State has continued to build on the reset in relations. In August, he travelled to Dublin to meet with Irish Government counterparts, and held bilateral discussions with Minister McEntee at the recent British Irish Association conference in Oxford.

NIO Ministers engage regularly with Cabinet colleagues on a variety of issues including European Union Regulations applying in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, such as the European Union food supplement regulations..

The UK Government is negotiating a new strategic partnership with the EU called a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. It is the Government’s intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. Legislation relating to food supplements and the addition of vitamins and minerals to foods is within scope of the SPS agreement.

An SPS agreement would mean that legislation in-scope of the agreement in Great Britain, would dynamically align with equivalent legislation in the EU. This also means that regulations for businesses in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be aligned.

Therefore, if EU Food Supplements Regulations are updated in the future to include maximum levels of vitamins and minerals, these regulations in Great Britain will be updated, too.

NIO officials maintain regular contact with the Parades Commission Secretariat as part of sponsorship arrangements, and regularly receives information from the Commission regarding corporate matters, such as budgeting and corporate risks. Corporate matters are discussed regularly with the Secretariat.

The Commission’s decision-making regarding parade notifications is independent. In response to recent judicial review proceedings, the Secretary of State commissioned a judge-led review. The review will examine the Commission's decision-making procedures to ensure decisions are evidence-based, transparent, robust and fair, and that procedural defects identified are addressed.

The Northern Ireland Office does not use branded promotional merchandise with no expenditure recorded since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent. Information on branded goods and merchandise spent by its arm’s length bodies is not collated or held centrally.

As the Secretary of State set out in his Written Ministerial Statement of 2 September, although the terms of reference are still being finalised, the Judge-Led review will concentrate on the Commission's decision-making procedures - placing particular emphasis on ensuring that decisions are evidence-based, transparent, robust and fair in order to eradicate the procedural defects that were identified.

The legal framework of the parading sector, as set out in the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, remains outside the scope of this review.

Further information on the Judge-Led review will be published in due course.

The Parades Commission performs a vital and complex quasi-judicial role in what can often be sensitive and difficult circumstances. Over the past three decades, Northern Ireland has made significant progress in easing tensions surrounding parades.

However, the recent High Court ruling has highlighted clear procedural defects. The Secretary of State met with the Commissioners on 1 September to discuss their response. Having considered it, he is satisfied that the issues raised are being taken seriously and that progress is being made.

To provide public assurance, support the Commission and ensure its operational framework is legally sound and procedurally fair, the Secretary of State has ordered an independent judge-led review into the Commission’s decision-making procedures and organisational governance.

This will strengthen the Commission’s immediate and future work. In the meantime, the current commissioners have the full backing of the Secretary of States. It is in the public interest that they continue their critical functions as we work together to restore public trust in this vital institution.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) complies with all efficiency reporting requirements set out by HM Treasury. The NIO is not required to publish quarterly efficiency reporting.

There are currently no live industrial disputes within the Northern Ireland Office.

The Northern Ireland Office publishes details of departmental spending over £25,000 on GOV.UK as part of its routine transparency data. A specific spend category for ‘Advertising, Marketing and Communications’ is available in these reports. This information can be accessed at the following link, which separates the data by month and year: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nio-spending-over-25000-data-collection

Without targeted campaigns, millions of citizens would miss out on services, rights, and support to which they are entitled.

Campaigns across government have included the NHS Fit for the Future campaign which directly benefits patients by informing them how, where, and when to access transformed health services. The Defence investment campaign also generates thousands of skilled jobs and millions in regional economic growth through awareness.