Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to be a global leader in protecting freedom of religion or belief around the world.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding, including the FCDO John Bunyan Fund, a designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects. The appointment of David Smith MP as the Special Envoy for FoRB is a clear signal of the UK's ongoing commitment to these efforts.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL4030), what are the (1) names or (2) job titles of the members of the Veterinary Medicines Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The names and affiliations of members of the Veterinary Medicines Working Group are included in the Terms of Reference, which have been deposited in the House of Commons and House of Lords libraries.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL4028), what are the (1) names or (2) job titles of the members of the Horticulture Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Horticulture Working Group is co-chaired by senior officials from DEFRA and the Cabinet Office, drawing on support from other officials in those departments and across Government as the focus of the agenda requires. Members of the group from outside Government include representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, National Farmers’ Union, the Horticulture Trades Association and leaders of businesses which are members of this body, as well as a small number of other horticultural businesses.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the transport connections that link Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
As the author of the Union Connectivity Review, I am familiar with the issue raised. While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the Department for Transport is taking steps to improve links between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by funding Transport Scotland’s A75 feasibility study to explore options to bypass Springholm and Crocketford, supporting the Windsor Framework to streamline transport and customs processes, and through investment in green shipping corridors through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. The government is also subsidising flights between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport through a Public Service Obligation.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 January 2025 (HL3924), what stage has been reached in each of the active infringement proceedings against the UK; and on what date each was commenced
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The list of active infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom is set out below:
INFR(2020)2202 - Incorrect transposition of the Free Movement Directive by the United Kingdom commenced on 14/05/2020 and has been referred to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
INFR(2011)2054 - Comprehensive sickness insurance requirement and treatment of extended family members with prior residence in the UK commenced on 16/06/2011 and has been referred to the CJEU.
INFR(2016)2150 - Termination of the Intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties commenced on 14/05/2020 and has been referred to the CJEU.
INFR(2022)2059 - Non-provision by the United Kingdom of external trade statistics in respect of Northern Ireland, as required by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland commenced on 15/06/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
INFR(2021)2039 - Non-compliance with EU law requirements concerning the movement of agri-food, parcels and pet travel commenced on 15/03/2021 and remains at the reasoned opinion stage.
INFR(2022)2060 - Incorrect implementation by the UK of EU's sanitary and phytosanitary rules, as required by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to the Withdrawal Agreement commenced on 15/06/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
INFR(2022)2064 - Failure of the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland to implement the Import One Stop Shop for distance sales of imported goods commenced on 22/07/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
INFR(2022)2062 - Incorrect implementation of the EU customs legislation by the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland commenced on 22/07/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
Infractions 4-8 above relate to the Northern Ireland Protocol and were opened before the UK and EU subsequently agreed the Windsor Framework.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what allocations they have made to date from the £30 million set aside for Northern Ireland in round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Community Renewal Fund is now closed. Details of the 31 projects funded by the Community Renewal Fund in Northern Ireland are available at: UK Community Renewal Fund: successful and unsuccessful bids - GOV.UK. Please note Extern Works North West project withdrew and did not receive funding.
On 8 March 2024 the previous administration confirmed that the £30 million reserved for Northern Ireland as part of round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund formed part of the UK Government’s financial package for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, increasing the spending power available to the Executive and allowing it to invest against its own priorities.
The Department will continue to work closely with projects and places in Northern Ireland that were awarded a total of £120 million across the first two rounds of the fund.
My Department works collaboratively with strategic and delivery partners and Northern Ireland Executive departments to ensure that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme is investing in local needs and priorities. We have supported 43 impactful projects to date in Northern Ireland, kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity through a range of investments detailed at this link : UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Northern Ireland project information - GOV.UK.
Local council-led projects funded under the communities and place strand of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund are set out below:
Project Name | Project Lead |
The Kings Garden Project | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
De Wind Drive Playground | Ards and North Down |
Capital Play Development Programme | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Access to community gardens on the Upsurge demonstration site and Loughside Park Trim Trail | Belfast City |
Green Spaces Amenity Programme | Causeway Coast and Glens |
Strathfoyle Greenway | Derry City and Strabane |
Refurbishment at Killyfole Lough | Fermanagh and Omagh |
LCCC Green Space Development | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
Park Improvement Project | Mid and East Antrim |
Drumcairne and Derrynoyd Forest Development | Mid Ulster |
The Fallows Trial – Phase 2 | Newry, Mourne and Down |
Project Name | Project Lead |
Thrive Together: Communities & Place Programme | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
Creating positive outcomes for our communities and places | Ards and North Down |
Banbridge Public Realm | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Improvement & Development Programme | Belfast City |
Red Bay Pier project | Causeway Coast and Glens |
Stradhowen Greenway and Ballynagard Play and community allotments | Derry City and Strabane |
FODC Community Infrastructure programme | Fermanagh and Omagh |
Lisburn CC refurbishment & community development programme | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
Waveney Community Centre | Mid and East Antrim |
Building Civic Pride of Place in Mid Ulster | Mid Ulster |
Fostering Community Spirit, Enhancing Local Pride through Events and Open Space Revitalisation | Newry, Mourne and Down |
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government which projects in Northern Ireland have so far received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Community Renewal Fund is now closed. Details of the 31 projects funded by the Community Renewal Fund in Northern Ireland are available at: UK Community Renewal Fund: successful and unsuccessful bids - GOV.UK. Please note Extern Works North West project withdrew and did not receive funding.
On 8 March 2024 the previous administration confirmed that the £30 million reserved for Northern Ireland as part of round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund formed part of the UK Government’s financial package for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, increasing the spending power available to the Executive and allowing it to invest against its own priorities.
The Department will continue to work closely with projects and places in Northern Ireland that were awarded a total of £120 million across the first two rounds of the fund.
My Department works collaboratively with strategic and delivery partners and Northern Ireland Executive departments to ensure that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme is investing in local needs and priorities. We have supported 43 impactful projects to date in Northern Ireland, kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity through a range of investments detailed at this link : UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Northern Ireland project information - GOV.UK.
Local council-led projects funded under the communities and place strand of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund are set out below:
Project Name | Project Lead |
The Kings Garden Project | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
De Wind Drive Playground | Ards and North Down |
Capital Play Development Programme | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Access to community gardens on the Upsurge demonstration site and Loughside Park Trim Trail | Belfast City |
Green Spaces Amenity Programme | Causeway Coast and Glens |
Strathfoyle Greenway | Derry City and Strabane |
Refurbishment at Killyfole Lough | Fermanagh and Omagh |
LCCC Green Space Development | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
Park Improvement Project | Mid and East Antrim |
Drumcairne and Derrynoyd Forest Development | Mid Ulster |
The Fallows Trial – Phase 2 | Newry, Mourne and Down |
Project Name | Project Lead |
Thrive Together: Communities & Place Programme | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
Creating positive outcomes for our communities and places | Ards and North Down |
Banbridge Public Realm | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Improvement & Development Programme | Belfast City |
Red Bay Pier project | Causeway Coast and Glens |
Stradhowen Greenway and Ballynagard Play and community allotments | Derry City and Strabane |
FODC Community Infrastructure programme | Fermanagh and Omagh |
Lisburn CC refurbishment & community development programme | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
Waveney Community Centre | Mid and East Antrim |
Building Civic Pride of Place in Mid Ulster | Mid Ulster |
Fostering Community Spirit, Enhancing Local Pride through Events and Open Space Revitalisation | Newry, Mourne and Down |
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government which organisations in Northern Ireland have benefited from the £12 million of investment under the Community Renewal Fund.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Community Renewal Fund is now closed. Details of the 31 projects funded by the Community Renewal Fund in Northern Ireland are available at: UK Community Renewal Fund: successful and unsuccessful bids - GOV.UK. Please note Extern Works North West project withdrew and did not receive funding.
On 8 March 2024 the previous administration confirmed that the £30 million reserved for Northern Ireland as part of round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund formed part of the UK Government’s financial package for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, increasing the spending power available to the Executive and allowing it to invest against its own priorities.
The Department will continue to work closely with projects and places in Northern Ireland that were awarded a total of £120 million across the first two rounds of the fund.
My Department works collaboratively with strategic and delivery partners and Northern Ireland Executive departments to ensure that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme is investing in local needs and priorities. We have supported 43 impactful projects to date in Northern Ireland, kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity through a range of investments detailed at this link : UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Northern Ireland project information - GOV.UK.
Local council-led projects funded under the communities and place strand of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund are set out below:
Project Name | Project Lead |
The Kings Garden Project | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
De Wind Drive Playground | Ards and North Down |
Capital Play Development Programme | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Access to community gardens on the Upsurge demonstration site and Loughside Park Trim Trail | Belfast City |
Green Spaces Amenity Programme | Causeway Coast and Glens |
Strathfoyle Greenway | Derry City and Strabane |
Refurbishment at Killyfole Lough | Fermanagh and Omagh |
LCCC Green Space Development | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
Park Improvement Project | Mid and East Antrim |
Drumcairne and Derrynoyd Forest Development | Mid Ulster |
The Fallows Trial – Phase 2 | Newry, Mourne and Down |
Project Name | Project Lead |
Thrive Together: Communities & Place Programme | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
Creating positive outcomes for our communities and places | Ards and North Down |
Banbridge Public Realm | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Improvement & Development Programme | Belfast City |
Red Bay Pier project | Causeway Coast and Glens |
Stradhowen Greenway and Ballynagard Play and community allotments | Derry City and Strabane |
FODC Community Infrastructure programme | Fermanagh and Omagh |
Lisburn CC refurbishment & community development programme | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
Waveney Community Centre | Mid and East Antrim |
Building Civic Pride of Place in Mid Ulster | Mid Ulster |
Fostering Community Spirit, Enhancing Local Pride through Events and Open Space Revitalisation | Newry, Mourne and Down |
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have refreshed any training materials or programmes on the Belfast Agreement and successor agreements for the Home Civil Service and the Diplomatic Service to reflect (1) commitments made in Safeguarding the Union (CP 1021) and (2) the fact that Strand One of the Belfast Agreement relates to Northern Ireland-only institutions.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I can confirm that the Government has refreshed training programmes and materials for both the Home Civil Service and the Diplomatic Service on the Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements, as set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The new training materials are currently being rolled out across the UK Government.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the £10 million fund to boost investment in strategically important ports linking Northern Ireland and Great Britain has been allocated.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
On 31 January 2024, the previous government published a command paper on ‘safeguarding the union’. The Government is making progress on the commitments in taking forward the policies set out in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper.