Lord Empey

In its manifesto, the Government set out its commitment to implementing the Windsor Framework and protecting the UK internal market – as well as improving the UK’s trade relationship with the EU. The Government will continue to have regular and constructive dialogue with the EU on a wide variety of matters, including the Windsor Framework.

This policy is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. We will publish an updated plan in due course, with full detail of policies and proposals to meet the UK’s emissions targets on a pathway to net zero. In developing this we will continue to consult and work closely with the devolved governments.

A commitment to produce a report on safeguarding veterinary medicines into NI was made by the Veterinary Medicines Working Group (VMWG) established under the previous government; the group was paused due to the election before the report could be published. The VMWG has since been reestablished to provide advice to the new UK Government on an ongoing basis but will no longer produce a final report. Maintaining availability of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland after the end of 2025 is a priority and this Government will progress work on this issue as quickly as possible.

No assessment has been made of the number of cyclists who cycle on roads in the dark without lights on their bicycles. Rule 60 of The Highway Code states that cycles must be fitted with a red rear reflector and have white front and red rear lights lit at night. Cycling without proper lights at night is an offence, and enforcement of this is entirely a matter for the police.

The National Health Service is a residency-based system, which means that people who do not live here on a lawful, settled basis must contribute to the cost of their care. However, some of the most vulnerable people arriving in the United Kingdom, including refugees and asylum seekers, do not pay for NHS treatment.

There are varying entitlements to secondary healthcare services across England and the devolved administrations. Specific examples can be found in the NHS entitlements: migrant health guide on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format. We do not hold information on the level of uptake of these services.

It is not appropriate for the Government to comment on unverified reports. The UK continues to work closely with our partners to identify opportunities to disrupt Hamas financial networks, including cutting off access to funding being used to carry out atrocities. Counter Terrorist Financing remains one of the UK's priorities under the National Security objectives set out in the UK's National Security Strategy. This work is ongoing alongside UK efforts to reach a long-term political solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.

The Government is not discussing amendments to the Refugee Convention with other countries.

The Government has already begun work to reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties, secure a broad-based security pact and tackle barriers to trade. We want to look forwards by improving our trade and investment relationship with the EU, while recognising there will be no return to the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement.

Recent data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) is subject to significant uncertainty. LFS response rates fell from 49.3% in Q3 2013 [1] to 12.7% in Q3 2023 [2], which have led to a number of concerns about the quality of data based on the LFS.

As set out in its November 2024 Labour Market Overview [3], despite coherence challenges between LFS estimates and other data sources, the LFS continues to be the sole source of data for unemployment, economic inactivity and the self-employed. There are also a range of breakdowns that are only possible from LFS data.

The ONS is undertaking work to address these quality issues through improvements to its data collection and methodology [4]. The ONS is also continuing to develop the Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) as the long-term solution for collecting labour market data [5].

While planned improvements are underway, LFS estimates remain volatile and will continue to be badged as ‘official statistics in development’ until further review. The ONS advise caution when interpreting changes in headline LFS rates and recommend using them as part of its suite of labour market indicators [6].

[1] Labour Force Survey performance and quality monitoring report: October to December 2023 - Office for National Statistics

[2] Labour Force Survey performance and quality monitoring report: July to September 2024 - Office for National Statistics

[3] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/november2024

[4] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/methodologies/labourforcesurveyplannedimprovementsanditsreintroduction

[5] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/labourmarkettransformationupdateonprogressandplans/july2024

[6] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/november2024

The rate of employer contributions paid to the main unfunded public service pension schemes is assessed as part of scheme valuations every four years. The most recent employer contribution rates were implemented in April 2024.

The Independent Public Service Pension Commission led by Lord Hutton recommended in March 2011 that projected public service pension benefit payments as a percentage of estimated future GDP is the most relevant measure of their future affordability. This is because most public service pensions are financed through taxation, which is closely related to GDP.

The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast in 2022 that spending on public service pensions will fall from 2 per cent of GDP at present to 1.7 per cent by 2071-72. An updated forecast is expected to be published in the near future.

Remuneration in the main public sector workforces tends to be weighted towards pension relative to pay compared to packages typically available in the private sector. The total remuneration package needs to be considered when making any comparisons. The recommendations by the independent Pay Review Bodies for the main public service workforces take account of the total reward for each workforce, including the relevant pension scheme.

While all asylum claims are routinely considered on their individual merits, it is standard procedure to deny protection to anyone who has committed crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, other serious crimes abroad or acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

The Home Office has a legal obligation to meet the essential living needs of destitute asylum seekers. Details of what is considered essential can be found in the annual asylum support rate review reports, published on gov.uk; www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers.

Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits.

Further information about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The Home Office has a legal obligation to meet the essential living needs of destitute asylum seekers. Details of what is considered essential can be found in the annual asylum support rate review reports, published on gov.uk; www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers.

Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits.

Further information about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

From January 2022 to 23 October 2024 Home Office Immigration Enforcement convicted 188 individuals identified as small boat pilots and four individuals for their involvement in an organised crime gangs linked to small boat criminality.

So far this year, the UK’s joint work with France has prevented over 20,000 of these dangerous and unnecessary crossing attempts of the Channel by migrants in small boats. The UK has been working with France over a number of years to stop these crossings, and we have provided funding to enable French Authorities to field more law enforcement officers than ever before against the criminal gangs who organise these crossings and who profit from the jeopardy into which they place others.

Around half of all crossing attempts are stopped, but we know that more is required. That is why we have set up the Border Security Command, to smash the gangs responsible for this trade. We have recently announced investment of up to £75 million into border security, which includes funding new technology to support specialist operations being run across Europe and beyond.

Spending 2.5% of GDP on defence balances the need to invest in defence capabilities to respond to growing threats and ensure the UK remains secure at home and strong abroad with the wider demands on Government spending. It also represents an ambitious increase on the NATO Defence Investment Pledge, and would be the highest level of Defence spending since 2010 (under the last Labour Government).

In the last five years the Ministry of Defence has paid £4,682,122 in compensation to relatives of individuals fatally shot by members of the British Army in Northern Ireland between 1969 to 2007.

Attendance at the council remains flexible to align with themes of discussion and so to ensure its East-West dimension is upheld. The following were invited to the inaugural meeting:

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & Minister for Intergovernmental Relations;

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland;

Minister of State for Northern Ireland;

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up;

First Minister of Northern Ireland;

deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland;

Minister for Communities, Northern Ireland; and

Minister for the Economy, Northern Ireland.

The inaugural meeting of the East-West Council took place in Dover House, London in March 2024 and was chaired by the then Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations.

It was attended by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Minister of State for Northern Ireland and the Cabinet Office, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up. It was also attended by the Northern Ireland First Minister, deputy First Minister, Minister for the Economy and Communities Minister. As with all intergovernmental bodies, the East-West Council will be resourced appropriately.

The Government is committed to make progress on the commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper. This includes taking steps to convene the second meeting of the East-West Council shortly, which had its inaugural meeting in March 2024.

The East-West Council will focus on trade promotion, connectivity, culture and skills, bringing together key representatives from government, business, education, trade, transport, and culture sectors - encouraging collaboration between ministers and industry experts - and membership will remain flexible.

Intertrade UK has not met as yet.

Following the appointment of Baroness Foster as the chair of Intertrade UK, the next steps will be to appoint the other members of the group and we will announce these appointments in due course.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland confirmed the appointment of Baroness Foster as the chair of Intertrade UK on 19 September.

The Government will be providing further details on how the work of the group will be taken forward in due course.