Lord Hay of Ballyore

The UK Government works closely with Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) owners and operators through the Lead Government Department (LGD) model to build resilience against security threats.

Each LGD is responsible for routinely undertaking risk assessments for their sector, including assessing CNI risks within the internal, classified National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA). All NSRA risks are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform industry and government’s emergency preparedness and resilience activity, and reflect the evolving risk landscape. The external-facing National Risk Register, which mirrors the NSRA, was last updated in January 2025 and will be updated regularly to address changes to the risk landscape.

Alongside the LGD’s active engagement with industry, the National Technical Authorities (National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Authority) also provide advice on best practice for CNI security and resilience.

To ensure that we are indeed a United Kingdom, it is crucial to give greater importance to respect and collaboration, working in the service of people across the country. This is high on the list of this government’s priorities. The Prime Minister convened the first Council of the Nations and Regions earlier last month, delivering on a manifesto promise to rewire the way the UK Government operates.

Focussed on investment and growth, the Council saw First Ministers and Deputy First Minister from the Devolved Governments come together with regional mayors to collaborate and seize opportunities to secure long-term investment and boost growth. The agenda included discussion on how to boost growth and inward investment across the UK, including through an industrial strategy and the Investment Summit.

The Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings and a joint meeting with the Devolved Government First Ministers and Deputy First Minister focussed on supporting intergovernmental relations as we continue to reset our relationship and work together to deliver for people across the UK.

This Government was elected to deliver for people throughout the United Kingdom the public expect us to work together to deliver on their priorities.

The UK remains a highly attractive study destination for international students, with four universities in the top 10 and 15 universities in the top 100, alongside a wide array of high quality institutions which offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education made clear in her video message last year, this government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK.

The immigration white paper, published on 12 May, confirmed that we will retain the graduate visa, but reduce its duration from two years to 18 months. This will maintain our competitive post-study offer whilst ensuring individuals on this route obtain employment in graduate level roles and contribute to the country’s skills needs more quickly. The department will issue further details on implementation of the white paper measures in due course.

On 19 May 2025, we announced the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. This new fund will invest £360 million over the next 12 years in the fisheries and seafood sector, and coastal communities, to support the next generation of fishermen and our coastal communities.

We will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most. For example, considering investment in new technology and equipment to modernise our fishing fleet, delivering training and investing in skills to back the next generation of fishers, and promoting the seafood sector to export our high-quality produce across the world.

The Prime Minister welcomed President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen and President of the EU Council António Costa to London for a UK-EU Summit on 19 May.

At that Summit we have agreed the parameters for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement making agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

We will start talks straight away and want to remove barriers as soon as possible.

The government has confirmed the continuation of the Freeport and Investment Zones programmes across the UK, which will promote investment opportunities, create additional jobs, and drive economic growth. Given the alignment between Freeport and Investment Zone objectives, in Northern Ireland these programmes have been combined into the Enhanced Investment Zone. This will bring together the overall funding envelopes of both programmes in a bespoke offer for Northern Ireland, reflecting its unique economy, sectoral strengths and opportunities. Northern Ireland’s combined allocation could be open to flexible use between tax incentives and spend.

The government will work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive to co-develop proposals for the Enhanced Investment Zone.

The legal texts of the Windsor Framework are available online and set out the rules that are applicable. The Government submits Explanatory Memoranda to Parliament and the NI Assembly about proposed changes to those regulations to facilitate scrutiny, which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/explanatory-memoranda-on-eu-documents

The Government remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and protecting the UK internal market.