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Written Question
VAT: Northern Ireland
Monday 24th November 2025

Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to to clause 32 in the Windsor Framework relating to VAT and excise, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing the VAT rate in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies consistently across the UK to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Division Vote (Commons)
20 Nov 2025 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 16
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Nov 2025 - Telecommunications - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 16
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Nov 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"Collaboration between groups across the Irish sea is very welcome. Those relationships will always be cherished. Unfortunately, Brexit really impacted the ability of those groups to serve and support people, and that was a consequence of the failure to plan for the constitutional change of Brexit. Regardless of the Minister’s …..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 Nov 2025
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

"The answer is 20...."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 Nov 2025
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

"Many in this House believe in the rule of law and in the equality of every person in front of the law. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people were properly convicted of paramilitary offences, and 300,000 soldiers served under Operation Banner. Can the shadow Secretary of State outline how many of …..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 Nov 2025
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

"Time is short, but I hope that we can consider why, as well as how, pain is to be addressed in Northern Ireland. The Social Democratic and Labour party approaches legacy from a basis that considers the rule of law, equality before the law, and the impact on reconciliation. We …..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Nov 2025 - Northern Ireland Troubles Bill - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 105
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Nov 2025 - Northern Ireland Troubles Bill - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 327
Written Question
Sudan: Arms Trade
Monday 17th November 2025

Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her polices of reports that UK weapons are being used in the Sudanese conflict.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on the Conflict in Sudan on 5 November 2025.