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, what assessment she has made of her Department's ability to deliver an automatic release process for HMRC-allocated accounts for unclaimed monies from Child Trust funds.
Answered by Rachel Blake
The Government is aware of proposals for the automatic release of funds in unclaimed matured Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts, where the account was opened by HMRC. These savings belong to the account holders and are held by private sector providers. The Government does not have the authority to access or transfer these funds.
The Government is committed to reuniting young people with their CTFs. HMRC works with providers, industry representatives and others to raise awareness and help individuals trace their accounts, including through targeted communications and a free GOV.UK tracing service.
The Government has also established a dedicated Taskforce to address unclaimed matured CTF accounts and improve outcomes for account holders. This brings together Government and industry to strengthen tracing activity, increase engagement, and support access to funds.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, in relation to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, whether the estates of a deceased affected person who died prior to 21 May 2024 will be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds
No, estates of a deceased affected person who died prior to 21 May 2024 will not be eligible to make a claim on behalf of the estate. In its July 2025 Additional Report, the Inquiry recommended that the compensation scheme be amended so that the estate of a deceased affected person will be eligible to claim compensation where an affected person passed away between 21 May 2024 and 31 March 2029. This is to acknowledge that the passage of time in delivering payments to the affected community since the Compensation Scheme was announced has left some at a disadvantage.
Following the Inquiry’s recommendation, we have amended the scheme so that the estate of a deceased affected person is now eligible to claim compensation where an affected person passed away between 21 May 2024 and 31 March 2031. This date range is a further two years than the date range recommended by the Inquiry.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is facilitating United States aircraft at Belfast International Airport or Aldergrove Flying Station on missions supporting their military operations in Iran.
Answered by Al Carns
Aldergrove Flying Station (AFS) routinely supports Belfast International Airport by providing additional parking on its estate for visiting NATO aircraft to separate military from civilian aircraft. This is coordinated locally between AFS and Belfast International Airport staff. There is no direct relationship between AFS and visiting military forces.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which central funding pathways are available for places of worship in the devolved regions.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Heritage funding is devolved. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund is an England-only scheme starting in 2026/27 with a £23m annual budget. The Northern Irish Government received Barnett consequentials through the Spending Review.
We work with other funders to maximise UK-wide opportunities. Between 2024 and 2027, the National Lottery Heritage Fund expects to invest around £100m in places of worship, including £30m a year via their National Lottery Heritage Grants open programme.