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.
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, whether VAT reimbursements are available under the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The new Places of Worship Renewal Fund is a capital grant scheme which will operate in England only as Heritage is a devolved matter. Where capital grants have been awarded, VAT on eligible works and costs will be rebated where it is not otherwise reclaimable.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered standardising chargers for defibrillators.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The Department has not made an assessment of standardising chargers for defibrillators. The Government’s position is that local communities are best placed to make decisions about procuring, locating, and maintaining automated external defibrillators.