Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he will provide guidance to businesses who sell to consumers in (a) the EU and (b) Northern Ireland prior to the EU Product Directive 2024/2853 coming into effect.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
My Department is working with the Northern Ireland Government on the transposition of the new Product Liability Directive, which will include working with them to consider whether guidance may potentially be helpful to businesses in understanding the new product liability framework. However, it should be noted that the Directive does not impose any additional rules on businesses governing which products may be placed on the EU or Northern Ireland markets, or the safety requirements they must meet.
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 safeguard assessments have been put in place to prevent AI profiling of demographics while investigating fraud, as a result of the Quantexa deal.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
HMRC applies robust data protection, ethical, legal and security frameworks to any use of artificial intelligence across all its activities, including in areas such as fraud investigation and any technology it employs. These tools are used to support HMRC’s ability to understand and better serve customers effectively across tax and excise regimes, using the data it lawfully holds.
HMRC collects only the data necessary for the administration of the tax system and does not routinely collect demographic or protected characteristics data.
HMRC’s approach to assurance is ongoing rather than one-off. Our use of
Quantexa and any inbuilt AI is subject to close monitoring and evaluation throughout the lifecycle to ensure compliance with legal, data protection requirements and alignment with HMRC’s ethical standards and operational objectives.
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 using the Belfast International airport to support military operations targeting Iran.
Answered by Al Carns
Neither Belfast International Airport nor Aldergrove Flying Station, that shares runways with the airport, have been used by the British Military to support the UK's approach in relation to Iran, which is focused on de-escalation, regional stability, and the protection of UK personnel and regional allies.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what factors were considered by her Department when launching the Ukrainian Visa Schemes; and whether this Department has made a similar assessment for any other state specific visa scheme.
Answered by Mike Tapp
In response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the Government set up three generous Ukraine schemes at pace; the Ukraine Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme. The Government’s priority in setting up the schemes was to get Ukrainians to safety as quickly as possible.
The Ukraine Schemes were developed in close consultation with Ukrainian leaders and the diaspora community. We will continue to work closely together to ensure any changes are as accessible as possible for eligible Ukrainians and their families.
In any humanitarian situation, the UK must carefully consider its approach in response. Any decision to implement a bespoke visa scheme would need to consider a range of factors, including assessing the unique crisis and relevant impacts on security, compliance and returns.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including Palestinians within the Refugee Resettlement scheme.
Answered by Mike Tapp
In the Restoring Order and Control statement, published in November 2025, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme and capped routes for refugee and displaced students to come to the UK to study or for work.
Work is underway to deliver the new routes. Further details, including who will be eligible for the new routes, will be set out in due course.
The UK Resettlement Scheme is not currently taking new referrals. We are working through the role of the UKRS in the future landscape of safe and legal routes.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available to Northern Ireland through Great British Energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy (GBE) will operate in Northern Ireland (NI) as part of its commitment to deliver in all four nations of the UK. In line with its Strategic Plan, GBE will be taking forward the appropriate opportunities in Northern Ireland across all its activities. This includes onshore, offshore, local and supply chain.
GBE committed ÂŁ1.62 million for community and public sector renewable projects in Northern Ireland. On 10 December, we announced that this funding will help Further Education Colleges to benefit from clean energy, through installation of Solar PV at a number of sites.
GBE are continuing to work with partners in Northern Ireland to inform the development of products and services, with further details to be processed later in the year as part of their LPP product portfolio.
On 11 December, GBE launched a ÂŁ300m supply chain fund for offshore wind and networks. All areas of the UK will be eligible for funding, meaning projects may be located anywhere in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, subject to Windsor Framework considerations.