Colum Eastwood Portrait

Colum Eastwood

Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle

First elected: 12th December 2019


2 APPG memberships (as of 24 Jan 2024)
BBC, Cyber Security
3 Former APPG memberships
Celtic Nations, Foreign Affairs, Showing Racism the Red Card
Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill
28th Jun 2021 - 6th Jul 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Colum Eastwood has voted in 637 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Colum Eastwood Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Brandon Lewis (Conservative)
(37 debate interactions)
Chris Heaton-Harris (Conservative)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(32 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(23 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Northern Ireland Office
(129 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(56 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Colum Eastwood's debates

Foyle Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Colum Eastwood has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Colum Eastwood

26th March 2024
Colum Eastwood signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Tuesday 26th March 2024

Drumahoe Primary School, British School Trampoline Elite Champions 2024

Tabled by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
That this House congratulates Benjamin, Oliver and Thomas Briggs for their outstanding achievement in becoming 2024 British School Trampoline Elite Champions at the BSGA Trampoline Finals, held on March 16 in Telford; praises their dedication to the sport, their skill, and high-quality training; applauds their success that brought pride to …
1 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
19th March 2024
Colum Eastwood signed this EDM on Thursday 21st March 2024

Government legal advice on Israeli Government actions and international law

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
This House notes the remarks by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 19 March 2024 that the Israeli Government’s restrictions on humanitarian aid for Gaza may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war, which is a war crime; is alarmed at the mounting …
42 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 24
Scottish National Party: 8
Plaid Cymru: 3
Independent: 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Alliance: 1
Alba Party: 1
Workers Party of Britain: 1
View All Colum Eastwood's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Colum Eastwood, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Colum Eastwood has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Colum Eastwood has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Colum Eastwood


A Bill to place a duty on the Government to declare a climate emergency; to amend the Climate Change Act 2008 to bring forward the date by which the United Kingdom is required to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions; to place a duty on the Government to create and implement a strategy to achieve objectives related to climate change, including for the creation of environmentally-friendly jobs; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on proposals for increased taxation of large companies to generate revenue to be spent to further those objectives; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
7th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what effect the continuation of the imposition of the 25 per cent tariff on US imported whiskies has had on the Government's negotiating position on proposals by the EU to resolve issues in respect of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

We and the US have made clear the paramount need to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions. The UK has been consistently clear that significant changes are needed to the Protocol in order to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. The tariff on imported US whisky is a completely separate issue.

7th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on negotiations with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol; and what effect concerns raised by the US administration have on the Government's negotiating position with regards to the EU's proposals to reduce custom checks and supply chain issues in Northern Ireland.

Lord Frost last spoke to European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič on Friday 10 December. They covered the full range of outstanding issues and Lord Frost welcomed the Commission's professed readiness to make progress on them.

Nevertheless, whilst there has been some potential convergence on medicines, no agreement has been reached. The gap between our positions is still significant and progress on important issues remains limited.

We and the US have made clear the paramount need to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions. The UK has been consistently clear that significant changes are needed to the Protocol in order to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. Negotiations with the EU commission are focused solely on resolving these issues.

22nd Sep 2021
To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with President Biden on the Government’s proposed legacy plans for Northern Ireland; and what assessment he has made of the implications for any legislative proposals of the views of members of the US Congress on those plans.

President Biden and I speak regularly on a broad range of issues, including Northern Ireland which was raised in our last in-person meeting on 21 September. I reiterated the Government’s unshakable commitment to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and we agreed on the importance of protecting peace in Northern Ireland. Our Embassy in Washington regularly engages with the US Administration and Congress on Northern Ireland. The Government wants to work with all our partners in the United States, the European Union and Ireland to ensure that Northern Ireland can continue to prosper.

17th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the contaminated blood inquiry takes evidence at a session in Northern Ireland.

The Infected Blood Inquiry is a statutory inquiry, independent of Government, and the procedure and conduct of the Inquiry are a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
30th Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussion he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the rules on state aid that will apply to Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period in the event that the UK does not follow EU state aid rules.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish eligibility criteria for funding artists under the Music Export Growth Scheme; whether the political (a) beliefs and (b) activities of applicants are taken into consideration; and for what reason the band Kneecap has not been granted funding.

Applicants for the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) must confirm they meet the minimum criteria. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) acting as our delivery partner convenes an independent Selection Panel which then makes recommendations to the Department for Business and Trade on MEGS grant awards.

Subsequently, the BPI, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS), as MEGS co-funder, all carry out due diligence on recommended grant recipients. Following this, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade makes the final grant decisions, in consultation with DCMS. "Kneecap" did not pass the due diligence process. A Pre-Action Protocol letter has been received and no further comment will be made at this time.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department has taken to increase opportunities for economic growth in (a) Foyle constituency and (b) Northern Ireland in the last three years.

At Spending Review 2021, the government announced a £1.6 billion commitment to the nations and regions including £70m to provide a new Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, delivered by the British Business Bank. Other British Business Bank programmes are demand-led, without any geographical allocation.

Government supports early-stage entrepreneurs from all areas of the UK through the Start Up Loans Company. As of August 2023, 87 loans were issued to SMEs in Foyle, with a total value of £609,680.

Department for Business and Trade officials based in Northern Ireland also support local businesses to export and expand internationally.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason Northern Ireland is not covered on her Department's webpage under the stated responsibility to advise, support and promote British businesses to grow and export.

The Department for Business and Trade’s export support services are available free of charge to businesses across all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland. Full details about these services are available at www.great.gov.uk. My officials in the DBT Northern Ireland team are also working closely with businesses and stakeholders to promote these services across all parts of Northern Ireland.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with her Irish counterpart on promoting resilient supply chains across the island of Ireland.

Ministers and officials regularly engage with counterparts in Ireland to discuss a range of issues.

The Department for Business and Trade works to strengthen the long-term resilience of the UK’s international critical supply chains, including through international discussions to collaborate on economic resilience, bringing partners and allies together and share expertise.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department had discussions with industry stakeholders in Northern Ireland before announcing the British Industry Supercharger.

These measures relate to the GB electricity market. Northern Ireland is part of the separate, Single Irish Electricity Market and will therefore not benefit directly from this package. Officials continue to work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Press Release entitled Government action to supercharge competitiveness in key British industries and grow economy, published on 23 February 2023, whether she has made an assessment of the potential effect of those measures on the Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland.

These measures relate to the GB electricity market. Northern Ireland is part of the separate, Single Irish Electricity Market and will therefore not benefit directly from this package. Officials continue to work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Press Release entitled Government action to supercharge competitiveness in key British industries and grow economy, published on 23 February 2023, what steps she is taking to help ensure equal support for businesses in Northern Ireland in the context of that announcement.

These measures relate to the GB electricity market. Northern Ireland is part of the separate, Single Irish Electricity Market and will therefore not benefit directly from this package. Officials continue to work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason Northern Ireland is not included in the Green Deal loan scheme.

Energy policy in Northern Ireland is devolved so the decision on whether to operate a Green Deal scheme is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Northern Ireland.

Energy Efficiency of homes in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive Committee.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to increase the levels of private research and development investment in Northern Ireland.

We are committed to building on record public investment in research and development to increase private investment across the country, including in Northern Ireland. For example, since we published the Innovation Strategy, Innovate UK has introduced an online Innovation Hub and expanded its EDGE support scheme to help innovative businesses across the UK grow.

Northern Ireland received £47.5 million UKRI funding in 2020-21. We also support the Digital Catapult in Belfast to help innovative businesses grow, and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships funded by Innovate UK and Invest NI are helping local universities and businesses to upskill and enhance their investment potential.

12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to deploy funding for public research and development in Northern Ireland.

The Government is committed to working closely with the Devolved Administrations to realise the ambitions of the Science and Technology Framework and to ensure it works for the whole of the UK.

Businesses and universities across the UK are eligible to apply for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding. As of June 2023, over 190 UKRI funded projects with a combined value of over £143 million were led by award holders in Northern Ireland.

Additionally, core funding for university research, is a devolved matter and Northern Ireland universities receive core research funding from the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy.

12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to (a) identify and (b) promote investment opportunities in UK strategic priority areas for (i) research and (ii) development.

The Science and Technology Framework sets out a vision for our research and development (R&D) investment to match the scale of our ambition, and to catalyse the private sector to do the same.

We are working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to identify and promote UK innovation strengths and investment opportunities globally, including through the GREAT campaign. The interactive digital tool we will publish in the autumn, mapping the UK’s innovation clusters, will be a crucial next step in helping us showcase UK strengths to attract private investment.

20th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of price increases for home heating oil on consumers in Northern Ireland.

The matter is devolved to the administration in Northern Ireland.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department held discussions with representatives of the heating oil sector in Northern Ireland when devising energy bills schemes to help tackle the cost of living crisis.

The Government has engaged extensively with energy organisations and suppliers in the development of the energy bill support schemes for families and businesses. This has included engaging with representatives of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation and the Consumer Council.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
21st Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to launch a new round of applications to the Automotive Transformation Fund following the completion of the last round that closed on 24 November 2021.

The Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) supports late-stage R&D and capital investments across strategically important parts of the electric vehicle supply chain.

On 24 January, we opened Round 18 of the Expression of Interest competition to support capital investments (https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/1069/overview), along with Round 3 of the competition to support Feasibility Studies (https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/1094/overview).

Information about open funding competitions and further detail on scope and eligibility can be found on the IFS portal:

https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/search.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department's Biomass Supply Feedstock Innovation Programme applies to farmers and processors throughout the UK.

Our programme targets biomass feedstock innovations that will increase the production of sustainable domestic biomass. We will have £4 million of funding available for our feasibility stage and anticipate launching in March 2021. This will support suppliers from right across the UK, including Northern Ireland, to develop project proposals that will deliver innovations in biomass production.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the ability of businesses to make the first repayments of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme due in April 2021.

Many businesses have already begun paying off their Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) facility. While the Government covers the interest due on CBILS loans for the first twelve months of the loan, repayments of capital are required during this period unless the lender chooses to grant additional forbearance measures.

CBILS lenders are able extend the repayment period for CBILS facilities where this is needed, to a maximum of 10 years. CBILS term extensions are offered at the discretion of lenders, and for forbearance purposes only.

4th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many loans have been made under Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to businesses in (a) Foyle constituency and (b) Northern Ireland; and what value of those loans was.

A breakdown on the number of loans provided through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme as of 10 January 2021 is in the table below.

Region

Number of Loans Offered

Value of Loans offered (£)

Foyle

64

21,789,006

Northern Ireland

1,501

496,806,683

20th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2021 to Question 136096, what financial support the Government plans to provide to importers that will become responsible persons for the purpose of cosmetic imports in the event they are subject to associated additional costs.

Under the terms of the Protocol, the EU’s Cosmetics Regulations apply in Northern Ireland and set out the requirements that must be met before cosmetic products are placed on the market in Northern Ireland and the EU. The Office for Product Safety and Standards has provided detailed guidance for cosmetics businesses on Gov.uk that sets out the obligations under the relevant cosmetic legislation that applies in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland.

In addition, the UK has put in place arrangements for Northern Ireland businesses to have unfettered access to the rest of the UK market, and this means that the same safe cosmetic products that can be sold in Northern Ireland can also be sold in Great Britain regardless of future changes to the rules in GB. It is essential that a Responsible Person within the UK is identified for all cosmetic products to maintain consumer protection and confidence.

We recognise that some businesses may incur some additional costs and Government has worked closely with the business community to reduce any additional costs by making the notifications process by Responsible Persons for the market in Great Britain as simple as possible, allowing an additional 90 days to notify a product onto the UK database if it had been previously notified, and allowing for an additional two years from 1 January 2021 for businesses to update labelling on cosmetic products to reflect the new Responsible Person.

16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what additional financial assistance will be provided to the Northern Ireland Executive for the purchase of covid-19 vaccines.

The UK government has secured early access to 355 million vaccines doses through agreements with seven separate vaccine developers, which have been purchased for the whole of the UK.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
3rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether covid-19 grants have been allocated to political parties and organisations registered in the UK.

The Government has put forward a package of support for business in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19. In England, this included the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF), the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF) and the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF). The Government published clear guidance on the three grant schemes, and local authorities were responsible for delivering grants to businesses what were in scope: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding.

We do not hold grant payment data from local authorities broken down by sector or type of organisation.

On 3 November, the Government published guidance for English local authorities on additional grant funding to support businesses during the November to December national restrictions and periods of local restrictions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-restrictions-support-grants-lrsg-and-additional-restrictions-grant-arg-guidance-for-local-authorities. Each of the devolved nations has developed their own schemes to support businesses and the Government has provided further funding to ensure they can continue to plan for Covid-19 response in the months ahead. Enquiries relating to grant schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be directed to the relevant administration.

28th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what additional support the Government plans to provide to (a) staff and (b) suppliers of Debenhams following its closure during the covid-19 outbreak.

We recognise that this must be a worrying time for Debenhams’ employees, their families and their suppliers.

Government is doing everything we can to support Debenhams’ employees and suppliers during the Covid-19 outbreak. UK wide schemes include a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme where small and large employers will be eligible to apply for a government grant of 80% of workers’ salaries up to £2,500 a month, a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support SMEs with a turnover of up to £45 million access vital financial support, a Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme providing a Government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25 million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million and a new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility where the Bank of England will buy short term debt from larger companies.

Certain support such as Business Grants and the Business Rates Holiday is devolved in Northern Ireland. The devolved administrations will receive at least £3.5bn as a result of the support for businesses in England so they can provide support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

5th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to allocate additional funding to the Northern Ireland Executive for the support for staff affected by the collapse of Flybe.

The Government appreciates the impact this insolvency will have on Flybe passengers and employees. Our immediate priorities are to ensure passengers are kept informed of alternative travel options, and that employees who have lost their jobs are assisted in accessing support and advice. We know this will be a worrying time for Flybe staff; our Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service will help anyone whose job may be at risk.

The powers to provide financial support in this situation are devolved in Northern Ireland, and it is therefore within the responsibility of the Executive.

The UK Government will continue to closely monitor the situation, working with the Northern Ireland Executive and local partners.

3rd Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support the Northern Ireland Executive in reaching its net zero carbon emissions targets.

Ministers and officials in the Department engage regularly with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive on a wide range of issues relating to climate change and emissions reduction. We are committed to collaborative engagement in support of the UK’s net zero target and interim carbon budgets, including through regular Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Quad meetings.

In addition, the independent Committee on Climate Change published a report in February 2019 advising on how Northern Ireland can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet UK-wide emissions reduction targets between now and 2030 ('Reducing emissions in Northern Ireland').

3rd Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that Northern Ireland has security of energy supply.

Energy policy in Northern Ireland is largely a devolved matter under the responsibility for the Northern Ireland Executive.

In relation to electricity, the Single Electricity Market (SEM) is an example of North-South cooperation that has benefited consumers and the economies of Northern Ireland and Ireland and supports the stability of energy supply on the island of Ireland. The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement provides the basis for the SEM to continue after January 2021. Within the SEM, the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism helps ensure that generation capacity is sufficient to meet demand. The Moyle Interconnector, linking electricity markets in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, also strengthens Northern Ireland’s security of supply, and the proposed North-South Interconnector between Ireland and Northern Ireland will further enhance this.

In relation to gas, the UK gas market is one of the world’s most developed and provides security from highly diverse and flexible sources of gas supply. Over the past 10 years, analysis undertaken by the UK Government and others has delivered a consistent message: the gas system is secure in the face of all but the most extreme and unlikely shocks.

4th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of over 75s in the Foyle constituency who will be required to pay for TV licences.

The government is deeply disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.

However, the Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the government. The BBC must look urgently at how it can use its substantial licence fee income to support older people and deliver for UK audiences of all ages.

The BBC has estimated that around 3.7 million households will now be expected to pay for their TV licence as a result of its decision. The BBC has not published information on the breakdown by constituency of those affected by its decision.

22nd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on ensuring that Northern Ireland can continue to participate in the Erasmus+ programme after the end of the transition period.

The UK will continue to participate fully in the current (2014-2020) Erasmus+ programme under the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the European Union (EU). This means that the projects successfully bid for during the current programmes will continue to receive EU funding for the full duration of the project. This includes projects where funding runs beyond 2020 and the end of the transition period.

With regards to the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-27), the government remains open to considering participation in elements of the next Erasmus+ programme, provided that the terms are in the UK’s interests. Future participation is subject to our ongoing negotiations with the EU.

Ministers regularly meet to discuss the ongoing negotiations, including the UK’s consideration of programmes participation. While international relations remain a reserved matter, the UK government is committed to working closely with the devolved administrations throughout negotiations with the EU to ensure a future relationship that works in the interests of the whole of the UK.

In parallel, the government is continuing to develop a domestic alternative to Erasmus+, to ensure we are prepared for every eventuality. We are working closely with other government departments and the devolved administrations as we work towards a UK-wide domestic alternative scheme.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) other devolved institutions in Northern Ireland on creating a co-ordinated policy to provide assistance to students financially affected by continuing obligations to pay rent on student accommodation during the covid-19 outbreak.

As my right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have both made clear, the government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID-19.

Housing and student maintenance loans are devolved matters, as is higher education. However, the department has been working closely with colleagues in Northern Ireland to discuss a range of higher education areas affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

English-domiciled students anywhere in the UK are continuing to receive scheduled payments of loans towards their living costs for the remainder of the current, 2019/20, academic year. Many higher education providers will have hardship funds to support students in times of need, including emergencies.

We have worked closely with the Office for Students to enable providers in England to draw upon existing funding to increase hardship funds and support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19. As a result, providers will be able to use the funding, worth around £23 million per month for April and May, towards student hardship funds.

Students with a part-time employment contract should speak to their employer about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19), which has been set up to help pay staff wages and keep people in employment.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
27th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with counterparts in the devolved Administrations on the refunding of tuition fees paid by students who have had their tuition interrupted as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Education is devolved and it will be for each administration to determine the actions they wish to take.

We are working closely with sector representative bodies in England to understand the impact of COVID-19 and the immediate financial implications for students and providers, and we are working with universities to make sure all reasonable efforts are being made to enable students to continue their studies to the best of their abilities.

The government has made it clear that if universities are unable to deliver adequate online teaching then it would be unacceptable for students to be charged for any additional terms of study, which would effectively mean that they were being charged twice. We only expect full tuition fees to be charged if online courses are of good quality, fit for purpose and help students progress towards their qualification. If universities want to charge full fees, they will have to ensure that the quality is there.

Whether or not an individual student is entitled to a refund of their fees will depend on specific contractual arrangements between the student and their university. Students ordinarily should not expect any fee refund if they are receiving adequate online learning and support.

In the first instance, students should speak to their university. We expect student complaints and appeals processes to be operated flexibly, accessibly and sympathetically by institutions to resolve any concerns. Students who are not satisfied with their institution’s final response can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education to consider their complaint if their institution is based in England or Wales.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
24th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department is providing to university students tied into rental agreements during the covid-19 outbreak.

As my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have both made clear, the government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by Covid-19.

Students will continue to receive scheduled payments of loans towards their living costs for the remainder of the 2019/20 academic year.

While it is for universities and private accommodation providers to make their own decisions about charging rents to absent students, we would encourage them to consider the fairness of doing so and to clearly communicate their policies to students. It is also important to stress that accommodation providers should not have instructed any student to leave. If any accommodation provider did formally instruct a student to leave the property then it would be unacceptable to continue to charge student rents.

Students who are tenants with individual private landlords should discuss the possibility of an early release from their lease. As tenants, students are entitled to support such as repayable rent reductions or postponements and assurances that eviction proceedings cannot begin against them for 3 months if they are impacted by Covid-19. However, students renting under licence (which is the case in most halls of residence) are ineligible for this support.

Students with a part-time employment contract should speak to their employer about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19 - which has been set up to help pay staff wages and keep people in employment.

We have also asked that higher education providers pay particular attention to the additional financial hardships that are being faced by student staff who have been reliant on income from campus-based jobs at this time.

If a student thinks that their accommodation provider is treating them unfairly, they can raise a complaint under the accommodation codes of practice as long as their provider is a code member. The codes can be found at: https://www.thesac.org.uk/; https://www.unipol.org.uk/the-code/how-to-complain and: https://www.rla.org.uk/about/nrla-code-of-practice.shtml.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
24th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on ensuring that students tied into private rental agreements are supported during the covid-19 outbreak.

As my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have both made clear, the government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID-19.

Housing and student maintenance loans are devolved matters, as is higher education. However, the department has been working closely with colleagues in Northern Ireland to discuss a range of higher education areas affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The government encourages universities and private hall providers to be fair in their decisions about rent charges for this period.

Students who are tenants with individual private landlords should discuss the possibility of an early release from their lease.

If a student thinks that their accommodation provider is treating them unfairly, they can raise a complaint under the UK accommodation codes of practice as long as their provider is a code member. The codes can be found at: https://www.thesac.org.uk/ and https://www.unipol.org.uk/the-code/how-to-complain. The code of practice for the Landlords Association for Northern Ireland is at: https://www.lani.org.uk/about/code-of-practice/.

Students with a part-time employment contract should speak to their employer about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19) which has been set up to help pay staff wages and keep people in employment.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will introduce proposals to ensure statutory geographical indication protections for UK exporters of Irish Whiskey to help ensure alignment with the protections provided by the EU.

Irish Whiskey is registered in both the UK and EU as a cross-border geographical indication. In line with our ambitious trade agenda, the UK government aims to expand on the current intellectual protections for Irish Whiskey in third countries, both through seeking amendments to their legislation and via geographical indication protection in trade agreements.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Flood Re scheme for ensuring that residents in areas of flooding risk have access to insurance.

Prior to Flood Re, research found that 9% of policy holders with a prior flood claim could obtain flood insurance quotes from two or more insurers and 0% could get quotes from five or more. Following the Scheme’s launch, around 96% of households with prior flood claims can now receive quotes from five or more insurers, with most customers getting more than ten quotes. Flood Re is available via more than 85 insurance brands representing 94% of the home insurance market. More than 450,000 properties have benefitted since the scheme’s launch.

The Flood Re scheme is reviewed every five years to ensure that it is efficient and effective. The first Quinquennial Review (QQR) was published by Flood Re in July 2019 and made recommendations to the Government. The next QQR is due in 2024.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress he has made on discussions with the European Union to ensure that pets can travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain without additional impediment following the UK's exit from the European Union.

The UK has been formally ‘listed’ as a ‘Part 2’ third country for the purposes of the EU pet travel regulations, which means that new rules apply to pet movements from Great Britain to the EU and also – under the Northern Ireland Protocol – to the non-commercial movements of pets into Northern Ireland. The health and documentary requirements for such pet travel are set out under the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

We are continuing to press the European Commission on securing Part 1 listed status and in regaining recognition of our freedom from the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, as achieving these would alleviate some of these new requirements for pet owners and assistance dog users. We meet all the animal health requirements for this, and we have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity.

Additionally, the Government is engaging with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to explore means to streamline pet travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, recognising the high standards of animal health that we share. Current guidance on pet travel to Northern Ireland is available on DAERA’s NIDirect website.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
19th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to Answer of 25 February to Question 156629, what steps he is taking to consult (a) non-governmental organisations from Northern Ireland and (b) other non-governmental organisations on the new Chemicals Strategy set out in Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

Following the end of the Transition Period and our departure from the EU, the Government, working with the Devolved Administrations, is developing an ambitious Chemicals Strategy which will set out our immediate priorities, and provide a framework for any actions we will need to take to achieve safer and more environmentally sustainable management of chemicals for present and future generations.


As we develop our Strategy, we are continuing to gather evidence and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including environmental and human health NGOs from across the UK. We will set out next steps in due course.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether pest control services are classified as a key service in relation to the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government’s guidance for critical workers specifically relates to the continued offer for education provision for their children. The indicative list of critical sectors published in the guidance does not have wider implications, and does not confer special status on individuals included in the guidance pertaining to travel, business or any other services.

Pest control services come under the ‘Food and other necessary goods’ section of the government’s guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision


In the first instance, employees should confirm with their employer if their role is critical and if they are able to work from home, to establish whether they meet the criteria for their children to attend school. We are asking individuals, employers and schools to make sensible judgments about the policy.

The Government's position remains that everyone who can work from home should do so. Where that is not possible, people should go into work where it is safe and they (or members of their household) are not symptomatic, following relevant PHE guidance. This applies to pest control services. The guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
3rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reason Russian Federation cargo has not been sanctioned following the implementation of sanctions on Russian Federation vessels as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions Russia has ever seen. The UK Government has banned all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, chartered, registered or flagged from entering British ports. Ships carrying cargo from Russia are not within the scope of these specific transport sanctions. However, we continue to consider further trade measures to support our policy of ratcheting up economic pressure on Russia. We already prohibit the export of a range of goods critical to Russia's strategic economy and have severely limited Putin's access to finance. Nothing is off the table until Putin reverses his illegal invasion of Ukraine, stops undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and abides by international law.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with her US counterpart on the Northern Ireland Protocol; and what effect concerns raised by the US administration on the Northern Ireland Protocol and Article 16 have on the Government's negotiating position in respect of EU proposals which would lead to an 80 per cent reduction in checks on food products arriving in Northern Ireland.

As stated on 2nd December by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Member for Portsmouth North, discussions with the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol and discussions with the United States on a prospective Free Trade Agreement are two entirely separate issues. We do not see any connection between them and will not perpetuate such false narratives.

The Secretary of State for International Trade remains in regular contact with her counterpart, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, on our bilateral relationship. During their meeting on 20th September, they discussed a range of topics including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and they met again on 7th December.

7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol on the prospects of a trade deal with the US.

As stated on 2nd December by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Member for Portsmouth North, discussions with the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol and discussions with the United States on a prospective Free Trade Agreement are two entirely separate issues. We do not see any connection between them and will not perpetuate such false narratives.

The Secretary of State for International Trade remains in regular contact with her counterpart, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, on our bilateral relationship. During their meeting on 20th September, they discussed a range of topics including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and they met again on 7th December.

28th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department is advising businesses to register in the EU Single Market.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 January to Question UIN 143100.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence his Department had with (i) the Northern Ireland Office, (ii) the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure and (iii) Translink on the Union Connectivity Review Report between publication of that Report and the Government response.

As you will appreciate, most transport matters are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. The UK Government’s Transport Ministers engaged with their counterparts when the Northern Ireland Executive was in place. In the absence of an Executive, officials have continued to liaise regularly with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Translink on the recommendations made by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s independent Union Connectivity Review. This resulted in the UK Government providing funding support for three rail connectivity studies in Northern Ireland. The Department for Transport also engaged regularly with the Northern Ireland Office at official and ministerial level to discuss UK connectivity matters.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support he plans provide to Belfast City Airport to help ensure that vacant routes are filled by other airlines following the collapse of Flybe.

We are urgently working with industry to identify opportunities to re-establish key Flybe routes throughout the UK, and have kept in close contact with airlines and airports over the last few days to emphasise this. We are pleased to see that a number of airlines have already committed to operating many of these routes in the near future, including from Belfast City Airport.