Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has taken steps to help support (a) businesses and (b) consumers in Northern Ireland to order from suppliers based in Great Britain in the period since the signing of the trade agreement with the EU on 19 May 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government’s renewed partnership with the EU will deliver a broader range of benefits for people and businesses across the UK, including the SPS Agreement which, once implemented, will help facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, reduce costs for businesses and improve consumer choice. These new arrangements will now be developed into a legal text over the coming months.
The Government also remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and to protecting the UK internal market. The Framework guarantees unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the UK market and also supports traders to do business. Many are taking advantage of the support provided by the Trader Support Service.
On 1 May 2025, the Government introduced important new arrangements for freight and parcels movements to ensure that goods can continue to move smoothly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The new arrangements ensure that goods sent to or from consumers will not be subject to customs declarations or duty. We have also introduced a range of schemes to support businesses by removing unnecessary checks and paperwork; over 10,000 businesses are already signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will hold discussions with InterTrade UK on the potential impact of the trade agreement with the EU on internal trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government's new strategic partnership with the EU will deliver greater prosperity and security for Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole. In particular, the new SPS Agreement with the EU will facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, protecting the UK’s internal market, reducing costs for businesses and improving consumer choice.
Intertrade UK is focused on promoting all internal UK trade including work to support businesses across the UK realise the full benefits of the new SPS Agreement.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to amend the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements system for dealing with people who have been convicted of terror-related offences after their release from prison.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Multi Agency Review Arrangements (MARA) are a devolved matter, led and co-ordinated by the Department of Justice. MARA makes provision for classification of and risk management of Terrorist Risk Offenders following their release from prison. Any changes to MARA would be a matter for the Department of Justice.
Individuals released under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 are not managed under MARA, unless they are subject to other sentences which bring them within the MARA arrangements. I am not planning any changes to the arrangements under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many meetings of Intertrade UK he plans to attend in 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Intertrade UK will serve as a non-statutory advisory body that supports the East-West Council (EWC) in promoting all internal UK trade.
We will be providing further details on the membership of the group and how the work of the group will be taken forward in due course.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Invest NI to help promote Northern Ireland as an inward investment opportunity during the forthcoming Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Royal Portrush will stage the 153rd Open Golf Championship in 2025, providing another outstanding showcase for golf in Northern Ireland. The 148th Open, held at Royal Portrush nine years ago, became the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of more than £100 million to the region.
I have asked my officials to contact Invest NI to discuss this. I would also encourage the Honourable Member to share any suggestions he has to enhance any existing investment promotion with the Department for Business and Trade.
The Growth mission is the number one priority of the Government. That is why we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to create a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment, job creation, and higher living standards.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the cost of developing Casement Park.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Regrettably, given the amount of time wasted by the previous Government, Casement Park could not be built in time for the Euros. The risks of not completing it on time were unacceptably high. While the redevelopment of Casement Park is a devolved policy matter, we are continuing to engage with all partners involved in the project, including the Northern Ireland Executive and the GAA, and assessing the options available.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the work of Intertrade UK is not affected by trade barriers faced by some GB-based businesses supplying to Northern Ireland-based consumers.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
A key focus for Intertrade UK will be to promote the full extent of the UK’s market to businesses and traders and to help to counter any misconceptions businesses and traders in Great Britain may have about providing goods and services in Northern Ireland.
I expect to be in a position to announce the full membership of Intertrade UK and the date of the first meeting shortly.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12917 on InterTrade UK, when he plans to announce the (a) remaining membership appointees and (b) first and subsequent meetings of InterTrade UK.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Preparatory work necessary to establish Intertrade UK is ongoing. I expect to be in a position to announce the membership of the body and the date of the first meeting at the earliest opportunity in the New Year.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he expects the independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane to begin sitting.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Inquiries Act 2005 sets out clear steps to follow in setting up an inquiry, including the appointment of the Chair, agreement on the Terms of Reference, working through the necessary logistics such as facilities and services procurement, and setting up the Inquiry secretariat. I am keen that the Inquiry is able to begin its work without undue delay.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent estimate he has made of when the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner will be appointed.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government recognises the dedicated service of all our veterans and is committed to supporting the veteran community across the whole of the UK.
I have previously made clear my intention to confirm the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner before the end of the year and expect to make an announcement shortly.