Katrina Murray

The UK has been a leading international advocate for Colombian efforts to implement the 2016 Peace Agreement. The UK acts as penholder for the Colombian peace process at the UN Security Council and supports the important work of the UN Verification Mission, whose mandate the UN Security council renewed in October. Through the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), the UK has historically committed £80 million to support the implementation of the agreement. In partnership with UN agencies and civil society organisations, UK funding has supported rural development and reintegration programmes to strengthen the security of the communities in conflict affected areas. During her visit in November, Baroness Chapman met Foreign Minister Rojas and emphasised the UK's support for the Colombian peace process and 2016 agreement at international forums.

The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, have been in place for over twenty years and are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees but through their own company, usually a personal service company (PSC), pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) as those who are directly employed.

The reform to the off-payroll working rules in the private and voluntary sectors, introduced in April 2021, is estimated to have generated an additional £1.8 billion in tax revenue up to March 2022. Further details are set out in HMRC’s research report published on gov.uk in December 2022:

Impacts of the off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors - GOV.UK

HMRC has previously evaluated the public sector reform and estimated it generated around £525m between April 2017 and March 2019.

On 17 October, the government published a consultation on regulating Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products and enhancing users’ protections. The proposals will require BNPL firms to conduct affordability checks to prevent unaffordable borrowing and provide clear information to consumers. Users will gain rights under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act and have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service, making it easier to obtain refunds and redress if something goes wrong.

Hundreds of thousands of homes were affected by Storm Éowyn and I know the House would wish to express its thanks to all those who worked so hard to restore services.

The Government worked closely with the NI Executive to ensure that all the help needed for Northern Ireland to recover was provided.