Oral Answers to Questions

Lauren Sullivan Excerpts

Wednesday 21st May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Hilary Benn]

I share with the hon. Member and the whole House a wish to see lasting peace in the middle east, and what is happening at the moment is appalling and intolerable. However, I think the most important lesson from the Good Friday agreement was the courageous political leadership shown by the parties to the conflict—people such as John Hume and David Trimble—and I have to say that, tragically, that same courageous political leadership is absent in the middle east.

[Dr Lauren Sullivan (Gravesham) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking to support the Northern Ireland Executive in tackling violence against women and girls.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)]

Rates of violence against women and girls are higher in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK. This Government are committed to working with the Executive to tackle this emergency, and I have met and supported many politicians and organisations across Northern Ireland that are doing just that. The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Yardley (Jess Phillips), and I recently met the Northern Ireland TEO—The Executive Office—and Justice Ministers in Belfast to discuss working closely together, including on online safety and support for frontline organisations.

[Dr Sullivan]

The strategy for tackling violence against women and girls must challenge the attitudes that enable it. What recent discussions has the Minister had with stakeholders across Northern Ireland to support these campaign efforts?

Oral Answers to Questions

Lauren Sullivan Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Well, I think we will wait then. Let us move on. I call Dr Lauren Sullivan.

[Dr Lauren Sullivan (Gravesham) (Lab)]

Question 4, Mr Speaker. [Laughter.]

[Dr Lauren Sullivan (Gravesham) (Lab)]

4. Whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the budget sustainability plan.

[Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall) (Lab)]

7. Whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the budget sustainability plan.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

Where were we, Mr Speaker?

I welcome the publication of the Northern Ireland Executive’s budget sustainability plan—a positive and necessary step towards sustainable public finances—and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has agreed with the Northern Ireland Finance Minister that discussions over a long-term fiscal framework for Northern Ireland can now begin.

[Dr Sullivan]

Does the Secretary of State agree that to ensure sustainable finances the Northern Ireland Executive need to take steps to reform the NHS and public services?

[Hilary Benn]

I share my hon. Friend’s view. As the House will be aware, people in Northern Ireland face the longest waiting lists in the whole United Kingdom, and all Governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive, have to balance the money coming in and the funds that they can raise, and take decisions about public service reform. I am very encouraged by the recent event organised by the Northern Ireland Health Minister, which Dr Bengoa, who produced a report on reform in Northern Ireland, returned to Northern Ireland to attend, because there is now a commitment to take forward that process.