Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner a full time post.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
We will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the employment tribunal decision entitled Major C Milroy v Advocate-General for Scotland of 5 August 2024, reference 4103202/2020, whether he plans to provide pensions to army reservists (a) from and (b) who served in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence is currently in discussion with legal counsel on the implications of the judgment and the possibility of appealing.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3923 Parcels: Northern Ireland, what new support for fast parcel operations between Great Britain and Northern Ireland her Department discussed with freight operators in Northern Ireland in its engagement with businesses and parcel carriers.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As per the answer to Question 3923, the Government has carried out extensive engagement with businesses on a regular basis (including freight operators, parcel carriers and other businesses) since the Windsor framework was agreed in February 2023. This has included detailed technical discussion on moving parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in a manner that provides continuity for businesses. The Government continues to provide focused technical and delivery support to ensure a smooth transition to the new Windsor Framework arrangements.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3923 Parcels: Northern Ireland, what new mechanisms for business to business her Department discussed with freight operators in Northern Ireland in its engagement with businesses and parcel carriers.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As per the answer to Question 3923, the Government has carried out extensive engagement with businesses on a regular basis (including freight operators, parcel carriers and other businesses) since the Windsor framework was agreed in February 2023. This has included detailed technical discussion on moving parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in a manner that provides continuity for businesses. The Government continues to provide focused technical and delivery support to ensure a smooth transition to the new Windsor Framework arrangements.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date he became aware of resignation of the Northern Ireland Veterans' Commissioner; and whether he had discussions with the Commissioner prior to his resignation.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
I became aware on 5 September that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had accepted the resignation of the Commissioner. We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans in Northern Ireland following the resignation of the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
I became aware on 5 September that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had accepted the resignation of the Commissioner. We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 900173 on UK Internal Trade: Large Goods Vehicles, when she last met representatives of the Northern Ireland Haulage industry; what issues were raised; and what steps her Department took to help resolve those issues.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. In relation to the Windsor Framework, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also regularly engages with businesses including meeting with industry representatives in Belfast in late August.
The Government’s key focus is to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements for the movement of goods under the Windsor Framework. Officials have regularly engaged business representative organisations and businesses on the technical delivery elements of the changes. This includes a workshop group with the haulage industry which has covered a range of topics in relation to the specific challenges faced by hauliers.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Trader Support Service (TSS) is fit for purpose; whether the TSS will continue after December 2024; and whether it is her policy that the TSS should remain free at the point of use.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government is committed to providing ongoing support to traders moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland beyond the current Trader Support Service (TSS) contract period and will set out further information concerning the future of the TSS in due course.
The TSS continues to operate smoothly and consistently. HMRC monitors customer satisfaction scores, customer feedback and management information to continuously improve the service. As of July 2024, the TSS customer satisfaction score was 87.5%.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance her Department plans to issue for (a) hauliers and (b) traders on the implementation of updated UK Internal Market Scheme; and if she will publish (A) details and (B) process maps for (1) H8 (TSS dataset) and (2) GVMS requirements.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government continues to engage extensively with traders and hauliers to build readiness for the implementation of the new arrangements under the Windsor Framework.
Guidance on gov.uk is consistently updated in line with any new requirements coming into effect. Specific guidance for traders and hauliers on the UK Internal Market Scheme can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland.
And guidance on the requirements for GVMS can be found on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-how-to-move-goods-through-ports-that-use-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has had discussions with the Minister of Communities in Northern Ireland on ensuring that Barnett consequentials from the Household Support Fund are utilised to support people no longer in receipt of Winter Fuel Payment.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government has announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.
An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.
The Household Support Fund operates in England only. It is for the Devolved Governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit.