Sammy Wilson

The updated GPSR largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. However, where businesses do require some support, we are exploring ways in which the Government can help. We are providing more guidance in this area, will keep this under review and continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely with the EU.

I have made no representations to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

The British Olympic Association, as the National Organising Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is the domestic representative to the IOC and does so operating independently of Government.

At present, the Government has no policy to encourage greater use of motorcycles, mopeds or other powered light vehicles.

The Government supports the purchase of zero emission motorcycles with the plug-in motorcycle grant for those who want to switch to an electric motorcycle. This is available until at least March 2025 and since 2016 has supported the purchase of over 12,000 mopeds and motorcycles.

Resolving the longstanding problems and missed opportunities of micromobility, including e-scooters, is a priority for the Department for Transport and we will work with colleagues across Government to tackle this as soon as possible.

In November, the Government launched its plan to develop an Integrated National Transport Strategy, which will set out how all modes of transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve all the people who use it, and enable them to live fulfilling lives.

Ministers have not met with motorcycle manufacturers. Officials continue to meet with the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), which represents and oversees the interests of motorcycle, moped, scooter and Powered Light Vehicle (PLV) industry.

The Department for Transport has received additional evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association on the road safety considerations for the proposals set out in their report ‘A Licence to Net Zero’, which proposed changes to the existing licensing regime for mopeds, motorcycles and light powered vehicles. Officials are currently analysing this.

The Department for Transport has received additional evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association on the road safety considerations for the proposals set out in their report ‘A Licence to Net Zero’, which proposed changes to the existing licensing regime for mopeds, motorcycles and light powered vehicles. Officials are currently analysing this.

The Secretary of State has not yet had any discussions with international counterparts on end of sales dates for new non-zero emission powered light vehicles. We remain committed to decarbonising transport, including powered light vehicles, as we shift to zero emission mobility.

The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) determines entitlement to the extra health-related amount of Universal Credit. It is not based on a person’s condition, but on how it affects their ability to function. It recognises that conditions can vary in their severity and therefore people with the same condition can have different WCA outcomes.

WCA reassessments are prioritised for customers on the health element of UC who report a change in their health condition. Routine department-led reassessments are scheduled according to expected prognosis length for recovery and subject to available assessment capacity.

The healthcare professional who performs the WCA, will advise a DWP decision maker on when an individual should be re-assessed. This advice is based on when the individual’s condition is expected to have improved to the point were looking for work or preparing for work may become a realistic option. For those with Limited Capability for Work, re-referral dates can be 6, 12, 18 or 24 months. For individuals with more serious or complex conditions, who have Limited Capability for Work and Work-related activity (LCWRA), a 3-year re-referral date can be chosen.

Individuals, who have LCWRA, with the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function means that they will always have LCWRA and are unlikely ever to be able to move into work, are not routinely reassessed.

The Work Capability Assessment is not working and needs to be reformed or replaced. This needs to come alongside a proper plan to support disabled people to work, which will, in turn, bring down the benefits bill.

We are taking the time to review this in the round before setting out next steps on our approach in the coming months.

Tackling waiting lists, including for neurology, is a key part of our Health Mission. We are committed to getting back to the NHS Constitutional standard that at least 92% of patient wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, within our first term.

To reduce waiting times for neurological services, NHS England is working hard to improve the delivery of services for admitted patients with neurological disorders, including at a trust level, whilst also enhancing the use of advice and guidance to optimise referrals, and improving productivity in outpatient services through reducing the number of missed appointments and by optimising follow up systems.

NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme is also working to develop guidance for health systems on all aspects of neurology pathway improvement in integrated care systems, including specialised services, secondary care, and community services. This work is focused on improving equity of access to, and timeliness of, care.

Diagnostics, and in some cases surgical procedures, are key parts of the neurological pathways. At the 2024 Autumn Budget, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £1.5 billion of capital funding for new surgical hubs and diagnostic scanners. This will build capacity for over 30,000 additional procedures and over 1.25 million diagnostic tests, as well as new beds, which will create more treatment space in emergency departments, reduce waiting times, and help shift more care into the community.

The 10-Year Health Plan will set out how we will deliver a National Health Service that is fit for the future, with a better service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area. We expect that the long-term workforce plan will need to be updated to reflect that plan, so that we train the staff we need to ensure that all patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including minorities, publicly and in our engagement with regional and international partners. We are closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities, including Christians.

No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.

We are working closely with the UN and other humanitarian partners to understand any barriers to access. We continue to call on all parties to support humanitarian access, including for humanitarian workers, in all regions of Syria.

In Aleppo, we are urging all parties to refrain from activity that will lead to further loss of civilian life, or damage to civilian infrastructure, to avoid further destabilisation and civilian suffering in the region.

The UK has consistently encouraged the Azerbaijani authorities to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians displaced by conflict who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. We have no plans to raise international protection in relation to this matter. We commend the tremendous efforts of the Armenian government which has supported those displaced from the region to enable them to have a future in the country.

The UK Government is clear that the preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is important. We are aware of allegations from both Armenia and Azerbaijan that cultural and religious sites have been deliberately damaged over the course of the decades-long conflict between the two states. The UK Government has raised the topic of religious and cultural destruction with the Azerbaijani Government on many occasions and continues to press for the protection of sites of significance.

The UK continues to urge the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that those detained during its longstanding conflict with Armenia, or during September 2023's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. Regarding prisoners of war, we have been consistent in calling for their release, and for the return of the remains of the deceased, throughout the period of conflict in the region. I raised this issue with Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan, Elchin Amirbayov, during his visit to the UK in October.

The UK ensures Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) remains on the international platform through our multilateral engagement.

At the UN, we regularly take part in Interactive Dialogues with the UN Special Rapporteur for FoRB, most recently on 24 October. We also cosponsored a side event at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council on combatting intolerance.

At the 22nd G7 Speakers' Meeting in September, we actively engaged in drafting the resulting Declaration and were pleased to see a commitment to FoRB for all included.

We are an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, and recently attended the International Ministerial Conference on FoRB in Berlin. The UK delivered a national statement at the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimensions Conference, in October, on FoRB and fundamental freedoms.

The Government engages in regular discussions with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the EU on matters of mutual interest.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway in order to continue trading with the EU. We are providing more guidance to businesses in this area, will keep this under review, and continue to engage with businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

The Government engages in regular discussions with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the EU on matters of mutual interest.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway in order to continue trading with the EU. We are providing more guidance to businesses in this area, will keep this under review, and continue to engage with businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

The Government engages in regular discussions with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the EU on matters of mutual interest.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway in order to continue trading with the EU. We are providing more guidance to businesses in this area, will keep this under review, and continue to engage with businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

As at 30 June 2024, the Northern Ireland Office employs 172 staff.

As of 24 July 2024, the Northern Ireland Office employs one ministerial Special Advisor.