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.

The current licensing requirements and age restrictions for moped, motorcycles were implemented in 2012 when the UK transposed the requirements of the European Union’s Third Driving Licence Directive. These regulations were drafted after extensive public consultation, impact assessments and Parliamentary scrutiny via the European Scrutiny Committee. Furthermore, these regulations were subject to a Post Implementation Review in 2017, published on the legislation.uk website.

The Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group plan to meet in autumn 2024. The date and agenda for the meeting have yet to be decided.

The Department for Transport continues to meet with representatives from the motorcycling industry to discuss proposals on Category L licensing reform. We are awaiting evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association on their proposals.

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.

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 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.

Freedom of religion or belief is a priority for the FCDO. It is a fundamental right that we regularly discuss with the Turkish authorities. The Turkish government has repeatedly stated its support for the operation of churches and the religious houses of all faiths in Türkiye. In our engagement with Türkiye, we will continue to engage on these issues and to urge respect for religious freedoms, which are essential to the long-term health of Turkish democracy.

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

The Northern Ireland Office does not hold data on citizenship held by staff. As per the terms of the 1998 Agreement, this Government recognises the right of all people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, according to preference.