Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the building of the third runway at Heathrow on flights from non-London airports.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are currently reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) and plan to consult on a revised ANPS in July 2026. The Department also plans to publish updated aviation passenger forecasts alongside the consultation. These forecasts will take account of the potential impact of the building of a third runway at Heathrow on flights from non-London airports. As part of the review of the ANPS, the Department is also considering domestic connectivity from Heathrow.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to phase out of the use of animals in science.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25th November 2025 to Question UIN 91769
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to review the adequacy of her Department's enforcement of section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office maintains a rigorous approach to enforcing Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which embeds the statutory principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs). All applications proposing the use of animals undergo a robust assessment to ensure that non-animal alternatives have been fully explored, that any animals use is fully justified and that potential harms are minimised. Compliance with the 3Rs is actively monitored through a programme of audit and follow-up enforcement activity.
Animal Welfare and Ethical Review bodies (AWERBs) have an essential and statutory responsibility under ASPA in challenging the need for animal use and advising on the application of the 3Rs within establishments. The Home Office has commissioned the Animals in Science Committee for advice on enhancing the effectiveness and consistency of AWERBs across the system.
In November 2025, the Government published “Replacing animals in science: a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods”. This strategy commits to delivery of recommendations published in the ‘Rawle Report’, which involve strengthening Home Office processes for assuring full implementation of the 3Rs. The report is available here: The role of review and regulatory approvals processes for animal research in supporting implementation of the 3Rs
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Pakistani counterpart on the denial of bail to Nadeem Masih; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help tackle the impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws on freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 October to question 75585.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Malaysian counterpart on the protection and support of Rohingya refugees.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the response provided on 10 February to Question 110802.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what are the outcomes of the UK shared Prosperity Fund programme in Northern Ireland including (a) the total number of participants engaged across the region; (b) the number and percentage of participants who achieved sustainable employment and the methodology used to measure this; (c) the number of percentage of participants who entered further or higher education; (d) he number of participants who entered volunteering roles; and (e) how many women achieved each of the above outcomes.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Up to September 2025, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in Northern Ireland has supported around 36,000 people. Of these, 12% have sustained work for at least six months, 27% undertook education activity and 7% participated in volunteering opportunities. Definitions for these indicators are published here: UKSPF_Indicators_25-26_.xlsx. For those declaring gender, 52% were female.
The UKSPF allocated funding for economic inactivity projects by competition. Provision was available in all parts of Northern Ireland. Where any area was under-served, we have encouraged deliverers to broaden their geographic reach.
My Department are working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Executive to design and deliver the new Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland, with more information to follow.