Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his planned timetable is to bring forward legislation to repeal section 10(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government is working actively to deliver commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, which was published on 31 January (CP 1021). This includes the passing into law on 20 February of two statutory instruments to give effect to legislative assurances contained within the command paper. Any required further legislation will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his planned timetable is for the Northern Ireland Assembly to bring forward revenue raising proposals.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The UK Government remains determined to support the Executive to unlock the opportunities that the financial package presents.
To help stabilise the Executive’s financial position, the UK Government has agreed to pause its debt repayments from 2022-23 and 2023-24 of up to £559 million and will no longer require these funds to be repaid, subject to the Executive publishing a plan by May 2024 which outlines how it will deliver sustainable public finances and services and demonstrating implementation of that plan by May 2025.
This sustainability plan must include the delivery of a balanced budget for 2024-25 by raising a minimum of £113 million through locally generated income. It will be for the Executive to determine if it will consider a different course of action to deliver the public services that Northern Ireland needs as part of its sustainability plan.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
What recent assessment the Government has made of the effect of implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol on Northern Ireland's economy.
Answered by Robin Walker
Whilst the Northern Ireland economy is facing significant challenges, particularly due to Covid-19, I am confident that Northern Ireland has a promising economic future.
Through the Northern Ireland Protocol, local businesses have unfettered access to the rest of the UK Market whilst also retaining access to the EU Single Market for goods.
The unique opportunities afforded by the Protocol allow Northern Ireland to be promoted as a great place to live and work, strengthening and growing its economy as a competitive and world class base for global businesses.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department has made an assessment of the ability of orchestras in Northern Ireland to recruit freelance musicians from the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Chloe Smith
My Department has not made a specific assessment of the ability of orchestras in Northern Ireland to recruit freelance musicians from Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.
As has been made clear, we are committed to maintaining the Common Travel Area (CTA) and have agreed principles with the Commission to preserve the CTA and associated rights as included in the UK:EU Joint Report. Rights to work, study, access to social security and public services will be preserved on a reciprocal basis for UK and Irish nationals.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to promote Northern Ireland's professional orchestral sector.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Culture policy, including the promotion of orchestras, is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The UK Government recognises, though, the important and hugely valued work done by orchestras and classical music organisations right across the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive on the implications for the Executive's funding of its decision not to end subsidies to onshore wind farms by April 2016.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
With certain limited exceptions, energy is a devolved matter. It is therefore for the Northern Ireland Executive to decide whether or not they end subsidies to onshore wind projects and consider the funding implications.