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, whether she has made representations to her Cuban counterpart on (a) the detention of Jonathan Muir Burgos and (b) the Christian community in the last 12 months.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 June in response to Question 5332.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a delay in the implementation of reforms to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme treatment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel on sustainable aviation fuel producers.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK ETS Authority is consulting on the future treatment of SAF in the UK ETS, with this work progressing as planned. The Government recognises the importance of a cohesive SAF policy landscape across both demand and supply sides of the UK SAF market, including for SAF producers.
Any changes to the UK ETS treatment of SAF will take this, and consultation responses, into account. With the UK and EU in negotiations in pursuit of linking the UK ETS and EU ETS, the Authority will also need to consider any implications of ETS linking once negotiations have concluded.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to bring forward the timetable for recognising emissions reductions associated with Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK ETS already allows aircraft operators to recognise emissions reductions from eligible SAF when meeting their allowance surrender obligations, in line with existing legislative requirements, including the annual reporting deadline of 31 March.
The UK ETS Authority is consulting on the future treatment of SAF in the UK ETS. Any changes would be informed by consultation responses and set out in a consultation response. With the UK and EU in negotiations in pursuit of linking the UK ETS and EU ETS, the Authority will also need to consider any implications of ETS linking once negotiations have concluded.
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 assessment she has made of the potential impact of Cultural and Educational Programs on UK soft power in Ireland.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Joint Statement between the Prime Minister and Taoiseach Micheál Martin following the UK-Ireland summit in Cork this March includes a range of cultural and educational initiatives that will enhance the already rich cooperation between our countries in both these fields. In particular, the first Ireland-UK Youth Forum, the next meeting of which will be hosted by the UK in 2027.
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 recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of British Council programs in Northern Ireland on that country; and whether she plans to support the continuation of those programs.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The British Council plays a crucial role supporting the UK's interests around the world, including in Northern Ireland, supported by its work in education, arts and culture, and promoting the English language. The British Council is operationally independent from the UK Government.
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 assessment she has made of the potential impact of UK (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral assistance to Pakistan on (i) improvements in freedom of religion or belief and (ii) protection of minority communities.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan, and we regularly raise the rights and safety of religious minorities with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. UK assistance to Pakistan is delivered through trusted partners, subject to due diligence and regularly reviewed; it supports work that promotes interfaith dialogue and tackles online hate speech, helping protect vulnerable minority communities. We will continue to urge Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is providing to UK companies exporting defence technologies to Ukraine to help them leverage battlefield-tested innovations for wider international markets.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what measures has his Department put in place to support UK firms supplying defence equipment to Ukraine to adopt rapid innovation cycles based on operational experience.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, did the Northern Ireland Executive receive a Barnett consequential payment as a result of the £42.3 million top-up to the English apprenticeship budget for the year 2025/2026.
Answered by James Murray - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Barnett formula was applied in the normal way to changes in the English apprenticeships budget at Main Estimates 2025/26 and at Budget 2025, and the resulting consequentials were added to the Northern Ireland Executive’s existing block grant.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to facilitate knowledge transfer from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation experience to UK-based defence SMEs.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since 2024 the MOD has run seven defence trade missions to Ukraine in conjunction with the Trade Association ADS. These have facilitated engagement for UK business of all sizes, but with a particular focus on SMEs, with Ukrainian industry and government. We will continue our support for business and create an enduring presence for UK industry in Kyiv through the establishment of a UK Business Centre, while working to develop capabilities alongside the Ukrainian defence ecosystem.