Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) exemptions of (b) alternative arrangements for the digital ID system will be offered to people resident in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
We will design this system to ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so easily and securely.
We have already prioritised meetings with senior figures in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government to ensure any new systems work for people on both sides of the border in line with the Good Friday Agreement and Common Travel Area.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there will be an option for company directors to (a) defer or (b) opt out of enrolment of the digital ID system.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
There will be no requirement to enrol in Digital ID.
Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks by the end of this Parliament.
There is a requirement upon directors and individuals with significant control over companies to prove their identity with Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This is currently voluntary but will be mandatory from 18 November 2025.
This requirement is not connected to the introduction of the Digital ID.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact the digital ID system on (a) business operations, (b) online security and (c) personal privacy in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The government will launch a public consultation on the design of the new digital ID, and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations. Stakeholder and public views, including those in feedback to future consultation, will inform ongoing policy development and assessments of impacts.
We will design this system to help ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so more easily and securely. We will ensure our commitments in the Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the Common Travel Area are respected.
People’s privacy and data will be protected using the most advanced security and encryption, just like banking apps. We will be following best practices for creating a secure digital service and the new digital identity will be designed in accordance with high standards of security and privacy. The scheme will have robust cyber security and resilience safeguards, and it will comply with all the applicable data protection requirements.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department will engage in public consultation prior to the rollout of the digital ID system.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
We have committed to a public consultation, and work is already underway to engage with key stakeholder groups. We will work closely with employers, trade unions, civil society groups and other stakeholders, to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible..
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of extending the Armed Forces Covenant Duty on the work of his Department.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The extension of the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty will require the Cabinet Office to have due regard to the principles of the Covenant across a wide range of new policy areas. A full assessment of the impact of the extension on the Cabinet Office will take place once the necessary legislation is progressing through Parliament.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for establishing the Ethics and Integrity Commission.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 31 July 2024, Official Report, PQ 1251.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of the proposed Hillsborough Law on public services in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
As the Prime Minister announced recently, the Hillsborough Law is a priority for this Government. Discussions have already begun between officials in the Cabinet Office and those in the devolved governments. I will continue to ensure that Ministerial colleagues in the devolved governments are engaged on this policy.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) claims under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme can be inherited by the families of deceased claimants and (b) people who are unable to receive their payments due to health issues do not lose their right to compensation upon passing.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Where a person who would have been eligible to apply to the Scheme as an infected person has tragically died, the personal representatives of the deceased person’s estate can apply for compensation on behalf of the estate of the deceased infected person. Where compensation is payable to someone who lacks capacity, including due to health issues, the award will be paid to the person with power of attorney or other legal authority to act on the person’s behalf. In both cases, the acting representative must make the application to the Scheme. In line with the Inquiry’s recommendation, where an affected person has died it is not possible for the personal representatives of their estate to apply for compensation.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to expedite the payment process for (a) elderly and (b) vulnerable people eligible for compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Infected Blood Compensation Authority is responsible for making payments to those eligible under the scheme, and they are carefully considering all options around payments, including the prioritisation of any payments. For those who are infected, the Government expects the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to begin making payments before the end of 2024. The Authority is working on developing a service that balances speed with ease of use.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to support the provision of (a) legal advice and (b) advocacy services to potential claimants under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Infected Blood Compensation Authority will aim to ensure that appropriate advice and support is available to assist people with managing their compensation awards, accessing financial services, and accessing benefits advice where relevant. Sir Robert Francis KC recommended in his report that legal support is available to people who want to claim compensation. The Government accepted this recommendation and is working with IBCA to develop a package of support services.