The Government is committed to ensuring greater connectivity and economic integration between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Secretary of State for Transport has already met with John O\u2019Dowd MLA, Minister for Infrastructure, to discuss shared transport priorities, given that transport policy is largely devolved. By working together, both governments can encourage economic growth, deliver integrated transport networks, promote social mobility, and tackle regional inequalities by improving connectivity across the whole of the UK.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-28T10:57:27.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Transport: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on steps to improve Northern Ireland\u2019s transport connectivity with the rest of the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4857", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carla Lockhart"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carla Lockhart"} ], "uin" : "10517"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735730", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735730/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Independent Monitoring Panel will report every six months to the Government on the basis set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The support arrangements for the Panel are in the process of being put in place presently, as set out in my answer to question 9532.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-28T11:05:04.51Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Windsor Framework"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 9532, when the Independent Monitoring Panel will make its first report.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4613", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Burghart"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brentwood and Ongar"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Burghart"} ], "uin" : "10116"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735912", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735912/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Windsor Framework secures the long-term stability of medicines supply to Northern Ireland, ensuring that medicines will be available in the same packaging and with a single licence across the UK, reflecting the long standing preference of industry.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> The Government continues to work closely with industry to support readiness for the implementation of these arrangements from 1 January 2025 and ensure there is no disruption. Transitional measures are also available to support companies, such as the temporary use of stickers and the arrangement that all medicines that are on the market before 1 January 2025 can continue to be supplied in existing packaging.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-24T09:37:28.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Drugs: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government are taking to ensure the continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland, in the context of the implementation of the Windsor Framework.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5319", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Antrim"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robin Swann"}
], "uin" : "10344"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735943", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735943/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The UK Government welcomes the launch of the Strategic Framework to End Violence against Women and Girls by The Northern Ireland Executive. This Government is seeking to tackle violence against women and girls across the United Kingdom and will support the NI Executive to implement and deliver this strategic framework fully.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-28T15:55:29.047Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gender Based Violence: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to tackle violence against women in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the Strategy for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5262", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Down"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Easton"}
], "uin" : "10375"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735377", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735377/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " There is no obligation to publish details of the requests the government receives for public inquiries. I do not intend to do so, especially as there are victims, survivors and families at the heart of those requests, who should be treated with respect and confidentiality.<\/p> I have written directly to those whose requests I have recently considered. Further requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-23T13:12:21.25Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Terrorism: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October to Question 8847 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, for what reason he will not publish the details of these requests.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4613", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Burghart"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brentwood and Ongar"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Burghart"}
], "uin" : "9932"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735495", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735495/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As set out in the third written ministerial update on New Decade, New Approach, tabled by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 26 April 2023, the previous Government concluded that there was no viable delivery route for the Homecoming programme that met key requirements of regularity, propriety, value for money and feasibility.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4508", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-23T15:01:40.137Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cultural Heritage: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made to establish a Homecoming project to strengthen links and relationships with the Northern Ireland diaspora and alumni across the world, as detailed in the New Decade, New Approach Deal of 2020.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee"}
], "uin" : "HL1764"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735226", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735226/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The total number of people by full-time equivalent hours (FTE) at 30 September 2024 is 159.96, which is 165 headcount; 86 members of staff are based in the Belfast office and 79 are based in the London office.<\/p> There are 121 bookable desks available in total across both offices. There are 59 desks in the London open plan area and 62 desks in Belfast open plan area available for booking. This figure does not cover Ministerial Offices or other business areas not covered by the booking system.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-24T10:43:56.833Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office: Civil Servants"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many civil servants are assigned to work in each of his Department's offices; and how many desks are available for staff to work in that individual office.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5101", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgwater"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Ashley Fox"}
], "uin" : "9822"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735228", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735228/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Northern Ireland Office employs a desk booking system (Matrix) to monitor desk occupancy. Staff can book desks in advance of their intended attendance, or the same day. The following data was gathered from Monday 23 September until Friday 18 October 2024 and relates to the open plan areas in London and Belfast which use the desk booking system. There are 59 desks in the London open plan area and 62 desks in Belfast open plan area available for booking. The information below does not cover Ministerial Offices and other business areas not covered by the booking system.<\/p> <\/p><\/td> London Average Daily Occupancy<\/strong><\/p><\/td> London Average Daily Staff Attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Belfast Average Daily Occupancy<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Belfast Average Daily Staff Attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> w/c 23 September 2024<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 47%<\/p><\/td> 28<\/p><\/td> 64%<\/p><\/td> 40<\/p><\/td><\/tr> w/c 30 September 2024<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 52%<\/p><\/td> 31<\/p><\/td> 61%<\/p><\/td> 38<\/p><\/td><\/tr> w/c 7 October 2024<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 52%<\/p><\/td> 31<\/p><\/td> 60%<\/p><\/td> 38<\/p><\/td><\/tr> w/c 14 October 2024<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 54%<\/p><\/td> 32<\/p><\/td> 66%<\/p><\/td> 41<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Since the dissolution of the last Parliament on 30 May 2024, one three-seater office sofa for the Ministerial Office was purchased at a cost of £811.14.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-24T10:44:54.023Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office: Ministers' Private Offices"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department since the dissolution of the last Parliament; and on what items this was spent.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5101", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgwater"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Ashley Fox"}
], "uin" : "9824"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735292", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735292/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 recognises Northern Ireland's rich diversity of identity and language, and benefits both Irish language speakers and those from the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition. The Government continues to work with the Executive on the implementation of the Act.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4508", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-23T15:01:53.31Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Castlereagh Foundation"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in establishing the Castlereagh Foundation provided for in section 8 of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4581", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Caine"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Caine"}
], "uin" : "HL1707"}
], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Northern+Ireland&_page=1&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-07-10T11%3A29%3A14.49Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 1580, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]}
}
<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/413", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hilary Benn"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Hilary Benn"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-24T10:49:09.313Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office: Buildings"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many and what proportion of desks were occupied in each of his Department\u2019s offices in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available; and how many staff attended each office in person in the same period.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5101", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgwater"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Ashley Fox"}
], "uin" : "9823"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735229", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1735229/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "