🤝 Oral Answers to Questions

• Public Services in Northern Ireland:
  • The Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, regularly meets with Northern Ireland Ministers to discuss improving public services.
  • A £245 million transformation fund was allocated over a year ago but remains unspent, leading to concerns about its management.
  • Despite the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme for Government being delayed, Benn hopes it will be agreed soon.
• Health and Nursing Staff Shortages:
  • There are nearly 2,000 nursing staff vacancies in Northern Ireland, raising concerns about safe staffing levels.
  • The UK Government provided an increased budget of £18.2 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive, but it’s up to the Executive to decide how to use these funds.
  • The appointment of Mike Farrar as the head of the Northern Ireland health service was seen as a positive step.
• Sharing Best Practices:
  • The UK Government supports sharing best practices between Northern Ireland and England to improve public services.
  • The social partnership model used in Wales, where government, public sector workers, and unions work collaboratively, was suggested as an example to learn from.
• Health Service Priorities:
  • Stabilising and transforming the health service in Northern Ireland is a top priority, especially given the long waiting times for first consultant appointments.
  • Cross-border healthcare initiatives, like those between Donegal and Derry, were mentioned as examples of potential collaboration.
• Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI):
  • The decision to repeal the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 could lead to significant costs for the PSNI due to reopened inquests and civil cases.
  • The government has provided additional funding to the PSNI, but the exact costs of the repeal are still under speculation.
• Pharmacies in Crisis:
  • Pharmacies in Northern Ireland are facing a crisis, with many struggling financially and cutting services.
  • The National Pharmacy Association has called for an urgent impact assessment on pharmacy underfunding.
• Civil Service Expertise:
  • There are concerns about the level of expertise within the Northern Ireland civil service, highlighted by issues in the Renewable Heat Incentive inquiry.
  • The Northern Ireland civil service’s operations and improvements are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.
• Infrastructure Projects and Legal Delays:
  • Major infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland, like the A5 road, are being delayed by legal challenges related to environmental concerns.
  • The government remains committed to net zero policies, despite these delays.
• Paramilitarism and the Independent Reporting Commission:
  • The Independent Reporting Commission’s report indicates progress but ongoing challenges in tackling paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.
  • A short, independent scoping exercise will assess the feasibility of a formal process for paramilitary group disbandment.
• Horticultural Goods:
  • The government is addressing issues with the supply of horticultural goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, with ongoing meetings and efforts to resolve problems under the Windsor framework.
• Veterinary Medicines:
  • Plans are being developed to ensure Northern Ireland does not run out of veterinary medicines after the grace period ends within the next year.
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement:
  • An SPS agreement with the European Union is seen as vital for smooth agrifood product movements, with the Windsor framework considered an improvement but further negotiations needed.
• Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023:
  • The government plans to replace the Act, which was found to be flawed and unlawful, with primary legislation to reinstate legacy inquests and strengthen the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
• Defence and Ukraine:
  • The Prime Minister announced increased defence spending and reaffirmed support for Ukraine, amid discussions in Washington with President Trump.
  • The UK aims to bridge transatlantic relations and work closely with European allies to ensure security against Russian aggression.
• Energy and Cost of Living:
  • Energy bills are set to increase despite Labour’s pre-election promise to reduce them, causing concern amid the cost of living crisis.
  • Thames Water’s financial situation and the potential need for special administration were discussed.
• Mental Health and Suicide Prevention:
  • Government initiatives are aimed at reducing suicide rates, particularly in regions like the north-west, with recruitment of additional mental health workers and a national suicide prevention strategy.
• Knife Crime:
  • The government introduced a Crime and Policing Bill aimed at halving knife crime, with new powers and stricter penalties for selling dangerous weapons.
• Flood Defence and Infrastructure:
  • The government is investing in flood defences and considering options like the River Thames scheme to protect vulnerable areas.
• Regional Investment:
  • Efforts are being made to support regional growth, including the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and investments in green growth in areas like South Yorkshire.
• Scotch Whisky and Industry Support:
  • Concerns were raised about potential changes to the definition of single malt whisky, which could impact the Scottish whisky industry.
  • The government supports Scotch whisky with budget allocations and efforts to increase exports.
• Defence and Economic Impact:
  • Increased defence spending is expected to support jobs across the UK, particularly in skilled engineering sectors like Barrow and Furness.
• St David’s Day and Green Energy in Wales:
  • The Prime Minister wished a happy St David’s day and welcomed investments in green energy projects in Wales, aimed at achieving 100% green electricity by 2035.
• Grangemouth Refinery:
  • The government committed £200 million to Grangemouth to secure permanent jobs and foster private investment, highlighting its potential for future economic growth.

The level of disagreement displayed during the parliamentary session can be considered moderate, warranting a rating of 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. Here’s a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the score:

1. Disagreement Over Northern Ireland Public Services:
   • Robin Swann expresses frustration over the delay in the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme for Government and the unspent transformation fund. His tone and urgency could be perceived as disagreement with the current progress and management of public services funding. However, the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, responds calmly, indicating a minor disagreement rather than a heated confrontation. The disagreement is rooted in the need for urgency and action but does not escalate to a significant conflict. Example:
     • Robin Swann: “With every party in Northern Ireland clamouring for transformation, and the Secretary of State and his ministerial team calling for transformation of public services, will the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland intervene with the Executive, and tell them to get on with it?”
     • Hilary Benn: “I hope very much that the programme for Government will be agreed as soon as possible; it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, and I look forward to reading it.”
2. Disagreement on Legacy Act:
   • There is some disagreement over the approach to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 between Hilary Benn and Conservative MPs. Benn acknowledges the flaws in the previous act and expresses his intent to repeal and replace it, while Conservative MPs like Sir Desmond Swayne and Mike Wood challenge this decision, questioning the timing and potential consequences. However, these exchanges are more about policy critique than outright hostility, indicating a moderate level of disagreement. Example:
     • Mike Wood: “People throughout the United Kingdom will be disgusted if former terrorists such as Gerry Adams receive compensation from the taxpayer because of Labour’s decision to repeal the legacy Act without putting something in its place. Will the Secretary of State finally commit himself to legislating immediately to prevent that from happening?”
     • Hilary Benn: “I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave a moment ago.”
3. Disagreement Over Paramilitary Transition:
   • There is a clear disagreement over the proposed transition and de-proscription of paramilitary groups. Jim Allister strongly opposes the idea, calling it ‘grotesque’ and questioning the government’s approach. Hilary Benn responds by clarifying the government’s stance and the purpose of the scoping study, showing a difference in perspective but maintaining a respectful discourse. Example:
     • Jim Allister: “After decades of illegal paramilitary organisations taking successive Governments for a ride over transition and pocketing millions of pounds along the way, the Secretary of State now wants to appoint a special envoy—a nursemaid to paramilitaries. When will this pandering come to an end, and is the Secretary of State going to accept the IRC’s grotesque proposal of moving to de-proscription…”
     • Hilary Benn: “…the fact is that 26 years later, people say that the paramilitary organisations should have left the stage…the IRC’s proposal—which I recognise is not supported by everybody—is to inquire whether there are some paramilitary organisations that do actually want to leave the stage, and whether there is merit in having a process that ensures that.”
4. Tone and Engagement:
   • The overall tone of the session remains professional, with most disagreements discussed through structured questioning and responses. While there are clear differences of opinion, these do not escalate into contentious disputes or personal attacks. The disagreements focus on policy approaches and timing rather than fundamental ideological differences.
5. Areas of Consensus:
   • There are also moments of consensus and cooperation within the session, balancing the discord. For instance, the welcoming of the new training facility by the Irish Football Association and the general agreement on supporting Ukraine indicate areas of common ground.

Overall, while there are disagreements, they are articulated in a manner that remains within the norms of parliamentary debate, without intense conflict or significant disruption, leading to a moderate disagreement rating of 2.