Written questions by Jogee.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the financial support available to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the number of police officers required to travel to Northern Ireland to assist the PSNI in its response to the recent violent disorder.

Awaiting answer.

What recent steps he has taken to improve trade links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with the Home Office about the operation of the Common Travel Area.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has made representations to cabinet colleagues about the potential merits of inviting Ireland to be an associate member of the G20 when the UK assumes the Chair in January 2027.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with the Irish Government about the violence and disorder that took place in Belfast in June 2026.

Following the disorder I spoke with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee on the evening of 9 June and the Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan on the evening of 10 June. I regularly engage with Irish Government Ministers on a variety of ...

What most recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer to the Urgent Question on 10 June about the recent disorder in Northern Ireland. The scenes which we saw of people being burned out of their homes because of the colour of their skin are chilling and have no place in No...

Whether he has provided support to the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure that people who lost their homes as a result of the violence and disorder in Belfast are rehoused.

The scenes of disorder witnessed recently damaged communities and put innocent lives at risk. There is no justification at all for this type of racist thuggery and there is no place for it in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)...

What discussions he has had with the political parties of Northern Ireland about the violence and disorder that has taken place in Belfast.

I met with the leaders of the main Northern Ireland political parties on Thursday 11 June to discuss the horrendous knife attack in North Belfast and the subsequent disorder. I welcome that they have all condemned the violence we saw in the strongest of t...

What steps he plans to take with the Northern Ireland Executive to help tackle the potential impact of the a) attempted murder in North Belfast and b) the subsequent violence and disorder on the young pe

It is vital that we work together with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our communities across the United Kingdom. I meet regularly with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers to discuss a range of priority issues, in...

What discussions he has had with political parties in Northern Ireland on the a) knife attack on Monday 8 June and b) violence and disorder on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June 2026.

I met with the leaders of the main Northern Ireland political parties on Thursday, 11 June to discuss the knife attack in North Belfast and the subsequent disorder. I welcome that they have all condemned the violence witnessed last week in the strongest o...

What discussions a) Ministers and b) officials in his Department have had with the Soft Power Council.

Since the Soft Power Council was established in January 2025, it has met four times. Information about the Soft Power Council and its meetings is available on GOV.UK, including meeting dates, terms of reference, and abridged minutes of discussions.

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the safety of women and girls in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State and I regularly meet with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers to discuss a range of priority issues in Northern Ireland, this has included discussions on working together to tackle violence against women and girls. I welcome the Ex...

What most recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer to the Urgent Question on 27 April about the recent attacks on two police stations. Those responsible for these shameless and cowardly attempts to kill and injure must be brought to justice and I urge anyone with information to come forward. The Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) threat level remains SUBSTANTIAL which means an attack is likely. The PSNI and UK security agencies continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response. The attempted attacks in recent weeks will be considered as part of that ongoing assessment.

What engagement he has had with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland following the events that took place on Saturday 25th April 2026.

I pay tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, led by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, and our security partners in countering the threat from terrorism in Northern Ireland. My officials were in contact with the PSNI in the immediate aftermath of the despicable attack claimed by the New IRA, on Dunmurry Police Station. I regularly meet the Chief Constable and his senior officers to discuss a range of issues and will continue to do so. I met senior PSNI officers on 28 April 2026 to be briefed on the attacks.

What steps he is taking to support the Northern Ireland Executive with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Northern Ireland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have regular discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Communities Minister, on a range of priorities. Northern Ireland Office officials have engaged directly with Comhaltas on the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast this summer. The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland. As one of only three UK cities with UNESCO City of Music status, I am delighted that Belfast will host the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture. This event will attract global visitors, providing a chance for the city to showcase its rich and diverse cultural offering. The decision by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann back to Belfast in 2027 is also very welcome news.

Whether he has had discussions with the Minister for Communities in the Northern Ireland Executive on Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann being held in Belfast.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have regular discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Communities Minister, on a range of priorities. Northern Ireland Office officials have engaged directly with Comhaltas on the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast this summer. The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland. As one of only three UK cities with UNESCO City of Music status, I am delighted that Belfast will host the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture. This event will attract global visitors, providing a chance for the city to showcase its rich and diverse cultural offering. The decision by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann back to Belfast in 2027 is also very welcome news.

What discussions he has had with cabinet colleagues about the potential impact on the a) effectiveness and b) future of the Common Travel Area between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland of the insistence of airlines that passengers travelling between both countries now require valid passports.

The Common Travel Area is a long-standing successful arrangement. In the UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement, the Prime Minister and Taoiseach committed to working together to protect the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area. It is the case that many air and sea carriers require some form of identification in order to use their services and some carriers regard a passport as the only valid form of identification.

What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Northern Ireland on the environmental priorities of the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have regular discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive, including the First Minister and deputy First Minister, on a wide range of priorities. The environment is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and the responsibility of the Executive’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Northern Ireland on the trade priorities of the Northern Ireland Executive.

I meet regularly with the First Minister and deputy First Minister to discuss a range of issues, including trade. I also chaired the East-West Council on 22 January 2026, attended by both the First Minister and deputy First Minister, which included a discussion of the £16.6 million provided to Northern Ireland via the Internal Market Package, to support East-West trade; and, an update on the work of Intertrade UK and the £2.25 million funding it received in the budget.