Written questions by Campbell.

When he expects to receive the outcome of the Group B Streptococcus trial from the UK National Screening Committee.

Recruitment to the Group B Streptococcus trial undertaken by the University of Nottingham has ended. The researchers are analysing the data and will draft a report in due course.The UK National Screening Committee’s Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.

What estimate she has made of how many full time employees will not be paying income tax when the freeze on personal tax thresholds ends in April 2028.

At the National Minimum Wage rates effective from April 2025 and working 35 hours per week a full-time employee over 21 would earn £22,222.22 –which is above the Personal Allowance of £12,570. Therefore, when the freeze on personal tax thresholds ends in April 2028 a full-time employee earning at least the minimum wage would have pay more than the personal allowance and thus would be expected to pay Income Tax. This government is committed to keeping taxes as low as possible for working people while ensuring fiscal responsibility, which is why it will not extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds, allowing them to rise with inflation the following year.

If she will have discussions with representatives of the travel industry on the potential impact of electronic travel authorisations on international visitors to Northern Ireland.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer provided on 14 January to Question UIN 23002.

Whether she has plans for a comprehensive financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK.

On 21 November 2024, the Government confirmed that it will proceed with creating a new financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. This regime will be in line with the proposals published by HM Treasury in October 2023.

What steps he is taking with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Invest NI to help promote Northern Ireland as an inward investment opportunity during the forthcoming Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush.

Royal Portrush will stage the 153rd Open Golf Championship in 2025, providing another outstanding showcase for golf in Northern Ireland. The 148th Open, held at Royal Portrush nine years ago, became the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of more than £100 million to the region. I have asked my officials to contact Invest NI to discuss this. I would also encourage the Honourable Member to share any suggestions he has to enhance any existing investment promotion with the Department for Business and Trade. The Growth mission is the number one priority of the Government. That is why we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to create a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment, job creation, and higher living standards.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of supplies of Liquefied Natural Gas between January and April 2025.

We are confident that we will attract sufficient supplies of Liquified Natural Gas between January and April 2025. In their 2024/25 Winter Outlook, National Gas, the Gas System Operator, noted that they expect the market to deliver LNG supplies to the UK when needed, evidenced in previous years, as prices shift to attract necessary cargoes. We have seen this occur over the first half of winter 2024/25 and expect this to continue over the second half.

If she will make an estimate of the number of people on the National Living Wage who will become liable for income tax from 6 April 2025.

The department will publish a comprehensive impact assessment on the impacts of the 2025 National Minimum Wage uprating in line with the requirements of the Better Regulation Framework shortly. However, this will not provide an estimate of the number of National Living Wage earners who will become income taxpayers from April 2025.

How many people aged 80 and over are eligible for the additional £260 per year pension.

At the quarter ending May 2024, there were 87,299 people in total claiming a Category D pension, those in the UK and overseas. This is a non-contributory State Pension that is paid to those aged over 80 who have no State Pension or who receive an amount that is less than the Category D rate of £101.55 a week (£105.70 after April 2025). There are also residency conditions that must be met in order to be eligible. Source: DWP Stat-Xplore.

How many people (a) made applications for Pension Credit and (b) were successful between 29 July 2024 and 21 December 2024.

Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, from 1 April 2024 up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK. Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December to Question 16717 on Armed Forces: Cadets, what external organisations other than (a) existing cadets and (b) adult volunteers he is consulting to help expand numbers.

A discussion held in December 2024 canvassed opinion from a wide range of existing cadet advocates, including senior military leaders, Honorary Colonels, Lord Lieutenants, council leaders and representatives from education and academia, as to what activity and governance would be required to enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to expand cadets. Representation included all branches of MOD cadets (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force) as expansion was considered for all. I, myself met with Honorary Colonels before Christmas, and just last week with a leading academic in this field, who led the team who published the University of Northampton study on the social and economic benefit of cadets. We have discussed how to work together to best advocate for our cadets, and I am committed to their expansion.

What recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the cost of developing Casement Park.

Regrettably, given the amount of time wasted by the previous Government, Casement Park could not be built in time for the Euros. The risks of not completing it on time were unacceptably high. While the redevelopment of Casement Park is a devolved policy matter, we are continuing to engage with all partners involved in the project, including the Northern Ireland Executive and the GAA, and assessing the options available.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 14029 on British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024, when the operational changes to implement the new route will be completed.

The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 will come into force on a date that is set out in future regulations made by the Secretary of State, as allowed for by Clause 2(3) of the Act. We continue to work on the operational changes for implementation, and the Home Office will notify interested Members once a prospective timeline for commencement has been agreed.

Which Army Reserve Centres are envisaged to require armed guarding in Northern Ireland after 2028.

Following a review of the guarding of Army Reserve Centres (ARCs) in Northern Ireland, we have concluded that an armed guard for 13 of the 15 ARCs is no longer appropriate to the current threat and does not align with the normalisation of the Army’s presence in Northern Ireland. As such, the Army is working to implement a change, via consultation, to the guarding levels of the identified 13 ARCs from armed guarding to enhanced physical security measures. The safety of personnel remains the top priority, and no sites will transition from armed guarding to physical security measures unless deemed safe to do so and with the necessary infrastructure in place. The initial phase of this work will see the first sites set to transition to the physical security guarding level by September 2025, once infrastructure enhancements are complete, with an intent to complete all sites by 2028. The two sites set to continue with armed guarding are Caw Camp and Dunmore. A briefing to interested parliamentarians will be scheduled shortly to provide further details and to answer any questions about these changes.

If she will have discussions with financial institutions to establish which additional banks will participate in the roll out of banking hubs.

Banking hubs are a voluntary service developed by the financial services sector in the context of legislation to protect access to cash under the Financial Services Act 2023. Their rollout is overseen by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company set up and funded by industry for the purpose of delivering shared access to cash solutions. Membership of Cash Access UK and involvement in banking hubs is voluntary, and it is possible for banks and building societies in scope of the FCA’s access to cash regime to choose to meet their cash access obligations through other methods, for example their branch network. However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Over 175 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the action by the Israeli Air Force on 8 September 2024 in Libya on Hezbollah's armed capability.

Israel has not taken any action against Hezbollah in Libya.

What recent estimate she has made of the change in GDP per capita by 2030.

GDP per capita is projected by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to grow by an annual average of 1.1% over this parliament. The government, as set out in the Plan for Change, is committed to kickstarting economic growth. This will fund our public services, lead to more people in good jobs, higher living standards and productivity growth in every part of the United Kingdom. As set out at the Autumn Budget 2024, through the seven pillars of the growth mission, the Government is restoring stability, increasing investment, and reforming the economy. Growth can only be achieved in partnership with business, so we will develop and deliver these policies together.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the work of Intertrade UK is not affected by trade barriers faced by some GB-based businesses supplying to Northern Ireland-based consumers.

A key focus for Intertrade UK will be to promote the full extent of the UK’s market to businesses and traders and to help to counter any misconceptions businesses and traders in Great Britain may have about providing goods and services in Northern Ireland. I expect to be in a position to announce the full membership of Intertrade UK and the date of the first meeting shortly.

Whether he plans to replace the Advanced Nuclear Fund after March 2025.

The Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) concludes at the end of the current Spending Review Period in March 2025. All future plans for nuclear innovation will be considered as part of multi-year Spending Review. The Government remains committed to nuclear power as a key part of our clean power plans and research and development are a critical part of this commitment.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11832 on the Living Wage, if the Impact Assessment will provide an estimate of the number of national living wage earners who will become income tax payers from April 2025.

The Department produces National Minimum Wage Impact Assessments in line with the requirements of the Better Regulation Framework. Previous Impact Assessments are available via Legislation.gov.uk. The Impact Assessment that will be published alongside the legislation for the 2025 rates will not provide an estimate of the number of National Living Wage earners who will become income tax payers from April 2025.

How many general aviation reports were submitted by region in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.

Home Office records show that approximately 159,768 General Aviation Reports have been submitted nationally in 2023 and 2024.2024North Region -11,413Central Region - 25,691Heathrow Region - 21,298South Region - 16,897South-East Region - 855Total - 76,154 2023North Region -12,237Central Region - 25,689Heathrow Region - 22,403South Region - 17,186South-East Region - 962Total - 78,477