Written questions by Allister.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the readiness of (a) veterinary practices and (b) farm businesses in Northern Ireland for changes to regulations on veterinary medicines.

We continue to engage extensively with industry stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with continued availability of veterinary medicines beyond the grace period. This includes engagement with veterinary and farmer associations and businesses. The Government has also issued extensive guidance and intends to publish several webinars shortly. This guidance provides information to help veterinary practices and farm businesses prepare.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide real-time operational guidance to veterinary practices and Suitably Qualified Persons in Northern Ireland on product availability changes after 31 December 2025.

Guidance was published in June and recently updated reflecting industry feedback; the updated guidance that was published included specific references to vets and suitably qualified persons.

What steps the Government is taking through the UK Life Sciences Industrial Strategy to prevent incentives or regulatory reforms from enabling large pharmaceutical companies to increase medicine prices; and whether the Government will publish an impact assessment of how current industry pricing behaviours influence NHS drug costs and UK supply-chain resilience.

The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) controls the cost of sales of branded medicines to the National Health Service. The VPAG has a variable headline payment percentage, which accounts for changes to the cost of medicine sales to the NHS. The VPAG also contains a mechanism for allowing price increases for specific medicines. No scheme member may increase the NHS list price of any medicine without the Department’s prior approval.Investing in the newest medicines so that patients can get access to life saving treatments is a critical part of a modern health care system and one that many charities and patient groups frequently call for. As part of our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we've committed to working with industry to accelerate growth in net spend on innovative medicines compared to the previous decade.The resilience of United Kingdom supply chains is a key priority, and the Department and NHS England are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. We are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and strengthen our resilience. As part of that work, we continue to engage with industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and other colleagues across the supply chain as we progress work to co-design and deliver solutions. However, medicine shortages are a complex and global issue and everyone in the supply chain has a role to play in addressing them, with any action requiring a collaborative approach.

What assessment his Department has made of how major pharmaceutical companies’ pricing strategies affect the VPAG’s ability to control NHS spending; and what steps are being taken to prevent higher drug costs.

The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) controls the cost of sales of branded medicines to the National Health Service. The VPAG has a variable headline payment percentage, which accounts for changes to the cost of medicine sales to the NHS. The VPAG also contains a mechanism for allowing price increases for specific medicines. No scheme member may increase the NHS list price of any medicine without the Department’s prior approval.Investing in the newest medicines so that patients can get access to life saving treatments is a critical part of a modern health care system and one that many charities and patient groups frequently call for. As part of our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we've committed to working with industry to accelerate growth in net spend on innovative medicines compared to the previous decade.The resilience of United Kingdom supply chains is a key priority, and the Department and NHS England are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. We are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and strengthen our resilience. As part of that work, we continue to engage with industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and other colleagues across the supply chain as we progress work to co-design and deliver solutions. However, medicine shortages are a complex and global issue and everyone in the supply chain has a role to play in addressing them, with any action requiring a collaborative approach.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of high launch prices set by major pharmaceutical firms on NICE’s cost-effectiveness assessments; and what steps are being taken to prevent such pricing from restricting patient access to new treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether all new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines in line with NICE’s recommendations, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. NICE’s process ensures that new licensed medicines will only be routinely funded by the NHS where the evidence demonstrates that their costs are justified by the benefits that they bring for NHS patients. As part of NICE’s appraisal process, companies are able to propose patient access schemes to improve their value proposition with the aim of securing a positive NICE recommendation. NICE is able to recommend the vast majority of the medicines that it appraises, with 91% of medicines recommended for the NHS use in the last year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that pet owners in Northern Ireland do not have (a) increased costs and (b) reduced access to medicines after 31 December 2025.

The Government appreciates that affordability and accessibility to obtain veterinary medicines for pet owners is of great importance. The Government also understand that online retailers may offer more affordable options. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has heard positive news from several pharmaceutical companies on their commitments not to raise prices. Also, through extensive engagement, VMD is aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. VMD is also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present. In addition, the Government remains confident in its assessment that the vast majority of veterinary medicines will continue to be supplied and that the schemes can address supply gaps if they emerge.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of delaying until close to 31 December 2025 the issuance of operational guidance on changes to the supply of veterinary medicines from 1 January 2026 to (a) veterinary practices and (b) suitably qualified persons in Northern Ireland on their ability to adequately prepare for the changes.

There has been no delay in the issuance of operational guidance. Guidance was published in June and updated in October and November. Updated guidance also includes specific references to vets and suitably qualified persons. In addition, we continue to engage extensively with stakeholders across the sector, including those representing vets and suitably qualified persons. The two schemes will take effect from 1 January 2026; we will monitor their effectiveness and consider further reviews if needed. We remain confident that the schemes can address supply gaps if they emerge.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide advance notification to (a) veterinary practices and (b) farm businesses in Northern Ireland of changes to the availability of veterinary medicines.

Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a government priority and we continue to engage extensively with industry stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with the availability of veterinary medicines beyond the grace period, including through the Veterinary Medicines Working Group (which includes industry bodies and experts), in person in Northern Ireland and through meetings with industry bodies and businesses across the sector, including vets and farming businesses. Where it concerns key industry bodies, such as the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association, my officials have regular meetings and will continue to do so until into the new year. We have also published extensive guidance. This guidance again targets the full breadth of the sector, including specific information for farmers and vets. In addition, we will publish webinars later this month, for which we are currently collecting questions via an online forum. We intend to provide further information on products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme next month.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's news story entitled Veterinary medicine supply in Northern Ireland beyond 2025, updated on 13 November 2025, how many veterinary medicine products are expected to be (a) withdrawn and (b) altered in Northern Ireland after 31 December 2025.

Many businesses have already taken the steps to make the required adjustments so we are confident that the disruption to veterinary medicines supply will be limited.After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that between 10-15% of authorised products that are currently supplied will be discontinued. However, most of these discontinued products are not currently sold in Northern Ireland or are generics with multiple alternatives available. We have identified fewer than 20 products where discontinuation would pose significant risks to animal health and welfare if these risks were not addressed; the two schemes that we are introducing will serve to address those risks. Although these figures may change as pharmaceutical companies take steps to adjust before the end of the year, we are not expecting to see a significant change and continue to monitor the situation closely.

Food and Rural Affairs, what arrangements will be in place to ensure cross-departmental decision-making between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Office in the implementation of the (a) Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and (b) Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme after 1 January 2026.

Cross-departmental decision-making arrangements are an internal Government matter. There is extensive cross-departmental engagement on this matter, including at official and ministerial level - and both within the UK Government and with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). In addition, DAERA is included in the Veterinary Medicines Working Group. This engagement also concerns the implementation of the two schemes, and the Government is confident that they will be delivered by 1 January.

How many people released through the early release scheme in Northern Ireland were foreign nationals.

Justice, including the management of offenders and prisons, is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The Ministry of Justice does not hold data relating to the release of prisoners in Northern Ireland and the honourable Member would have to contact the Northern Ireland Executive for this information.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Northern Ireland veterinary medicines divergence from Great Britain after 31 December 2025 on the competitiveness of farm businesses in Northern Ireland.

In accordance with the Windsor Framework, EU legislation in relation to veterinary medicines applies in Northern Ireland to maintain Northern Ireland’s dual market access. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes, or multiple alternatives remain available. We therefore do not anticipate significant impacts on animal health or welfare issues because of these discontinuations. Furthermore, we have seen from several pharmaceutical companies that they have made commitments not to increase prices as a direct result of the supply changes they are making or have already made. Our assessment therefore is that we do not expect an overall negative effect on the competitiveness of farm businesses in Northern Ireland, but we are not complacent and will continue intensive engagement with industry and stakeholders to identify and resolve issues where they arise.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to veterinary medicines supply routes on the ability of pet owners in Northern Ireland to fill veterinary prescriptions from online veterinary pharmacies, in the context of the online pharmacies delivering veterinary medicines being located in Great Britain.

We appreciate that there may be specific issues of concern and that access to an online retailer for pet owners to obtain veterinary medicines for their pets is of great importance. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present. Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) are unique to the UK, and the Government is committed to supporting them and the vital role they play in supporting the UK’s farming and companion animal sectors. Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a Government priority. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes and we do not anticipate significant animal health or welfare issues as a result of these discontinuations. Our data suggests that the level of discontinuations for products that can be prescribed by SQPs is in line with that overall estimate. Where there is, or likely to be, a significant animal health issue, and it is appropriate to do so, products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme could be made available for prescription and supply by SQPs. More broadly, the rules for supply by SQPs will not change from 1 January.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that veterinary medicine supply via Suitably Qualified Persons will continue to apply in Northern Ireland in the same was as the wider UK from 1 January 2026.

We appreciate that there may be specific issues of concern and that access to an online retailer for pet owners to obtain veterinary medicines for their pets is of great importance. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present. Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) are unique to the UK, and the Government is committed to supporting them and the vital role they play in supporting the UK’s farming and companion animal sectors. Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a Government priority. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes and we do not anticipate significant animal health or welfare issues as a result of these discontinuations. Our data suggests that the level of discontinuations for products that can be prescribed by SQPs is in line with that overall estimate. Where there is, or likely to be, a significant animal health issue, and it is appropriate to do so, products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme could be made available for prescription and supply by SQPs. More broadly, the rules for supply by SQPs will not change from 1 January.

Innovation and Technology, whether Northern Ireland will be subject to the EU's AI legislation or the UK's AI legislation.

The UK is committed to a proportionate AI regulatory approach which is grounded in science and supports growth and innovation.As we develop our approach to AI, we recognise the need to engage with a range of stakeholders. This includes engaging with the EU, and other international partners, to discuss our respective regulatory approaches and ensure they are effective.The European Council has published its proposal for a decision to apply the EU AI Act to a limited extent in Northern Ireland under Article 13(4) of the Windsor Framework. The Act would only apply following an agreement at a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, which will be subject to the mechanisms in Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The EU AI Act is complex and requires further dialogue and consideration as to its interaction with the Windsor Framework. The UK Government is assessing the proposal and will continue to engage closely with the EU on it.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department will assess the potential impacts of the (a) Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and (b) Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme on the agri-food supply chain in Northern Ireland during the first year of implementation.

We are confident in the two schemes being introduced by the Government and will continue to closely monitor the situation over the upcoming year and beyond. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current assessment is that there will be minimal disruptions to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and the agri-food supply chain will continue as it is now. The two schemes will take effect from 1 January, and we will monitor their effectiveness.

With reference to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January - 30 June 2025, whether the more than 80% of all freight movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland referred to took place under the UK internal market system, in line with page 15 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, as distinct from whether more than 80% of all freight movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland by value moved without paying any duty, and (b) what was the figure.

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025. Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework. Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much the US was charged for the use of Diego Garcia as a military base for each of the last five financial years.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to question 81887 on 22 October.

With reference to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January - 30 June 2025, what proportion of the 96% movements by value moved without the payment of a duty (a) were made in compliance with (i) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1128 of 24 March 2023 and (ii) Regulation (EU) 2023/1231 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 and (b) were made under the full EU Customs Code, Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013.

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025. Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework. Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

With respect to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January to 30 June 2025, whether the 4% of movements that paid duty relates to all movements that involved the payment of duties or just those movements that involved the payment of duties and had not sought reimbursement under the duty reimbursement scheme.

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025. Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework. Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.