Written questions by Allister.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of applying the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 other than Articles 103-107 and 109 to Northern Ireland compared with equivalent businesses in Great Britain.

The UK is committed to establishing a proportionate Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulatory approach which is grounded in science and supports growth and innovation.As we develop our approach to regulating AI, we recognise the need to engage with a range of stakeholders. This includes engaging with the European Union (EU) and other international partners to discuss our respective policy and regulatory approaches.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.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant industry bodies in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of the UK on the potential application the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 apart from Articles 103-107 and 109 to Northern Ireland.

The UK is committed to establishing a proportionate Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulatory approach which is grounded in science and supports growth and innovation.As we develop our approach to regulating AI, we recognise the need to engage with a range of stakeholders. This includes engaging with the European Union (EU) and other international partners to discuss our respective policy and regulatory approaches.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.

For what reason graduates of UK medical schools are being given placeholder positions with four to eight weeks’ notice to move to new roles.

Some United Kingdom foundation programme applicants, including some final year UK medical students, have been assigned a placeholder in their allocated foundation school while their foundation posts can be confirmed. The process of confirming posts can take some time, as it is necessary to ensure that all placements are of adequate educational quality and meet the curriculum requirements for foundation training. All eligible applicants who are allocated to a foundation school are guaranteed a place on the programme.NHS England has committed to communicating with the applicants in placeholders, and foundation schools have also been in regular contact with them. Each foundation school has provided specific communications relating to their processes, and have hosted a series of webinars or, where possible, spoken to each of the applicants individually. National webinars for affected applicants are also taking place in April and May.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of prioritising UK medical school graduates' preference informed allocation over international medical graduates.

NHS England keeps the selection process for foundation training under review to make sure it works well for applicants.Internationally educated staff remain an important part of the workforce, and our Code of Practice for International Recruitment ensures stringent ethical standards when recruiting health and social care staff from overseas. However, the Government is also committed to growing homegrown talent and giving opportunities to more people across the country to join our National Health Service.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2025 to Question 19620 on Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland, what the value of the Barnett consequential for 2025-26 to (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland is for the purpose of providing funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy; and when that payment will be made.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy.The devolved governments will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.  The outcome of the Barnett formula will be confirmed, and funding provided for all devolved governments at Main Estimates 2025-26.The devolved governments’ Phase 1 Spending Review 2025 settlements are growing in real terms in 2025-26 and are the largest spending review settlements in real terms of any settlements since devolution. The devolved governments are each receiving at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £16 billion more in 2025-26.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2024 to Question 10214 on Crafts: Northern Ireland, whether the Government has made a decision on the vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly on the applicability motion in relation to EU Regulation 2023/2411 on 19 March 2024.

As set out in my response to your question of October 2024, the Government continues to evaluate the implications of Regulation 2023/2411, reflecting the applicability motion vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the conditions set out in Schedule 6B of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many people in his Department are working on the implementation of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024.

There are approximately 20 Full Time Equivalents working closely with DAERA officials to implement obligations under the Windsor Framework.

With reference to the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, CP1021, what the (a) budget and (b) number of staff is that has been allocated to the Independent Monitoring Committee for its first year of operations.

The Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel consists of independent experts who have been appointed in accordance with the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The Panel will report to the UK Government bi-yearly and on the basis set out in the command paper. As part of this, I refer the Hon Gentleman to my Written Ministerial Statement (UIN HCWS463) of 24 February 2025. Panellists are not employees of the UK Government and do not receive remuneration for this role. A Secretariat is provided by the UK Government to the Panel in accordance with paragraph 160 of the command paper.

With reference to paragraph 158 of his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, if he will make an assessment of how the membership of the Independent Monitoring Panel reflects the (a) political and (b) economic criteria set out in that paragraph.

The Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel consists of independent experts who have been appointed in accordance with the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The Panel will report to the UK Government bi-yearly and on the basis set out in the command paper. As part of this, I refer the Hon Gentleman to my Written Ministerial Statement (UIN HCWS463) of 24 February 2025. Panellists are not employees of the UK Government and do not receive remuneration for this role. A Secretariat is provided by the UK Government to the Panel in accordance with paragraph 160 of the command paper.

With reference to the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, what steps he has taken to ensure the Independent Monitoring Committee is independent from Government.

The Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel consists of independent experts who have been appointed in accordance with the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The Panel will report to the UK Government bi-yearly and on the basis set out in the command paper. As part of this, I refer the Hon Gentleman to my Written Ministerial Statement (UIN HCWS463) of 24 February 2025. Panellists are not employees of the UK Government and do not receive remuneration for this role. A Secretariat is provided by the UK Government to the Panel in accordance with paragraph 160 of the command paper.

With reference to paragraph 159 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, CP 1021, how often the Independent Monitoring Panel will report on the delivery of the Windsor Framework against the four tests.

The Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel consists of independent experts who have been appointed in accordance with the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The Panel will report to the UK Government bi-yearly and on the basis set out in the command paper. As part of this, I refer the Hon Gentleman to my Written Ministerial Statement (UIN HCWS463) of 24 February 2025. Panellists are not employees of the UK Government and do not receive remuneration for this role. A Secretariat is provided by the UK Government to the Panel in accordance with paragraph 160 of the command paper.

With reference to the Answer of 22 February 2023 to Question 146816 on Northern Ireland Protocol and Trader Support Service: Costs, what the cost to the public purse was of (a) Trader Support Services operations, (b) Movement Assistance Scheme operations and (c) the Digital Assistance Scheme between August 2020 and February 2025.

The Government is committed to supporting industry in moving goods smoothly between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including through the use of schemes such as the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) and the Trader Support Service (TSS). The costs of the MAS, TSS, and Digital Assistance Scheme (DAS) are set out below: FY 2020/21FY2021/22FY2022/23FY2023/24FY2024/25MAS£3.53 million£9.78 million£8.75 million£9.64 million£8.30 million (up to 30/01/2025)TSS£100.62 million£148.80 million£114.68 million£105.19 million£73.18 million (up to 30/01/2025)DAS£3.45 million£13.73 million£16.6 million£18.4 million£15.2 million (up to 28/02/2025)

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2024 to Question HL2323 on Import Controls: Northern Ireland, what recent progress he has made on the construction of those border control posts; and what recent estimate he has made of when the construction of those posts will be completed.

In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities are under construction in Northern Ireland at the ports of Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint. Preparations are well underway, and they will be operationally ready by July 2025. The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £70.7 million up to the 28 February 2025, the latest data currently available.

Food and Rural Affairs, where in Northern Ireland border control posts have (a) been and (b) are being constructed for the purpose of complying with the Windsor Framework.

In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities are under construction in Northern Ireland at the ports of Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint. Preparations are well underway, and they will be operationally ready by July 2025. The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £70.7 million up to the 28 February 2025, the latest data currently available.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2024 to Question HL2323 on Import Controls: Northern Ireland, how much and what proportion of the funding allocated to the construction of those posts has been disbursed as of 11 March 2025.

In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities are under construction in Northern Ireland at the ports of Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint. Preparations are well underway, and they will be operationally ready by July 2025. The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £70.7 million up to the 28 February 2025, the latest data currently available.

If he will initiate a judicial review against the findings of the Clonoe inquest.

The Ministry of Defence has carefully considered the findings of the Clonoe inquest. I can confirm that we have written to the Coroner outlining our intent to initiate judicial review proceedings.

If he will publish the dates of meetings of the Veterinary Medicine Working Group.

The Veterinary Medicines Working Group consists of political and industry representatives and veterinary experts and plays a critical role in advising the Government on its plans to safeguard the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland. The Government re-established the Working Group shortly after the elections and it has met twice so far (on 11 September and 21 November) with a third meeting scheduled for 4 March.

What recent estimate he has made of when Intertrade UK will commence operations.

Intertrade UK is a non-statutory advisory body that supports the East-West Council (EWC) in promoting all internal UK trade, made up of a Chair and six dedicated experts. The roles are unremunerated, but a Secretariat function will be provided by the Northern Ireland Office, with dedicated policy support provided by other Government Departments as required.The work programme and budget for Intertrade UK are under development, and will ensure value for money.Since the announcement of Baroness Foster as Chair of Intertrade UK in September 2024, preparatory work has been continuing in advance of the first meeting, the date of which will be confirmed soon.

Whether Intertrade UK will have a board; and how many full-time staff it will have.

Intertrade UK is a non-statutory advisory body that supports the East-West Council (EWC) in promoting all internal UK trade, made up of a Chair and six dedicated experts. The roles are unremunerated, but a Secretariat function will be provided by the Northern Ireland Office, with dedicated policy support provided by other Government Departments as required.The work programme and budget for Intertrade UK are under development, and will ensure value for money.Since the announcement of Baroness Foster as Chair of Intertrade UK in September 2024, preparatory work has been continuing in advance of the first meeting, the date of which will be confirmed soon.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 22858 on Trade Agreements, how goods produced in Northern Ireland using inputs that entered Great Britain under the terms of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and were, when moved to Northern Ireland, deemed under the Windsor Framework to be at risk of entering the Republic of Ireland, will be subject to cumulation in relation to those inputs in the context of the relevant rules of origin for onward sale.

CPTPP originating inputs imported to Great Britain under CPTPP (from a country which has ratified UK accession) and moved to Northern Ireland retain their originating status, even if deemed at risk of entering the European Union under the Windsor Framework, as long as the inputs remain in the UK. Northern Ireland businesses may be able to cumulate these inputs in their goods exported under CPTPP to a country which has ratified UK accession, potentially helping them to meet the Rules of Origin.