Written questions by Swann.

Pursuant to WPQ 126941, answered on the 20th April 2026 at 14:14; to detail any direct intervention on behalf of consumers they have had with suppliers or stakeholders from Northern Ireland.

In enforcing compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (“the Code”), the GCA aims to ensure that large supermarkets do not impose excessive risks and unexpected costs on their direct suppliers which would adversely affect competition and, ultimately, consumers. It is not the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) to intervene directly on consumer matters. The GCA publishes an Annual Report and Accounts which sets out its priorities and performance.

What role the Grocery Code Adjudicator has in Northern Ireland.

The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) ensures the UK’s largest grocery retailers comply with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (Groceries Code). The Groceries Code is a competition measure owned by the independent Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).  Competition policy is a UK reserved matter. The GCA operates across the whole of the United Kingdom and regularly engages with Northern Irish suppliers and stakeholders.

Whether he has had discussions with the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland on the inclusion of businesses in Northern Ireland in UK Government trade talks with Israel.

The UK Government is responsible for negotiating international trade agreements on behalf of all the nations and regions in the UK. DBT understands that the devolved governments have a significant interest in international trade policy and works closely with them to deliver policy that reflects the interests of all parts of the UK. The UK Government, however, suspended trade negotiations with Israel on 20th May, owing to the actions of this Israeli Government in Gaza and the West Bank. It will take a sustained shift in the positions of this Israeli government for the UK to consider restarting the FTA negotiations.

What recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness (b) adequacy and (c) efficiency of the performance of the Motor Ombudsman in carrying out its functions.

The Motor Ombudsman is a non-statutory ombudsman, set up as a voluntary scheme by the industry and independent of government.The Motor Ombudsman's activities are documented in their annual reports, complying with the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015. These reports are accessible on its website.DBT funds the Chartered Trading Standards Institute who accredit and regularly audit The Motor Ombudsman against key principles including neutrality and effective complaints handling under a voluntary framework in the 2015 ADR Regulations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 68868 on Companies: Economic Crime, of the businesses dissolved, how many had five or more registered at one address.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 70 addresses where 5 or more companies were dissolved in Northern Ireland. This impacted a total of 852 companies.A further 3,000 companies were located at the Companies House default address at the time of their dissolution during this period.

When his Department will launch the consultation on Hughs Law.

A public consultation on further support for parents of seriously ill children, including Hugh's Law, will take place during 2026.

How many companies with addresses in Northern Ireland have been removed from the Companies House register in the last year by the National Economic Crime Centre.

The National Economic Crime Centre does not remove companies from the Registers of Companies. This is a function of the Registrars of Companies. During the most recent period for which published figures are available (April 2024 to March 2025), 10,096 companies were struck off the Register of Companies for Northern Ireland and dissolved. These statistics are available from Table A9 of the Companies Register Activities: Statistical Release April 2024 to March 2025. This can be accessed at the address below: Companies register activities: statistical release April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK

Whether he has had discussions with online sales platforms on guidance on implementation of the General Product Safety Regulation.

Ministerial colleagues in the Department and I undertake regular engagement with businesses, including online marketplaces and those who sell products online, to listen to their concerns. In addition, officials in my Department have regular discussions with business representatives, including online marketplaces and businesses that sell products online, on a range of issues, including the new General Product Safety Regulations. This engagement allows businesses to raise specific issues directly with the Government.