Written questions by Eastwood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his UN counterparts on the potential merits of creating a UN Convention on the rights of older persons.

The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora. UK officials continue to discuss the issue with international counterparts.

If he will amend the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 to include siblings and parents in the entitlement to claim compensation in respect of deceased person criteria.

The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 provides for a redress scheme for victims who suffered abuse while resident in these institutions in Northern Ireland. The legislation was put in place by the previous UK Government due to the prolonged absence of the Northern Ireland Assembly during that period. As a devolved matter, however, it was drafted by The Executive Office, which is now responsible for administering the Scheme. The Executive Office is therefore the appropriate department to which the Honourable Member for Lagan Valley should direct her query.

How many meetings of the Motor Insurance Taskforce have taken place; and when the next meeting will take place.

The cross-Government Motor Insurance Taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024. The Government will provide updates on the Taskforce’s work in due course.

If she will take steps to create a visa scheme for Palestinians that is similar to the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come and live in the UK and do not have a current UK visa can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. There are no plans to create a bespoke family reunion scheme at this stage.Further details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa.We will accept applications, which would normally have to be made in the country where the person is living, at any of the UK’s Visa Application Centres.Visa Application Centres are open and operating in Egypt, in both Cairo and Alexandria, and Amman in Jordan.The FCDO is also providing consular assistance to those with British nationality, or dual nationality including British, who are in Gaza or who have left Gaza to a third country. Dual national British-Palestinians are not required to make a visa application as they have the right of abode in the UK. Our embassy staff are ready to provide support as appropriate.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the report entitled AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, what discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of that plan in Northern Ireland.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier. The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology engaged with Northern Ireland’s Ministerial representatives about the Action Plan. We will continue to engage widely as government takes the Action Plan forward.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of blood cancer data.

The National Disease Registration Service, through the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Services (NCRAS), collects information on how many people in England are diagnosed with or treated for cancer. Blood cancer is included as a distinct category, labelled haematological neoplasms. This creates a clinically rich data resource that is used to measure diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer. The data held by the NCRAS supports service provision and commissioning in the National Health Service, clinical audits, and public health and epidemiological research, all of which contribute to improved outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer, including those with blood cancer. The information is available at the following link: https://www.cancerdata.nhs.uk/National Disease Registration Service analysts attend quarterly meetings with United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Cancer Registries analysts to discuss any differences in the reporting of cancer data and how these can be made analogous. Annual performance indicators, including key performance indicators for haematology, are available at the following link:https://ukiacr.org/kpis

What steps he is taking to help reduce inequalities of care for blood cancer patients.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 October 2024 to Question 5808.

How many departmental bids have been (a) received and (b) approved by the Northern Ireland Public Sector Transformation Board.

Following the establishment of an Interim Public Sector Transformation Board in May 2024, the interim Board ran a process to consider the 47 proposals which were received from Northern Ireland Departments. The Interim Board has recommended several proposals to the Northern Ireland Minister of Finance which it considers have the greatest potential to deliver real transformation and service improvement across a number of Executive priority areas in the draft Programme for Government.

With reference to the Department of Health and Social Care's press release entitled Biggest investment into hospices in a generation, published on 19 December 2024, whether any Barnett consequentials will be made available for Northern Ireland.

The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). As this funding for adult and children’s hospices is being re-allocated from within existing Department of Health and Social Care budgets there will be no additional Barnett consequentials for the devolved governments. The Barnett formula has already been applied to funding previously allocated at Autumn Budget 2024. The Northern Ireland Executive’s block grant funding is growing in real terms in 2025-26 and the Executive’s spending review settlement for 2025-26 is the largest in real terms of any settlement since devolution. The Northern Ireland Executive will receive over 24% more per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK in 2025-26, including the 2024 Northern Ireland Executive restoration financial package. That translates into over £2.5 billion more in 2025-26.

What steps he is taking to support British-based businesses to appoint a responsible person under the General Product Safety Regulations to access to Northern Ireland and EU markets.

The Government is supporting small businesses to understand and comply with the new General Product Safety Regulation. We have published guidance on the new Regulation in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses, including through regular drop-in sessions. Firms exporting to the EU should note that EU guidance is now available and may also wish to contact the Government’s Export Support Service.

Whether he plans to have discussions with political parties on the future of Northern Ireland's political institutions.

I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties to discuss a range of issues, including the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term stability of Northern Ireland institutions.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the process for appointing the (a) First Minister and (b) Deputy First Minister.

I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties to discuss a range of issues, including the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term stability of Northern Ireland institutions.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a representative from Northern Ireland to the Financial Inclusion Committee.

On 5 December, I convened a Financial Inclusion Committee which has been established to tackle the problems of financial exclusion. Through this committee, I will work with consumer groups and industry on the development of a Financial Inclusion Strategy. This strategy must work for the whole of the UK. As such, I have written to my counterparts in Devolved Governments to update them on this work and extend the offer to input on an ongoing basis, both at ministerial and official level. More widely, we will be working closely with a number of organisations from across the UK, beyond the core committee, to ensure that the development of the strategy is informed by a range of perspectives and expertise.

Whether his Department plans to monitor the application of the guidance entitled General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland: Guidance for businesses on Regulation 2023/988, published on 5 December 2024.

The Department will be monitoring the application of the new General Product Safety Regulation in Northern Ireland and will keep the guidance on the Regulation under review to ensure we are supporting businesses to trade freely across the UK.

What discussions she has had on the potential merits of appointing a Northern Ireland representative to the Financial Inclusion Committee.

On 5 December, I convened a Financial Inclusion Committee which has been established to tackle the problems of financial exclusion. Through this committee, I will work with consumer groups and industry on the development of a Financial Inclusion Strategy. This strategy must work for the whole of the UK. As such, I have written to my counterparts in Devolved Governments to update them on this work and extend the offer to input on an ongoing basis, both at ministerial and official level. More widely, we will be working closely with a number of organisations from across the UK, beyond the core committee, to ensure that the development of the strategy is informed by a range of perspectives and expertise.

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that small businesses in Great Britain are aware of his Department's guidance entitled General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland: Guidance for businesses on Regulation 2023/988, published on 5 December 2024.

My officials have been engaging regularly with businesses on the new General Product Safety Regulations in Northern Ireland. The guidance for businesses has been shared with the business community in Great Britain and Northern Ireland through existing channels. My officials are also engaging with businesses through drop-in sessions, both before and after the Regulation takes effect in Northern Ireland.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential impact of the General Product Safety Regulations 2023 on the ability of consumers in Northern Ireland to buy goods from Great Britain.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway to be compliant with the new Regulation to continue trading with the EU.The Department for Business and Trade’s Office for Product Safety & Standards has issued guidance on the application of the General Product Safety Regulation in Northern Ireland to support businesses.This will be kept under review and DBT will continue to engage businesses directly to ensure the government is supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK. My department continues to have regular engagement with DBT on this new Regulation.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the General Product Safety Regulations on the ability of consumers in Northern Ireland to buy goods from Great Britain.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway to be compliant with the new Regulation to continue trading with the EU. The Business department has issued guidance in this area (General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland - GOV.UK), and we will keep this under review. The government will continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

If he will meet with online consumers in Northern Ireland experiencing difficulties buying goods from Great Britain.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and are constructively working with all stakeholders, including consumer groups, to protect the UK Internal Market. HM Government continues to support businesses in ensuring a smooth flow of goods between Northern Ireland (NI) and the rest of the UK. This includes through the provision of guidance and advice, as offered through the Trader Support Service and published online.It is important that we consider consumer views when developing policy. As such, DBT meets consumer representatives from across the UK, and works with the NI Department for the Economy to support people in Northern Ireland.

What his planned timetable is for establishing the Ethics and Integrity Commission.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 31 July 2024, Official Report, PQ 1251.