Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tonia Antoniazzi this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 107 · this parliament
How many people made asylum applications at Drumkeen House in Belfast in each of the last three years.
The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
How many asylum claimants there are in Northern Ireland for which the latest data is available.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the number of asylum seekers in Northern Ireland.
Immigration and asylum policy are reserved matters for the Home Office. I would encourage the Honourable Member to write to the Home Secretary on this matter.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of advising prophylactic antibiotics for those at risk of endocarditis from basic dental examinations.
No assessment has been made by the Department, however the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has guidance on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis in NICE Clinical Guideline CG64, which can be found at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg64 This guideline states that antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis is not currently routinely recommended for people undergoing dental procedures, but it is recommended for a small number of people who are at increased risk of infective endocarditis, such as those with certain structural heart conditions. For these individuals, clinicians should provide clear information on the risks and benefits and may consider antibiotic prophylaxis on an individual basis following an informed discussion, rather than as part of routine care. Where used, prophylaxis is typically limited to a single, targeted dose, consistent with antimicrobial stewardship principles. From an antimicrobial resistance perspective, the Department’s position is that preventing infection in the first place, through good oral hygiene, timely access to dental care, and effective infection prevention and control, is the most sustainable way to reduce both endocarditis risk and the need for antibiotics. NICE has recently highlighted additional advice for high‑risk groups, but has confirmed that the evidence remains insufficient to change the overall recommendation against routine antibiotic prophylaxis, which can be found at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg64/chapter/recommendations
Whether users of LPG can access the £53 million emergency support package for vulnerable households.
The additional £53 million announced by the government to be targeted at heating oil includes £3.8 million support for Wales, which is being provided to the Welsh Government. It is for the Welsh Government to determine how this funding is allocated and delivered, in line with its devolved responsibilities and existing delivery mechanisms, including any support available for households reliant on LPG.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Portman Group’s report entitled Protecting Consumers and Supporting Producers: Regulatory Report 2025, published on 4 February 2026.
The Department has noted the publication of the report Protecting Consumers and Supporting Producers: Regulatory Report 2025, which provides the Portman Groups review of its regulation in 2025.The Portman Group are the alcohol industry’s self-regulatory body with responsibility for the application of two codes to regulate the sponsorship, naming, packaging, and marketing of alcoholic products.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 118047, which section of the most recent Block Grant Transparency publication details the Barnett consequentials allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive following increases in police funding to PCCs in England and Wales in each year since 2020.
The Barnett formula applies to all changes in UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes to the Northern Ireland Executive’s block grant funding since Spending Review 2015. The most recent report was published in October 2025. At spending reviews, the Barnett formula is applied to overall changes to department funding, rather than to individual programmes or specific funding streams. Therefore, it is not possible to identify or specify Barnett consequentials allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive for particular programmes where funding was provided at spending reviews, including increases in police funding to Police and Crime Commisioners in England and Wales.
Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 109187 and Question 109186 on Religious Buildings: Wales, what additional funding was agreed with the Treasury to support the Places of Worship Renewal Fund; and what amount of proportional funding was made available to the Welsh Government.
At the Spending Review 2025, HM Treasury agreed budgets for Departments for a three-year period for Resource DEL, and a four-year period for Capital DEL. The Department then completed a Business Planning process to allocate this funding to programmes. This included £92 million (£23 million per year) for the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.At Spending Reviews, the Devolved Governments generally receive Barnett consequentials as a proportion of overall departmental settlements, not specific funding lines or programmes. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are then for the Devolved Governments to take. We are not therefore able to provide Barnett numbers relating to specific policy measures.
What estimate she has made of the Barnett consequentials allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive following increases in police funding to PCCs in England and Wales in each year since 2020.
The Barnett formula applies to all changes in UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes to the Northern Ireland Executive’s block grant funding since Spending Review 2015. The most recent report was published in October 2025.
What estimate he has made of UK Government funding allocated to the PSNI as Additional Security Funding in each financial year since 2011.
Recognising the unique security situation in Northern Ireland, the UK Government makes contributions to the PSNI through Additional Security Funding. The aim of the funding is to enable the PSNI to tackle terrorist threats while ensuring day-to-day policing is not compromised, allowing them to continue keeping people safe. This Government is providing the PSNI with £37.8 million in Additional Security Funding in the 2025/26 financial year, an increase from c£32m. The 2025 Spending Review confirmed the PSNI will be provided with £37.8 million in Additional Security Funding for each of the next 3 financial years. The amount provided to the PSNI in Additional Security funding in each full financial year since 2011 is shown below:Financial YearAmount2011/12£57.1m2012/13£53.3m2013/14£62.4m2014/15£26.7m2015/16c£32m2016/17c£32m2017/18c£32m2018/19c£32m2019/20c£32m2020/21c£32m2021/22c£32m2022/23c£32m2023/24c£32m2024/25c£32m2025/26£37.8
What estimate she has made of the Barnett consequentials allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive from the £750,000 uplift provided in 2019 for an increase in officer numbers to 20,000 in England and Wales.
The Barnett formula applies to all changes in UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits, including the Home Office, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes to the Northern Ireland Executive’s block grant funding since Spending Review 2015. The most recent report was published in October 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Taliban's decision to permanently ban women and girls from education.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103187.
Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of recently announced changes to capital funding for places of worship on places of worship in Wales.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund is focused solely on England because heritage policy is devolved. Future capital funding for Wales is supported through Barnett allocations, which provide proportional funding to the Welsh Government. As these funds are not ring-fenced, it is for the devolved administrations to determine how this funding is allocated and spent according to their priorities. Therefore, we do not plan to assess the impact of this capital funding for places of worship in Wales.This contrasts with the previous Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS), which operated UK-wide as a VAT-rebate scheme. Tax policy is not devolved.To ensure continued support across the UK, we are working closely with sector funders to maximise opportunities for all nations. The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) remains a vital resource, offering grants across the UK and investing £100 million over three years in places of worship. This includes a strategic initiative designed to provide targeted support and build capacity, ensuring that places of worship in Wales have access to investment.
Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to secure adequate funding opportunities for places of worship in Wales.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund is focused solely on England because heritage policy is devolved. Future capital funding for Wales is supported through Barnett allocations, which provide proportional funding to the Welsh Government. As these funds are not ring-fenced, it is for the devolved administrations to determine how this funding is allocated and spent according to their priorities. Therefore, we do not plan to assess the impact of this capital funding for places of worship in Wales.This contrasts with the previous Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS), which operated UK-wide as a VAT-rebate scheme. Tax policy is not devolved.To ensure continued support across the UK, we are working closely with sector funders to maximise opportunities for all nations. The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) remains a vital resource, offering grants across the UK and investing £100 million over three years in places of worship. This includes a strategic initiative designed to provide targeted support and build capacity, ensuring that places of worship in Wales have access to investment.
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems, published on 20 January 2026.
Nature underpins our security, prosperity, and resilience, and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The assessment published 20 January 2026 has implications across a wide range of Defra policy areas, including food and farming, water, international biodiversity, and climate adaptation. The assessment is a strategic analysis rather than a prediction. It is designed to help the Government plan for potential shocks that are credible enough to warrant preparation. This approach ensures the UK is better equipped to anticipate and manage risks should they arise. Publishing the assessment also supports international cooperation on shared biodiversity challenges. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. Defra contributed to the 2025 UK National Security Strategy, which recognises climate and nature degradation as strategic risks, and is supporting its implementation. Defra also supports the Government’s Defence Energy and Capability Resilience Centre of Excellence, announced under the Defence Industrial Strategy, which will strengthen UK resilience by harnessing innovation in dual-use energy technologies and circular economy approaches. This work complements wider cross-government efforts to build long-term stability across food, energy, and environmental systems.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her department's policies of the National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems, published 20th January 2026.
Nature underpins our security, prosperity, and resilience, and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The assessment published 20 January 2026 has implications across a wide range of Defra policy areas, including food and farming, water, international biodiversity, and climate adaptation. The assessment is a strategic analysis rather than a prediction. It is designed to help the Government plan for potential shocks that are credible enough to warrant preparation. This approach ensures the UK is better equipped to anticipate and manage risks should they arise. Publishing the assessment also supports international cooperation on shared biodiversity challenges. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. Defra contributed to the 2025 UK National Security Strategy, which recognises climate and nature degradation as strategic risks, and is supporting its implementation. Defra also supports the Government’s Defence Energy and Capability Resilience Centre of Excellence, announced under the Defence Industrial Strategy, which will strengthen UK resilience by harnessing innovation in dual-use energy technologies and circular economy approaches. This work complements wider cross-government efforts to build long-term stability across food, energy, and environmental systems.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the impairment fee on financial pressures on the British brewing sector.
Incorporating impairment provisions for bad debt in a cost recovery scheme is an expected consideration of Government as detailed in Managing Public Money guidelines and is common practice when setting fees. Additionally, Managing Public Money guidelines advise that cross subsidies are not standard practice.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact that the impairment fee applied under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme will have on business cashflow and financial stability.
Incorporating impairment provisions for bad debt in a cost recovery scheme is an expected consideration of Government as detailed in Managing Public Money guidelines and is common practice when setting fees. Whilst Notice of Liabilities issued under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme are due for payment after 50 calendar days, liable producers have the facility to pay in quarterly instalments. These impairment provisions can only be used for specific purposes and will be subject to regular scrutiny and review. Where the impairment provision isn’t fully utilised, liable producers will be given a refund.
Whether he has considered the potential merits of integrating the growth strategy, tourism strategy, high street strategy and small business strategy with the Hospitality Sector Council’s strategy.
The Government recognises the hospitality sector’s vital contribution to growth, tourism, high streets and small businesses. To support this, the Hospitality Sector Council (HSC) was established to co-create solutions and deliver the Hospitality Strategy. The Council works closely with other Government departments, including DCMS, and industry representatives to ensure the sector’s needs are well represented and to maintain a coherent vision for driving growth across multiple strategies. Its Terms of Reference already enable early engagement on strategic issues and alignment with wider Government priorities While the sector is integral to growth, high streets and small businesses – these all depend of course on more than just the hospitality sector. However, I would like to assure you that during the development of these strategies the sector’s needs and concerns were fully represented.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the impairment fee under the extended producer responsibility scheme on future impairment costs.
The impairment provision is based on the bad debt experience of Defra with charging schemes that are most similar to pEPR, whilst taking into consideration the large values of some of our Notice of Liabilities. It will be subject to regular review based on past, current and future customer payment behaviours. To minimise the impairment and provide transparency, PackUK intends to collect debt rigorously but fairly and will review the impairment provision at least quarterly.