NEWS

Ulster Unionist MP for South Antrim, Robin Swann Ulster Unionist MP for South Antrim, Robin Swann, has secured a seat on the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, strengthening Northern Ireland’s representation on one of Westminster’s most significant scrutiny bodies. Mr Swann has taken up one of the Government positions on the committee, a move which reflects his cross-party approach at Westminster and the working relationships he has developed with MPs across the House

Tray bakes – a staple of local bakeries across Northern Ireland – have become the latest focus of criticism over the continued application of EU law in the region, according to North Antrim MP Jim Allister. In a statement issued this week, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader said that a bakery in his constituency has been forced to relabel its tray bakes to comply with EU allergen requirements that go beyond those required under UK law. Mr Allister said the situation

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed new assurances from the Treasury that proposed inheritance tax arrangements for family farms will apply beyond married couples and civil partners, following strong concerns raised by farming organisations in Northern Ireland. The clarification was provided by Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson after Mr Swann raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting widespread anxiety within the farming community that the proposed rules could unintent

Jim Allister MP and Andrew Rosindell MP with victims of Gaddafi sponsored IRA terrorism outside the Foreign Office after meeting minister, Hamish Falconer. Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister has accused successive UK governments of failing victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism, following a high-level meeting with Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer. Mr Allister said the meeting, held alongside Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell and representatives of

TUV leader Jim Allister MP TUV leader Jim Allister MP has warned that Northern Ireland will enter 2026 facing tighter EU controls, increased costs for businesses and further divergence from Great Britain, as he delivered a hard-hitting New Year message criticising the Protocol, Stormont and unionist rivals. Mr Allister said the new year would “begin where 2025 left off”, with what he described as the continued tightening of European Union restrictions under post-Brexit arr

North Antrim MP Jim Allister The government’s decision to raise the inheritance tax relief threshold for farm holdings and business assets has been welcomed by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister — but he has warned the change does not go far enough to protect farming families. Reacting to today’s announcement that the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold will rise from £1 million to £2.5 million from April 2026, Mr Allister said the move rep

Fibrus Networks Ltd appointed to deliver Project Gigabit. More than 9,000 rural homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from fast, reliable broadband under a major new £34.6 million infrastructure programme announced by the Economy Minister. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has confirmed that Fibrus Networks Ltd has been appointed to deliver Project Gigabit, the UK government-funded scheme aimed at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-re

Robin Swann MP at Antrim Train Station Over 1,200 residents and supporters have backed an open letter from Robin Swann MP urging Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA to set out a clear, definitive timeline for reopening the Knockmore Railway Line between Lisburn and Antrim. The South Antrim MP has formally written to the Minister to present the letter, which calls for transparency, certainty and a firm commitment to move the long-awaited rail project forward. Mr Swann said

Robin Swann MP speaking in the House of Commons Robin Swann MP is set to lead a Westminster Hall debate next Wednesday on “the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland,” amid intensifying concern from vets, farmers and animal welfare organisations over post-Brexit medicine arrangements. The Northern Ireland Office will respond to the debate, which follows heightened warnings from across the sector about the potential impact of the current grace period ending on 31 D

The managing director of M&S Food has warned the Chancellor that a recent change to inheritance tax treatment of family farms risks destroying generational businesses and imperilling the UK’s food security. In a direct appeal ahead of next week’s Budget, Alex Freudmann said ministers should “think again on inheritance tax” and adopt practical safeguards to protect genuine working farms. Farming under pressure — and inheritance tax adds to the burden Farmers are already grap

South Antrim MP Robin Swann Ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Budget, Robin Swann MP has issued a stark warning over the proposed Family Farm Tax, describing it as a “deeply damaging and utterly unacceptable threat” to family-run farms across Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist MP stressed the importance of protecting these farms, which he described as integral to both rural communities and local economies. “As I have made clear time and time again, the Family Farm Tax is a dire

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) has issued a stark warning that Northern Ireland’s fishing industry is facing an existential crisis, following new scientific advice recommending dramatic quota cuts for key species in 2026. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, November 18, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said the fishing sector was “standing on the edge of a cliff” and called for “swift and decisive intervention” to prevent the collapse of what he described as “

Belfast Harbour Secretary of State Hilary Benn has praised a landmark £100 million offshore wind investment during a visit to Belfast Harbour, where two of the largest planned wind farms in the Irish Sea are set to be assembled. The visit comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced at COP30 that the project could create more than 300 jobs, following the major agreement by joint venture partners JERA Nex bp and EnBW to lease Belfast Harbour’s offshore wind terminal.

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has voiced disappointment after the UK Government blocked a proposed amendment that would have required new homes to include swift bricks – small, low-cost nesting spaces designed to help protect and restore the UK’s declining swift population. The amendment, known as the ‘swift brick amendment’ , was debated in Westminster on Monday night and would have applied to new homes in England and Wales that are more than five metres in height. However,

“Honoured as Member of Parliament for South Antrim to place a Memorial at the Opening of the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance.” – Robin Swann MP Following intervention by South Antrim MP Robin Swann , the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has confirmed that the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and related merchandise are not subject to EU regulations. Guidance will now be updated to reflect this clarification. Mr Swann welcomed the decision as “a win for commo

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has issued a stark warning that Northern Ireland could face a serious animal welfare crisis unless urgent action is taken to secure the supply of vital veterinary medicines. The former Health Minister has written to both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), urging them to make the issue a priority. His intervention follows contact from a local animal

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined his Digital ID plans during a visit to Barclays Bank in London Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans for a new national digital ID system designed to simplify how people prove their identity, access essential services, and interact with businesses and government. Speaking during a visit to a Barclays Bank branch on Thursday, Mr Starmer said the initiative would “cut paperwork, save time, and help people access services q

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an Urgent Safety Alert warning parents and caregivers to stop using baby self-feeding products immediately and dispose of them safely, citing a serious risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. Businesses have also been ordered to remove all such products from sale as they cannot meet safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Baby self-feeding products are designed to allow infants to b

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the UK Government to urgently provide clarity on the future of charity funding in Northern Ireland, warning that uncertainty over the new Local Growth Fund risks leaving vital community programmes without support. Mr Swann raised the issue with the Cabinet Office in the House of Commons, highlighting growing concern among charities and disability organisations who depend on UK Government funding to deliver

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed the UK Government’s £271 million annual defence investment in Northern Ireland, while urging closer coordination between the Northern Ireland Executive and Westminster to ensure maximum economic and strategic benefit. The Ulster Unionist MP described the announcement as “a positive step for Northern Ireland’s economy” and a recognition of the region’s “innovative aerospace and manufacturing industries.” Mr Swann said: “This investmen