South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) regarding several key road resurfacing schemes across the constituency. Following direct representations by Mr Swann, resurfacing on Ballycorr Road in Ballyclare is now underway. The Minister has also confirmed that Thorndale Road, Dundrod, has been added to the 2026/27 large-scale patching programme, while Hillhead Road, Ballyclare, is scheduled for delivery this year, subject

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has congratulated the organisers, volunteers and exhibitors following another highly successful Antrim Show, describing the annual event as one of the highlights of the local calendar. Mr Swann praised the work of the Antrim Show Committee in delivering an event that continues to grow in both quality and popularity. "The Antrim Show keeps getting better every year, and huge credit is due to the Show Committee and the many volunteers whose hard work

Robin Swann MP has brought together South Antrim steel firms and senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade to address their concerns from the damaging steel tariffs and quotas in an effort to protect local import and manufacturing businesses. The meeting, facilitated by Mr Swann, brought together major local employers including Hannon Steel, Hy-Ten, Impact Ireland Metals and Aalco. The local firms highlighted the severe "double hit" facing Northern Ireland

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called for urgent clarity and safeguards for local applicants following confirmation from Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA that students from the Republic of Ireland are included in Northern Ireland’s domestic student cap. In correspondence to Mr Swann, the Minister confirmed that full-time undergraduates from the Republic of Ireland are classified as "home students" under the Maximum Student Number (MaSN) cap. Departmental figures sho

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has urged the Prime Minister to back Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector by introducing a reduced VAT pilot, following the UK Government’s decision to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England. The UK Government announced new measures to reduce business rate bills for thousands of English venues to help rebuild high streets. Mr Swann argued that while relief for venues in England is welcome, hospitality operators in Nort

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has praised local resident Ross McMullan from Henderson Foodservice Ltd following his recognition at the national Food & Drink Wholesale UK STAR Awards in Parliament. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements across the food and drink wholesale sector, highlighting the importance of developing skills and career opportunities for young people. Mr Swann said after meeting Ross at Westminster: "It was a pleasure to meet Ross at Parliament and cele

Ulster Unionist South Antrim MP Robin Swann has said that Andy Burnham's early decisions as Prime Minister, particularly his Cabinet appointments to the Treasury, the Northern Ireland Office and Defence, will have immediate and long-term implications for Northern Ireland. Commenting ahead of the new premiership, Robin Swann said: “Burnham's premiership is still full of the unknown. His offer of change will be demonstrated by his Cabinet picks: will it be a simple reshuffle of

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the UK Government and HM Treasury to establish a pilot scheme reducing VAT for hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland, arguing that the region provides the ideal test bed for a policy that could protect jobs, strengthen tourism, support local businesses and generate wider economic growth. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the potential merits of a VAT reduction pilot for hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland, Mr Swann

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has secured a Westminster Hall debate next week, on Wednesday 15th July, to press the Government on lowering hospitality VAT to for Northern Ireland. Securing a targeted reduction in hospitality VAT has been a long time priority for the Ulster Unionist Party and was a commitment in the party’s 2024 manifesto. Robin Swann MP has been actively progressing this commitment since his election, raising the matter with Ministers in both Stormont and Westm

South Antrim MP Robin Swann hosted two local church leaders at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster this week. The annual event, held in the historic Westminster Hall inside the Houses of Parliament, brought together over hundreds of attendees, including high profile government ministers, opposition leaders, and church leaders from across the United Kingdom. The main address at this year’s gathering was delivered by Clare Williams-Sarpong, who spoke on t

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has signed a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to tighten import controls and protect UK egg producers from being undercut by inferior foreign imports. The Early Day Motion highlights figures from the British Egg Industry Council showing that egg imports have risen to around 1.6 billion annually. Many of these imports fail to meet the strict welfare and food safety standards that local farmers are legally required to uphold. UK produce

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has backed a campaign for reform of outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act at Westminster event, supporting local animal owners by pledging support for the introduction of regulation for vet businesses, along with mandatory licensing and standards for all veterinary practices. Attending a joint event at the House of Commons hosted by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Nursi

Robin Swann MP joined colleagues from across the political spectrum in Westminster this Insect Week (23 June 2026) to pledge support for insect life and inspire the next generation of insect scientists. Around the world, insect populations have declined and are continuing to change. Citizen science surveys such as the Big Butterfly Count and the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) record these fluctuations across various insect groups in the UK such as bees, butterflies, h

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has sought assurances from the Government to ensure that biosecurity officials are alert to the threat of New World screwworm, a parasite that can cause huge damage to livestock. In response to questioning from Mr Swann, Farming Minister Stephen Morgan confirmed the welcome news that there have been no recorded cases in the UK. He also revealed that no discussions have yet taken place at a Ministerial level between DEFRA and DAERA in Northern Irela

At today’s Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee evidence session on Peter May’s recent report into the culture of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), Robin Swann MP questioned Sir Declan Morgan and Peter Sheridan from the ICRIR, as well as Holly Clark from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), on the impact of a lack of cooperation from the Irish Government. The South Antrim MP asked the witnesses: "Sir Declan and Peter, you’ve bo

Responding to the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, South Antrim MP Robin Swann said: “There has been huge instability in Parliament in recent weeks as it became clearer and clearer that Starmer wouldn’t be Prime Minister for much longer. “What the country needs now is stability, so the process which now follows to select a new Prime Minister needs to be swift and clear, and whoever takes over the role needs to be given the time, space and opportunity to lay out

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has co-signed an amendment aimed at ending the injustice where military compensation significantly reduces the means-tested benefits received by veterans. The amendment to the Armed Forces Bill, tabled by Josh Babarinde MP, calls on the government to review the merits of disregarding payments from the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme when calculating entitlements to benefits such as Pension Credit. Under current rules, vetera

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has hosted a special event at The Lock Keeper's Cottage in Toome to mark Great Big Green Week, focusing on the conservation of native swifts. The event brought together local environment groups, conservation experts and school children to discuss practical ways to protect the local swift population and enhance biodiversity. Mr Swann said: "I want to thank the RSPB Antrim local group and Mark Smyth for their excellent presentations, which highlighte

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has strongly condemned the recent targeting of local businesses in Ballyclare, warning that violence and destruction of property only serve to tear communities apart. Reflecting on the important difference between immigration policy concerns and the unlawful targeting of local people, Mr Swann said: "The recent attack in North Belfast was barbaric, and people are understandably concerned and angry. I fully acknowledge these legitimate concerns and

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling on the Treasury to introduce a targeted 10 per cent hospitality VAT pilot rate for Northern Ireland. The parliamentary motion highlights the severe financial pressures local businesses are facing due to escalating operating costs and emphasises the sector's vital role in sustaining local towns and high streets. Robin Swann MP said: "Our hospitality sector is a cornerstone of the local e