Ministerial role

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Organisations: Northern Ireland Office

Current role holder: Sarah Owen MP

Responsibilities

The Minister for Northern Ireland leads on:

• Public service transformation, investment and economic growth, working with the NI Executive;

• Supporting regular & sustained engagement with NI parties and Whitehall stakeholders;

• Supporting the progress of the department’s business in the House of Commons; and 

• Social inclusion.

Current role holder

Sarah Owen MP

Sarah Owen MP was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office on 22 July 2026. She was elected as the MP for Luton North in December 2019.

More about this person

Previous holders of this role

1. Matthew Patrick MP

   2025 to 2026

Announcements

Subscriptions

• Get emails

• UK Government releases a further £102.6 million for reform of NI public services
  • 26 May 2026
  • Press release
• Environment Secretary in Northern Ireland for UK–EU Reset talks
  • 14 May 2026
  • Press release
• British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Joint Communiqué, 30 April 2026
  • 30 April 2026
  • Press release
• UK and Irish Governments to reaffirm security cooperation and commitment to Legacy at BIIGC 
  • 30 April 2026
  • Press release
• Northern Ireland start-up boost with new £50 million defence growth deal
  • 22 April 2026
  • Press release
• Connect Fund to award additional £1.5 million to community and voluntary groups
  • 17 April 2026
  • Press release
• Minister’s Boston visit puts NI's tech sector in the spotlight
  • 25 March 2026
  • Press release
• Secretary of State & Northern Ireland Minister to attend annual St. Patrick’s Day events in United States
  • 16 March 2026
  • Press release
• £1 million Community Partnership Fund to boost Northern Ireland community and voluntary groups
  • 02 March 2026
  • Press release
• Connect Fund awards nine community projects over £80,000
  • 13 February 2026
  • Press release

View all announcements