John O'Dowd
Upper Bann · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“As I set out in response to the previous question, we have in place the vacant property rate relief scheme and the small business rate relief scheme, which are very successful. I set aside £10 million in the draft Budget for small business rate relief to be invested.”
“I am particularly keen to hear from those impacted by vacant commercial units and especially about how any phased increase can be implemented in a sustainable way that is fair, proportionate and sustainable within the tax system.”
“I outlined my intent to take that approach in my statement on 18 November, alongside the fact that reform of rating policy should support growth, make better use of property and ensure that the system is fair, proportionate and aligned with wider economic objectives.”
“The accelerator will operate alongside our highly successful Back in Business scheme, which has helped to bring over 100 vacant high street properties back into use since May 2024. Those issues have been the subject of considerable interest and comment in the Assembly, and it is right that we grasp the nettle now.”
“There are no circumstances in which a hard border would be good for the people of Ireland; it would not be good for anyone. Those who suggest that are being naive at best and dangerous at worst, in the sense of not understanding this society. <BR /> <BR />Rural communities along the border are one and the same.”
“This announcement represents the next step in that. That said, I also put on record my intention to strengthen support for small businesses. In that vein, £10 million has been set aside in the draft Budget to broaden the impact of the small business rate relief scheme in order to increase the number of businesses that can benefit from it.…”
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“I welcome the Statutory Committee's recognition that there is considerable pressure on the public purse and that difficult decisions will need to be made in a challenging fiscal environment. Much of that has been reflected in today's debate. <BR /> <BR />Despite the challenges, it is important that we recognise that the Budget that was agreed last week provides some £19 billion for public services and infrastructure. The Finance Committee report identifies a number of common themes across all Statutory Committees, about which we have heard from Chairs and Deputy Chairs today. As I outlined yesterday, this is the last year in which I intend to bring forward a single-year Budget.”
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate on the Finance Committee and NI Fiscal Council's reports on the 2025-26 Budget. First, I thank the Committee and the Fiscal Council for the detailed work that they have carried out in developing their reports, and I thank Members for their contributions to the debate. As you are aware, I was here yesterday, giving an oral statement on the final Budget 2025-26, which was agreed by all Ministers on 3 April. It is my intention to return to the Assembly in mid-May for a full debate on the final Budget. <BR /> <BR />I will turn to the Finance Committee's report. It provides a useful summary of the issues reflected in the draft Budget. I am pleased that it refers to the extensive engagement with my Department, which, I hope, the Committee found useful.”
“The planned increase to employers' National Insurance contributions will prove incredibly challenging for our local businesses, the community and voluntary sector and public-sector employers. Devolved Governments quite simply do not have the financial capacity to compensate for decisions made on reserved taxation matters. This was a decision taken in Westminster on a reserved taxation matter. Now that I have an independent cost of doing business report, I will press the Treasury for a solution to its decision while working closely with Executive colleagues to consider the implications of that work within our remit and limited resources.”
“Almost 57% of all pubs get some form of rate support, and 65% of those in the hospitality sector are in receipt of support via the small business rate relief scheme. Over 63% of retailers get some form of support, with 80% of that support provided to small retail properties with an NAV of £15,000 or less. The strategic review cycle of rate support measures has now been commenced, and the cost of doing business research, alongside direct engagement with business stakeholders, will help to inform those considerations.”
“Over 30,000 businesses, from a tax base of just under 75,000, get a small business rate relief, which we have just renewed for the 2025-26 year. I also introduced legislation last month, with the Assembly's support, to renew the Back in Business scheme and the rural ATM rates exemption scheme.”
“<BR /> <BR />I note that the report produced by the two Committees includes a theme of "Business rates". When considering what local support can be provided to ease cost pressures for businesses, it is important to understand that any rate relief means forgoing revenue, charging other ratepayers more or reducing public services. My Department already provides over a quarter of a billion pounds worth of support in our domestic rating system each rating year. Around 70% of non-domestic ratepayers occupy property with some form of rate support. That rises to 75% when vacant property relief is taken into account. Almost 4,500 manufacturers here pay the lowest business rates in these islands. They get 70% off their rates by virtue of industrial derating, which is a tax relief unique to this jurisdiction.”
“The report provides me with an independent evidence base on which to present as strong a case as possible to the Treasury ahead of the June spending review. I will shortly write to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, using the research to press home the need for support or mitigations to ease the impacts of the National Insurance contributions. I will also share the report and engage with my Executive colleagues to discuss the implications of the work for their Departments and the areas for which they are responsible. It is important to note, however, that, as a devolved Administration, our ability to absorb any increased costs for the wider public sector or to provide additional support to businesses because of decisions made in Westminster is limited.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members will be aware that the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre has taken forward work commissioned by my predecessor on the cost of doing business here. I received a copy of the final report yesterday, which I am considering. The study was commissioned following concerns raised in the aftermath of the Chancellor's autumn Budget. However, the research was broader than that. It looked at the impact of labour, energy, property, transport, materials and insurance costs on sectors and by business size, as well as the VAT differential for the hospitality sector on the island. Researchers also undertook an extensive consultation exercise with 25 sectoral and business bodies, so that they could have their say.”
“It improves economic, social and personal well-being for workers and reduces inequalities, whilst there are also benefits for business in talent attraction and retention. I recognise, however, that labour costs are significant for many employers, and any increases in wages can impact on operational costs and sustainability. However, from my recent engagement with employers, the strong consensus is that the changes to the National Insurance contributions will have the most profound impact. The changes were unexpected by employers, be they in business, the broader public sector or the community and voluntary sector and social enterprises, which also provide services to many of the most vulnerable in society, have had little notice to plan for the hike.”
“The spring statement was an opportunity to do that, but what we have got is the continuation of austerity, neglecting to support those who need support most. Whilst Whitehall Departments will be fully funded for the additional costs that they incur as a result of the increases, due to the different structures of our public services, the Barnett consequentials that we receive will be far short of the cost that the Executive face. Central government costs alone are forecast to be around £207 million, while the Executive will receive just £146 million in Barnett consequentials towards the costs, a shortfall of some £60 million. It is unacceptable that a policy decision by the British Government should result in financial pressures for the Executive, as a devolved Government. <BR /> <BR />The uplift in the national minimum wage is welcome.”
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate on the impact of the Chancellor's autumn Budget statement, and I commend both Committees for the work that they have carried out. I share Members' concerns. My predecessor and I raised the impact of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions directly with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The changes affect the public sector and businesses alike and have served only to apply more pressure to already constrained budgets and bottom lines. <BR /> <BR />It is disappointing that there has been no change in approach from the Westminster Government, despite challenges from me and my counterparts in Scotland and Wales as well as from the business and voluntary and community sectors.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Every Member who spoke was supportive of the principles of the legislation, and I look forward to working with the Committee as the legislation progresses.”
“A number of Members raised the issue of legacy. It should be retrospective. Again, that will form part of the consultation process, but it is important that it is retrospective. There may be some technicalities and legislation around that that we may need to be conscious of, but my hope is that we have a retrospective scheme. <BR /> <BR />Mr Frew referred to various clauses. The officials have taken note and will engage with you on that, so that you have the answers in your head ahead of the Committee Stage. There are other issues that need further explanation and discussion with you, but let us look at the issues and see whether the responses that you receive are satisfactory. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the tone of the debate.”
“If we can help to ease that pain in any way with the legislation, it is a good move forward for the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />A number of Members, including Mr Frew, questioned whether we would have time to bring the scheme forward within this year. We have to be ambitious about it, and the Health Minister is keen for us to work together on it. His officials are keen to work with my officials on how we move the scheme forward. I will do everything in my power to deliver the scheme this year. It will depend on how long it takes to get the legislation through the Assembly etc, but, if we can conduct that consultation in tandem, let us do that; let us move as quickly as we possibly can. <BR /> <BR />The use of language will form part of the consultation. How to use the language and the language that is used is an important point.”
“However, where those couples are neither married nor in a civil partnership, a restriction based on where the treatment took place applies. Resolving that matter is likely to require engagement with the UK Government on the HFE Act. We intend to return to that matter once the Bill has been progressed. The Member may wish to bring forward an amendment. I do not know whether it would be within the scope of the Bill, but, again, I am happy to engage with the Member further on that, and my officials will do likewise. <BR /> <BR />As for other Members' contributions, all Members referred to the personal nature of the legislation. Kellie outlined her life experience and that of so many people. People refer to it, saying, "We go through this, sometimes in silence, others not knowing, and couples suffer on their own".”
“I suspect that that is a regular instalment in such legislation, but, even if a future Minister was to plan to introduce a charge, it would have to be brought before the Assembly. Therefore, the Assembly would have the final say on those matters. It is only right that we follow the examples of other jurisdictions and do not introduce a charge. <BR /> <BR />On the matter of IVF and registration, the Member will be aware that, under Westminster legislation, parents who undertake fertility treatment have different registration rights depending on their marital status and where they receive treatment. Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, married or civil partner couples may name two parents on the birth certificate, irrespective of where the treatment took place.”
“However, it is a sensible adaptation of legislation and a sensitive piece of legislation, which allows families to deal with those scenarios in those difficult moments. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, who outlined the work of the Committee and the discussions that it has had thus far. She also outlined the somewhat torturous journey that the legislation has taken. I do not think that anybody expected, when we set out on this journey, that there would be so many twists and turns, but we are on the right pathway now, and we can move forward with the legislation. <BR /> <BR />Mr Durkan's contribution set out the need for and sensitivities around the legislation. On the clause that refers to charging, it is not my intention to introduce a charge.”
“I thank Members for their contributions to the debate on the Bill. By and large, as the Deputy Speaker said, Members' contributions were very respectful and thoughtful. It is a very sensitive subject, and I have no doubt that it has an impact on many people in the Chamber and in the Building and on those who are looking in on us. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the Executive and Assembly are seen to act on the matter. The legislation is a small step forward in the recognition of those who have lost a baby at whatever stage that might have been. As was pointed out, it removes the requirement for the Coronavirus Act. Mr Frew said that we found a piece of the Coronavirus Act that he actually agreed with, which, in itself, is a major step forward.”
“Professor Holtham, as one of the people who was involved in the review of the Wales formula, is very familiar with the process. He has a lot of casework and documentation to build on and learn from, so I am confident that he will be able to carry out the task and provide us with the independent oversight that is required.”
“I do not think that we will see the significant Barnett consequentials that we witnessed last year, but I suspect that there will be a flow of Barnett consequentials from the spending review in June. It will be up to the Executive to decide where that funding goes. The Health Minister is bringing a plan to the Executive for the release of the additional £50 million. I look forward to seeing that. If the Health Minister indicates that he could spend more than that on Programme for Government priorities, that is a question that will have to be put to the Executive.”
“As I announced this morning, we have ring-fenced a significant amount of the Department of Health's money to tackle waiting lists. We have added £50 million to tackle waiting lists to go with the £165 million of ring-fenced funding. We have increased skills spending by £7 million, bringing it up to £15 million. We have added £15 million for special educational needs. We have ring-fenced £5 million for the protection of Lough Neagh and directed significant amounts of money towards Invest NI, through the Department for the Economy, to support and create jobs.”
“Again, it is being rolled out. The SEUPB is managing the project. Bids are being processed and hopefully funding will be issued. The PEACE programme, from its inception, has made a huge difference across all sectors and has proven to be invaluable in creating positive change across our society.”
“I attended last week's NSMC meeting on the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) as the Minister of a sponsor Department. It was a very useful engagement with my Southern counterpart and with the SEUPB on the projects and work that it is doing, which are making real differences in communities and in people's lives, supporting businesses, community projects and education projects. It has been a very important piece of work.”
“Again, the Economy Minister is leading on that. I will, of course, will work closely with her on any financial concerns or pressures that are placed on our businesses. I come back to this point: we are working in significantly constrained financial times. I cannot raise expectations beyond reality.”
“I have not yet had the opportunity to have discussions with finance Ministers from the devolved institutions. I understand that the Economy Minister is taking forward discussions with the devolved institutions in relation to the impacts of tariffs.”
“As I said earlier during my statement on the Budget, I am not going to set my spending priorities based on the latest headline or the most dramatic headline. If I follow that course, tomorrow somebody will have an even more dramatic headline than the one today, so I cannot simply disregard a business case. The business case is there to protect public funds. If the business case stacks up, well and good: I will then take the next step, along with the Justice Minister, on how we identify the £200 million to direct towards policing over a five-year period. Currently, that £200 million does not exist — it simply does not exist — so we will have to look at the situation over the spending period of that business plan. The spending review gives us a great opportunity to plan the way forward.”
“I did not hear the entire interview; I heard some of it. The Member will be aware that the Justice Minister has submitted a business case to my Department. For the record, that business case is not on my desk. It is being studied by departmental officials, as is the case for any business case that comes into the Department. At the appropriate time, it will be submitted to me. Once the business case has been appropriately analysed, I will engage with the Justice Minister on the way forward.”
“In this financial year, around £21 million has been allocated. As the Member will know, the transformation fund has been profiled over five years. We are engaging with the Treasury around how that profiling will work and how it will match the ambitions and strategies of the transformation board and the Executive. We are confident that we will be able to match those two up.”
“This morning, I met Fleur Anderson, the Minister of State at the NIO, to discuss the next steps in relation to the interim public-sector transformation board. I hope to be able to go out to Executive colleagues in early summer to ask for further bids in relation to the remaining funds of around £102 million. In conjunction with that, the board and TEO are studying the digital maturity projects that have been submitted. I will appoint further members to the board and will confirm the terms of reference. The work of the board continues, and the further transformation project bids will be asked for by early summer.”
“The Programme for Government sets out a realistic programme of work for the Executive. The Budget that is set out matches that, and, as I said, we will be delivering a three-year resource Budget and a four-year capital Budget in the autumn.”
“It is time to see some paperwork that sets out what you would do differently.”
“I find that what is lacking is an alternative from the Opposition. You cannot simply stand up any more and criticise — well, you can criticise what the Executive are doing. You should challenge what the Executive are doing, and you should question what the Executive are doing, but, it is a year in, and it is time to see some paperwork from you.”
“The Budget sets out what will be financed in this financial year. As the Member will be aware, it is aligned with the Programme for Government. I look forward to being able to present the Executive with a three-year resource Budget and a four-year capital Budget in the autumn, which will further allow the Executive to fund the priorities through the Programme for Government. As I said earlier, I believe that the next three years will continue to be very challenging financially, but the fact that we can plan for three years is a game changer.”
“As the Member said, I literally received the report in my inbox today. I will study it closely. Obviously, we want to carry out whatever measures we can to support businesses moving forward. We already provide considerable support for businesses through our various rate relief schemes. We talked earlier about the Back in Business scheme. We will see what additional support is achievable within the limited resources available to the Executive at this time.”
“I have received today a copy of the report on the cost of doing business from the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC), which I will consider. The study was commissioned following concerns raised in the aftermath of the British Chancellor's autumn Budget. The research has looked at the impact of labour, energy, property, transport, materials and insurance costs on sectors and by business size, as well as the VAT differential for the hospitality sector on the island. The report provides me with a strong, independent evidence base on which to present a case to Treasury ahead of the June spending review. I will also share it with my ministerial colleagues, as the impacts will be felt by employers in the private and public sectors, including voluntary, community and healthcare providers.”
“The baby loss certificate scheme is intended to recognise the grief and pain that many families feel in the event of the loss of a baby in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Although a certificate cannot undo that suffering, the scheme will recognise and validate their loss, which is often a very private matter, in the same way in which stillbirth certificates and death certificates do. The scheme will be entirely voluntary, with no legal requirement to record the loss. The resulting certificates will have no legal standing but provide a formal means of recognising the loss and its impact.”
“The Member will be aware that the baby loss certificate scheme has been taken forward as quickly as possible to give bereaved families the opportunity to have formal recognition of their loss. I want all parents and families who have suffered the devastating loss of a baby to feel that their grief is recognised. The Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill, which will provide a power to make regulations, is, as the Member is aware, being discussed at its Second Stage in the Assembly today.”
“I cannot give the Member a time frame at this stage. The work is at an early stage. It is important, for the very reason that the Member gave when she spoke about Tell Us Once, to assist grieving families at that most awful of times immediately after a death. I will update the Member with more information, but I agree with the campaign's objectives.”
“The General Register Office has data-sharing arrangements in place with several agencies that enable death registration data to be provided to it. Those data-sharing arrangements enable the transfer of information weekly or monthly and contain only the data items permitted by data-sharing legal powers and agreed with the organisation in the relevant data-sharing agreement. There are no arrangements in place to notify agencies and statutory bodies automatically when a death is registered. GRO officials are currently scoping out legislative pathways that will allow for increased data-sharing arrangements. However, it will take time to progress that work and put the necessary legislation in place.”
“The £1·3 billion investment in the four city and growth deals will support significant shifts in many of our indicators, such as improving regional balance, creating employment opportunities and increasing productivity. Across the four deals, there are 50 projects at full business case stage. Each project will specify the benefits to be realised from it. Identified benefits will include job creation, where appropriate. One of the benefits of the city deals has been the collaboration that has taken place between the Assembly and the Executive and councils in delivering the projects. Having that local dimension at council level has been vital. The delivery of the projects will make real changes to people's daily lives, to the economy and to the well-being of citizens.”
“The A4 Enniskillen bypass project, part of the Mid South West growth deal, is in delivery, as funding was made available for that project by the Executive in February 2024.”
“There has been significant progress across the four city and growth deals, with many positive milestones achieved over the past year. The Belfast region city deal is in delivery phase, with legally binding contracts for funding, planning permission and construction commencing across many of the projects. Derry City and Strabane District Council city deal signed its deal in September 2024. The council is finalising the required deal documentation and working on legally binding contracts for the most advanced projects, which will allow funding to flow. The Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal and the Mid South West growth deal signed heads of agreement last year and are working on outline business cases to progress towards deal signing.”
“That sounds like a Department for the Economy programme, but I am more than happy to work with any Minister to see how we can support businesses, bring our high streets back and create innovative businesses and employment. I await the final draft of the cost of doing business report, which will be beneficial in the discussions.”
“I urge anyone who plans to start a business or expand their existing business to consider setting up in an empty unit and availing themselves of the rate support on offer through the Back in Business scheme.”
“Since the relaunch of the Back in Business scheme in May 2024, 36 businesses have benefited from the 50% rates discount, providing more than £93,000 in rate support. The Back in Business scheme aims to bring vibrancy, footfall and investment back to high streets while providing businesses with a boost at the start of their business journey, helping to support jobs and bringing long-term vacant units back into use. The scheme offers businesses a 50% rates discount for up to two years if they move into premises that were previously used for retail purposes and have been unoccupied for 12 months or more. <BR /> <BR />I am grateful to the Assembly for its continued support and for renewing the scheme last month.”
“No. It will be largely a desk-top review of data and provisions. It will not be that type of review. The time frame would not allow for that. It will really be about accessing papers and data to bring forward the report.”
“Yes, it is. The time frame is set not by us but by the terms of the spending review. The work that has been carried out across various reports, including the work of the Fiscal Council, provides a good platform for Professor Holtham to work on. He will have access to all the data and will come to independent conclusions. The time frame is not ideal, but it is achievable.”
“It is the general view of Executive colleagues that, while it is welcome that we now receive funding at 124%, the level of need here is greater than that and that Professor Holtham's review is timely, given the spending review. It is clear that we have been underfunded for many years. I am old enough to remember that, when we used to call for more funding, we were accused of going to Downing Street with a begging bowl in our hand. It has been proven that we were, in fact, correct all along: we were underfunded. <BR /> <BR />If we are to drag our public services up to an appropriate level, we need the funding to do that. We need that funding to support those working in our public services who, despite all the pressures that are thrown at them daily, go above and beyond the call of duty to help our citizens.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 7 and 12 together. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that Professor Holtham is conducting an independent review of our level of need. That work is essential if we are to make the case to the British Government for a higher relative need factor to be included in our funding arrangements. Professor Holtham's review is ongoing, and I expect a report from him later this month in order to inform phase 2 of the spending review, which is due to conclude in June 2025. <BR /> <BR />Officials in my Department are providing technical and administrative support to Professor Holtham as he requires it. It is essential that the Executive are funded fairly and sustainably to enable us to deliver the public services that our people deserve. That is my focus and the purpose of the work.”