Paul Frew
North Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for that intervention. Nevertheless, there are concerns that I want to address. The Minister and the departmental officials will know that, even from the range of questions that I have asked. We need to make sure that we get the balance correct.”
“In the written and oral evidence received then, the Committee was advised of potential amendments that the Minister may table at Consideration Stage, including an amendment to remove the commissioner that is being considered in liaison with OLC.”
“That in itself causes some victims and witnesses bother, because they are in a system that they are not part of, which means that they do not get the support that they require. That can sometimes leave them feeling retraumatised, as though they have been put through the wringer again.”
“The Bill makes provision to offer those protections and provide clarity to victims that they do not have to face their perpetrator in court. <BR /> <BR />Members asked questions about a range of matters, including the independence of the office, the ability to review the performance of any future commissioner, the costs of establishing th…”
“I thank the Minister for her intervention. She was absolutely right to take that action, as it means that victims' voices are right at the heart of the matters under discussion. It is now obvious to us that that should have been done years ago, but it is good that it is being done now.”
“Officials explained that the Bill would legislate on the disclosure regime not to prevent an application for disclosure but to set out a process whereby the defence would have to show the relevance of the information that it was requesting. That is an important protection.”
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“I thank the Member for his question. The imposition of the protocol is doing so much damage to our businesses and our trade, especially between GB and Northern Ireland. It is hurting our businesses incredibly, no matter to where they export. They find crippling factors, such as needing to employ people to fill out paperwork and planning new routes, which is costly: in fact, routes and products are sometimes completely closed off to some of our businesses. It is the protocol that is doing damage to those businesses. <BR /> <BR />I am happy for the Member to write to me about providers reimposing roaming charges. He has submitted a couple of questions for written answer that have yet to be answered, so I will take a keen interest in how they are answered. Let us see whether we can get something resolved.”
“It is vital that Northern Ireland businesses can remain competitive in the UK internal market. I want to resolve the issues so that we can continue to demonstrate that Northern Ireland is an exceptional place in which to invest and so that we can ensure that our businesses can grow their exports to their key markets, whether those be in the UK, the EU or beyond.”
“<BR /> <BR />Exports rely on inputs, and many of our businesses, no matter where they sell to, rely on purchases from GB. A key foundation to exporting is first resolving the well-documented issue around trading goods between GB and Northern Ireland. Until that is resolved, we cannot resolve issues with the protocol and the damage that it causes. Businesses are raising concerns about the additional workload and cost associated with the new requirement for supplementary declarations. They are complex in nature, and I am concerned about the impact that the requirement is having on already struggling businesses across Northern Ireland. The ending of grace periods poses the risk of further cliff edges for our businesses. It is vital that the issues are resolved and that we do not see further barriers arise due to divergence.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In my role, as he would expect, I want to grow our businesses, seek investment and increase our exports to all markets. Investment, trade and exports are one of the four key planks of my Department's economic recovery action plan. <BR /> <BR />My Department recently published a further paper on trade and investment for a 10X Economy. The paper sets out how DFE will engage widely to co-develop clear targets for our trade and investment ambitions and to define the actions needed to bring them to life. It sets it out in black and white that Northern Ireland is a great place to work and do business, for all sorts of reasons. My Department, along with Invest NI, has never stopped promoting that message all around the world.”
“That is a unique position, compared with any other sector of our economy and trade. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the scheme gets rolled out as quickly as possible to those people, many of whom are in my constituency, which I share with the Member, and that they are supported as quickly as possible. I hope that we can lift restrictions and open up their industry as quickly as possible so that it can flourish again. I welcome the placing of a number of countries on the green list. I have an issue with the fact that countries can be put back on to a red or amber list. That impacts on confidence in the market. For businesses and people alike, there has to be a better and safer way. I am happy to explore any way in which we can support the industry.”
“I thank my colleague from North Antrim for the question. I sat on the Finance Committee with him, and I enjoyed my time there. He is right: the sector should be supported. The Executive Office is taking forward that scheme. It would be inappropriate for me to do something on the back of that. I would like to see that money rolled out as soon as possible. I certainly will ask why, considering the achievements of the Department for the Economy and the £513 million that it has rolled out, it is taking so long. I would like to see that money going to support travel agents, who so badly need it. Let us be clear: travel agents have had a really tough time, not only because of the loss of trade and the collapse of the market but because they had to remain open not to trade but to give back money.”
“I undertake to look at that and assess it. If the Member wants to write to me, I will certainly pick that up and take a look at it.”
“It would be such a loss to everyone, not only for the local community but for tourism coming in, if they could not avail themselves of the opportunity to see that museum and all its artefacts. The museum is very dear to my heart.”
“There are many other schemes, including: £50·7 million through the large tourism and hospitality business support scheme; £4 million for the hospitality sector under the wet pubs scheme; and £1·8 million through the bed and breakfast, guesthouse and guest accommodation scheme. <BR /> <BR />With regard to additional financial support, it will be for the Executive collectively to determine how any COVID-related funding is allocated as we progress through the road map and the lifting of restrictions. <BR /> <BR />The Member mentioned the museum in Ballyclare. I visited that very good museum. I was saddened to hear the news over the last number of days, and I hope that the museum can find a settled home and get the support that it requires.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The tourism sector is vital. The Executive took immediate action to enable businesses to survive the impact of the pandemic, including implementing a range of financial support schemes to support businesses, including in the tourism and hospitality sector. My Department alone provided over £313 million of financial assistance to 47,128 applicants via a range of schemes. That included £20·7 million for the hospitality sector and £1·2 million for the tourism sector through the £25,000 retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure grant scheme.”
“<BR /> <BR />Marketing activity is under way to encourage people to holiday here by reminding them of the great visitor attractions, accommodation and hospitality that sits on our doorstep. That will be complemented later in the year by a £2 million holiday at home voucher scheme. That activity is specifically aimed at supporting local businesses and, ultimately, saving jobs. <BR /> <BR />The tourism industry has been incredibly resilient, and bookings so far look very positive. Partnering with key stakeholders, I am determined to deliver on that phase of the action plan to ensure that the tourism sector can emerge and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and the harmful restrictions that have been imposed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. With the relaxation of many COVID restrictions, the tourism sector is beginning its positive recovery from the challenging period of lockdown. We need further restrictions to be lifted as soon as possible, and we look forward to 5 July. <BR /> <BR />Phase 2 of the tourism recovery action plan was launched last month. It has been developed in collaboration with Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland, regional and local government stakeholders, representative bodies and the tourism industry. It contains a comprehensive package of measures to support the regrowth of the tourism sector. Those include measures designed to stimulate consumer demand, enhance the capability of businesses and the skills of the workforce and create a supportive policy environment.”
“It is £4·5 million of support through ministerial direction, and it is vital that we maintain those links to GB not only for tourism but for commuter travel, especially when it comes to visiting family and friends throughout this country. It was very important that the scheme was rolled out as soon as possible. It started at the beginning of June. We had to instil confidence as soon as we could, which is why we had to go down the ministerial direction route.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is critical that we get this good news story out there, to be fair. NIDAKS aims to support inbound tourism and business travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and to encourage inward investment into the local economy. These are essential for Northern Ireland's recovery. We have engaged with our three local airports and the airlines in the development of NIDAKS, and the Department has launched it to deliver on our commitments to support Northern Ireland’s domestic air connectivity with GB as soon as the required approvals are secured. I have spoken to the airports, and I know that they are very thankful for that, as are the airlines involved.”
“I think that we could well be in for a critical couple of months as we come in to the winter months, and it is important that all restrictions that can be lifted are lifted to ensure that markets can activate and work as they should without any government interference. I think that that is important, and I will certainly be pushing for that support for our industries so that they will be allowed to get on with their business safely and productively and so that we will, hopefully, get the economy back up and running sooner rather than later.”
“The Member raises a very important issue. It is widely accepted that the coronavirus job retention scheme and the self-employment income support scheme, which are both currently scheduled to end in September of this year, have been instrumental in avoiding mass unemployment. It is clear that both the furlough and the self-employed schemes are essential and must remain in place as we move into a sustainable economic recovery. I will be seeking to engage with the UK Government on how these schemes can be maintained to protect industries that are still impacted by restrictions. I hope that that will enhance and go alongside any work that my Department can do, with regard to its recovery plan going forward, to support businesses and to support jobs.”
“Our domestic and international air connectivity is critical both for the local tourism sector and for the wider economy, especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. NIDAKS is a support scheme for airlines that is being developed by the Department and is aimed at maintaining and enhancing Northern Ireland's air connectivity with the rest of the United Kingdom following the COVID pandemic.”
“The Department and, indeed, the Northern Ireland Executive continue to receive calls for further support packages to be put in place. The Department's focus is on the full and uninterrupted reopening of the Northern Ireland economy in line with the Executive's road map and the associated health regulations. It will be vital to instil confidence into our travel industry in the weeks ahead. I am not sure that the traffic-light scheme actually does that. I think that decisions being made like a guillotine will sap confidence, and that is not a place where we want to be. <BR /> <BR />To add to that answer, I inform the House that the Northern Ireland domestic aviation kickstart scheme (NIDAKS) has now launched.”
“I thank the Member for her supplementary question. Since March 2020, the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government have introduced an unprecedented number of interventions and packages of financial support to help those who have been affected by the consequences of COVID-19. My Department has led in the delivery of business-related support, providing over £513 million of much-needed funds to support local businesses from all sectors and occupations throughout Northern Ireland, with the primary aim of helping those businesses to survive the pandemic and protect as many local jobs as possible. <BR /> <BR />Despite the unprecedented level of support that has been offered, some businesses and individuals continue to be negatively impacted.”
“However, it will be for the Executive collectively to determine how any COVID-related funding is allocated as we progress through the road map and lifting restrictions, which, in my eyes, is the most important thing. We must make sure that we can have confidence injected into the market for travel agents.”
“<BR /> <BR />As well as availing themselves of the Executive Office Travel Agents (Coronavirus) Financial Assistance Scheme 2021, I am aware that some travel agents, subject to the respective criteria, have been able to avail themselves of business support grant schemes introduced by my Department, such as the £10,000 small business support scheme; the £25,000 retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure scheme; the micro-business hardship fund; and, more recently, part B of the COVID restrictions business support scheme. <BR /> <BR />Despite the unprecedented level of financial support that has and is being offered, the Department appreciates that there are some businesses and individuals who continue to be severely negatively impacted, with travel agents being one of them.”
“I understand the difficulties that travel agents continue to face in light of the ongoing travel restrictions. However, support for the sector is being taken forward by the Executive Office. In March, TEO introduced the Travel Agents (Coronavirus) Financial Assistance Scheme 2021, which provided a grant payment of £10,000 to travel agent businesses operating from commercial premises or a £3,500 payment to self-employed travel agents working from home.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Many aspects and factors affect the flow of people and workers throughout the world. One of them is exchange rates. In my experience over the last number of weeks, where there are skill shortages and people are trying to find workers and staff, I have found that Brexit is not necessarily the main issue. The main issue is skill shortages and people who are on furlough and who then get different jobs. If there are people who have left these shores, it seems that was to do with exchange rates, rather than Brexit.”
“High-potential start-ups may also apply to five equity and debt funds as part of Invest NI's access to finance portfolio. That comprises the Northern Ireland small business loan fund, which has support totalling £8 million; the growth loan fund, which has £30 million; the growth finance fund, which has £30 million; and Techstart NI, which has £30 million. There is also Co-Fund NI, which has £70 million. Those are the support branches and support schemes that will help start-up businesses in the weeks ahead.”
“It is important to state that restrictions hurt new start-ups. They damage confidence in the people taking that step to open up a new business because they do not know whether there is a market there for them, whether they will be placed under restrictions by government or whether they have a footfall to spend or trade in. It is very important that confidence is injected into all sectors of our economy, and I will work towards opening up the economy in its completeness over the next couple of weeks. <BR /> <BR />Invest NI start-up financial support is focused on businesses that intend to sell outside Northern Ireland. Such businesses can also access support for product development, skills development, market development, strategy development and consultancy, as well as support for job creation.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is a man after my own heart. I enjoyed my time with him on the Finance Committee, and I will miss that aspect of my work. He is right. There are supports for start-up businesses, even during these challenging times.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us be clear: the protocol is damaging and brutal and is being used as punishment and leverage for future negotiations with the UK Government. Northern Ireland is in the middle of that, and some people here are complicit in that. That has really frustrated the businesses that I have spoken to over the last number of weeks.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My Department and Invest NI are all about support and supporting businesses. They will continue to do that and will have my full support. In visiting businesses, even over the last two weeks, I have seen that, whilst there might be advantages — slight advantages — for some businesses, they are being hampered when they try to buy in stock from GB. Even if they can get any sort of advantage through a twin-track approach or by selling into different markets, the fact that they have to buy stuff from GB penalises them greatly, as does the fact that the paperwork has spiralled out of all control and that they have to employ people just to keep on top of it. That is damaging to their business cases. That is what I experienced when I was out and about visiting businesses over the last two weeks.”
“Invest NI also works with other stakeholders in the start-up ecosystem, including councils, universities, further education colleges, incubators, enterprise agencies, tech starts, catalysts and special interest groups, such as Women in Business, to provide support to business start-ups. <BR /> <BR />The Member coming from where he does, I note that there are issues in his area, an area that is dear to my heart. In 2019, in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area, there were 390 start-up businesses. That could be improved. In 2017, that figure was 530. There is much work to do, and I assure the Member that I will do my best to enhance his area and all of Northern Ireland. When all of Northern Ireland works best, we all work best.”
“I thank my colleague for his supplementary question. I have no problem visiting him in Limavady to see the work of the college and other businesses. It is a nice part of the world. I have been there many times, and I have spent a lot of time in Magilligan Point and up Binevenagh. I am sure that the Member will not take me up Binevenagh, but I would be interested to see some of the businesses and the innovative work that businesses and colleges are doing at this time. <BR /> <BR />I should add that other support mechanisms are available. For example, the Propel Pre-Accelerator programme is funded by Invest NI and delivered by Ignite, a UK-based start-up support and investment network. The programme offers workshops, tutorials, networking opportunities, mentoring, financial support and access to investment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Invest NI has provided £16·4 million to local businesses through the local economic development measure over the past three years to deliver the scheme. Councils have provided an additional £3·6 million, reaching a total investment of around £20 million. To date, over 12,000 business plans have been completed to support people planning to start their own businesses. That must be welcomed. Invest NI also provides a comprehensive range of information on new business start-ups on its website.”
“I thank my colleague for his important question. A wide range of financial and advisory support is available from Invest NI and other organisations for people who are considering starting a business. The Northern Ireland business start-up programme is part-funded by the 11 councils, Invest NI and the European regional development fund (ERDF) under the investment for growth and jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) programme and promoted under the Go For It brand. The programme is delivered by Northern Ireland's 11 councils and is available to all potential new start-up businesses. The programme provides one-to-one support from an experienced business adviser, with help to develop a practical business plan and referrals to follow-on support options.”
“I want to see that continuing and being enhanced, so that we can move on as a society, because domestic abuse is a societal ill that needs to be tackled. People need to be made aware of it, not least in the workplace.”
“I know that the Member has a question in the schedule. She is getting in first, in case I do not get that far. I commend the Member for those skills. <BR /> <BR />The Member will know how important that issue is to me, having worked with the Member on the Justice Committee. I will commit to the Member to looking at that in the days and weeks ahead. It is important to me that workers and victims of domestic violence are protected and that their employers treat them with respect and dignity and allow them the freedom that they should have when they suffer domestic violence. It is a horrendous crime, and it needs to be resolved. I see, throughout society, that employers can and do help at times of stress for victims of domestic violence.”
“I want it to focus on the competitive prices and costs. I would not use the words "low paid"; I would talk about "competitive pay". Ensuring that people have good, decent jobs to return to after the pandemic is vital to me and my Department.”
“I was also pleased that Members debated and approved legislation to extend an important protection to workers so that they have a right not to suffer detriment in the workplace in relation to actions that they may take to protect themselves or others where they reasonably believe that there is serious or imminent danger. Members will also be aware of the good progress on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill. Collectively, those actions highlight the importance that my Department places on protecting workers' rights. As we look to the longer term, I wish to ensure that all our employment legislation continues to take account of workers' needs, while balancing the needs of businesses, at this difficult time and beyond. <BR /> <BR />Invest NI has an important job in promoting Northern Ireland throughout the world.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is important. I recognise that the pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses and workers. My Department's priority in respect of employment law has been to protect those immediately affected by the pandemic. To date, my Department has legislated to protect workers' rights by ensuring that statutory family-related payments and various statutory entitlements connected with redundancy or the termination of employment are based on normal pay rather than furlough pay. Legislation has also been introduced to allow workers who are unable to take holiday leave as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak to carry over up to four weeks of their annual leave into the next two leave years.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In my short time in the Department, I have been advised that there is a process to follow for such disputes and for questions of who is the governing body with regard to pay. I give the Member my commitment that I will study that process to see where the Department and I can be helpful. There may be a place for us in it. I would not want to do anything to jeopardise a successful outcome for all involved in the dispute.”
“The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill also recently passed its Second Stage. Members will agree that that will bring in an important new employment right for parents in Northern Ireland who, sadly, suffer the loss of a child. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of other commitments made in 'New Decade, New Approach' on further employment rights. Faced with the need to respond to the COVID crisis, it has simply not been possible to progress all of them in that time. Northern Ireland already has a robust framework of employment rights in place, however. We will keep that under review in the months ahead.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Ensuring that workers have jobs to go back to is my foremost priority as we look to recover from the damage inflicted on our economy by the pandemic. The economic recovery action plan that my Department is delivering will help protect jobs. We must not lose sight of that as being the most fundamental of all employment rights. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased, however, to reflect on some of the other work that my Department has taken forward to protect workers' rights. Legislation was introduced to ensure that redundancy and other payments for employees were based on normal pay rather than on furloughed pay. Last week, the House approved legislation extending vital health and safety protections to all workers that previously applied only to employees.”
“It is a very important order, and I hope that the Assembly will join me in supporting it.”
“It also includes the right not to be subject to detriment for taking steps to protect themselves or others, again:”
“I thank Members for their consideration of the order. Limb (b) worker status allows for flexibility in the labour market whilst providing day-one worker rights and protections. Workers play a key role in our economy. In many cases, workers have been front and centre in helping us to meet the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and, no doubt, they will continue to play an important role as we seek to rebuild our economy. It is imperative and only fair that we take the appropriate steps to ensure their safety. <BR /> <BR />The order will ensure that employees and workers alike are protected from detriment in health and safety cases in the workplace. As I previously stated, that includes having the right:”
“I am most grateful to my predecessor, Minister Dodds, for bringing forward this important legislation and to the Economy Committee for its scrutiny of the order. I urge the Assembly to support the motion. I hope that I have provided the House with sufficient explanation of the purpose of the order and will, of course, respond to any points made by Members in my closing remarks.”
“That includes protecting them from being denied normal promotion, training opportunities or the refusal to pay seniority bonuses. <BR /> <BR />The court also held that the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 should be extended to limb (b) workers. I understand that officials at the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland have begun work to consult on and extend those regulations to all workers, with a view to further legislation being laid later this year. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, in my new role as Minister with responsibility for employment law, I wish to protect workers' rights and support businesses, employees and workers through the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The protections are invaluable for employees and workers who have continued to work throughout the pandemic and for those who are returning to work as businesses emerge from lockdown. <BR /> <BR />Many will, undoubtedly, have a significant role to play in our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The order will provide our most vulnerable workers with the legal protection that they need to act to ensure their safety and the safety of others without the fear of suffering a detriment for doing the right thing. It is only equitable that our workers have the same legal protections from detriment as employees. We want them to do the right thing by taking the necessary steps to protect their safety and that of others and to protect them from suffering a detriment when they do so.”
“Ministers in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy introduced similar legislation, the Employment Rights Act 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order 2021, which came into force in England, Scotland and Wales, in parallel with the Northern Ireland order, on 31 May 2021. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the judicial decision may have been a catalyst for the change, the order is about more than responding to a High Court ruling. It will provide greater clarity for businesses and employers generally about their responsibilities. As limb (b) workers represent a small share of the workforce, the direct cost to business of any changes is expected to be very low. However, that does not make the order any less important.”
“In November 2020, the High Court found that the UK had not fully implemented the EU health and safety framework directive into domestic law in section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. It concluded that some protections that apply only to employees should also extend to limb (b) workers. The court accepted that the UK was not required to extend unfair dismissal provisions to limb (b) workers and that it had properly implemented the general obligations of the health and safety framework directive. <BR /> <BR />Having considered the court judgement, my predecessor, Minister Dodds, decided to amend article 68(1)(d) and (e) of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 in order to ensure that workers in Northern Ireland can enjoy those important rights in the same way as employees.”
“Those important provisions, however, have not previously applied to workers. <BR /> <BR />Members may wish to note that the equivalent protections for employees in England, Scotland and Wales are enshrined in sections 44(d) and (e) of the Employment Rights Act 1996. In May 2020, the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain brought a judicial review against the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain. I understand that the union has around 5,000 members who are predominantly classed as workers. They include individuals involved in occupations such as taxi and private hire drivers, chauffeurs, bus and coach drivers, van drivers and couriers.”
“Employees are also given the right not to be subject to detriment for taking steps to protect themselves or others from danger that they:”