Pam Lewis
South Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Indeed, I thank her for the assistance that she, as Minister of Justice, gave my constituents Kathryn and Aaron McCollum following the tragic death of their much-loved husband and father. Her assistance was deeply appreciated.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I very much welcome the amendment to the Justice Bill on this subject, and I thank my colleagues across the Chamber for the good work that they have done on it. What cost is the PSNI carrying for the seizure, storage and disposal of those vehicles? Is that cost creating a barrier to enforcement?”
“It progresses 18 recommendations from the independent review of charity regulation, with a focus on a more risk-based approach that promotes trust and accountability without placing undue burdens on charities.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak as a member of the Communities Committee at Second Stage of the Charities (Amendment) Bill. I thank the Minister and the Chair of the Committee for outlining the details of the Bill.”
“The public must have confidence that charitable funds are being used properly, that trustees understand their responsibilities and that there is effective oversight when misconduct or mismanagement occurs.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the streamlining of accounting and reporting requirements. For small charities, administration can be a real challenge and burden.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,907 lines we hold for Pam Lewis, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 17 of 39.
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I completely agree with him. <BR /> <BR />The protocol is not fit for purpose, is not as good as it gets and is not the best of both worlds. It is damaging to our constituents, and, as such, I urge others in the House to work with us for better. <BR /> <BR />The next number of months are going to pose more challenges from COVID. Thankfully, however, we can now place more focus on other challenges that the health service is facing.”
“I thank the Deputy Speaker for the extra minute, which I will not be needing. The protocol as it impacts on the delivery of healthcare is a protocol that is not fit for purpose.”
“We would welcome a more detailed breakdown of where those costs are rising, to what extent the 12-month derogation is masking further financial and logistical problems and the fuller potential impact of the Department having to reorientate to source supplies from markets outside the United Kingdom.”
“I fear, however, that we may hear some speaking out of both sides of the mouth, with people saying, "We regard the health service as our number-one priority" while pursuing a narrow political agenda at the behest of the loudest voices in our electoral base. That is a test for this place. It is a test for leaders really to decide what is important and to work for all of the community rather than for the few. <BR /> <BR />In that vein, we must address another budgetary challenge facing our health service, and that is the impact of the protocol. Significantly, a £10 million resource bid has been made to address the impact of pressures associated with EU exit and the protocol, including medicine price rises.”
“There are unprecedented demands on our health service: the resumption of services; the need for reform; and the need to remunerate our staff at an acceptable level for the work that they do, the care that they provide and their professionalism, skill and expertise. The needs of patients and all staff must be met. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the proposed summit on waiting lists that was agreed at the party leaders' forum last week, but we need to be in no doubt that the talking done at the summit will need to be resourced. We must share the political will and find consensus to make significant inroads into the mountains of referrals sitting on desks around our health service. I hope that we can all set aside our party political interests and back up our claims that waiting lists and our health service need to be our top priority.”
“I am speaking as a DUP member of the Health Committee. There is no doubt that the challenges facing our health service are unprecedented, and, as such, we must look for unprecedented levels of support for our health service. We have all heard the figures for our waiting lists, and they are heartbreaking. Every person on the waiting lists represents a health need. Every one of them, because of the wait, is living with the worry and pain of a worsening condition and with doubt about their health outcome. Above all else, it is our duty to ensure that we do all that we can to lift that burden from the shoulders of those whom we represent in this place. <BR /> <BR />Additional allocations through monitoring rounds, such as the £50 million set aside in June, are very welcome. They are only a drop in the ocean of what is required, however.”
“The Minister may already have answered my question, but, obviously, teenage suicides are a terrible tragedy in our society. Will the Minister outline how many of those critical incident school interventions related specifically to suicide?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Does she recognise that, for the deaf community, translation is not an added luxury to communication but simply provides the most basic access to information to which those of us who do not suffer from hearing loss have full access? Surely she agrees that it is completely unacceptable that those who cannot hear have no access to the public information to which they are entitled, including the proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly.”
“I thank the Minister for his very detailed answer. Obviously, there is a great renewed interest in biodiversity, especially given the last year. Can the Minister tell us a bit more about the actions that he is taking to increase overall biodiversity?”
“When are we gong to stop insulting those with autism and their families and decide what really matters in this country? The term "Tory austerity" will be parroted by many across the House today, but we cannot complain about austerity when we continue to prioritise vanity projects for votes. That is for all of us to consider. On all sides of the House, let us get real. Let us spend wisely what money we do have. We are all familiar with the phrase, "every pound is a prisoner", and that should be our approach to the use of our public money.”
“That issue needs greater funding levels if the needs of our constituents are to be met. The lack of certainty on funding yet again hinders our drive to reform and to do what we all know needs to be done. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I will raise an issue as the chair of the all-party group on autism. Last week, it was revealed that almost one in 20 schoolchildren in Northern Ireland has an autism diagnosis, yet the budgets that are allocated for addressing the needs of our autism community in school and outside of it are a drop in the ocean. We all join rallies and share posts on autism week, but, when it comes to funding sensory facilities or building stadiums, we pour money into stadiums. When it comes to funding speech and language therapy or minority languages, we pour millions into the latter. Where is the perspective?”
“Key to pursuing that agenda are multi-year Budgets. Making that transition is in the interests of more strategic spending decisions and stands to encourage greater scrutiny of expenditure. It is important that no stone be left unturned in ensuring that the current spending review ushers in a three-year Budget. <BR /> <BR />We all know the limitations of in-year monitoring rounds and one-year Budgets and the impact that they have on planning. Stopgaps and temporary fixes go only so far. The culture needs to change. That is particularly important for health transformation and the implementation of commitments contained in 'New Decade, New Approach'. I fully agree with those who responded to the consultation by expressing concern around funding for social care.”
“If we want the best health service for our people, yes, we need funding, but we also need reform. What we have talked about in this place year after year must now be progressed: no excuses. It is hard to ignore the fact that health and social care accounts for half of day-to-day spending this year, at just under £6·5 billion. What more evidence do we need to underline the need for reform and transformation? We all know from constituents who contact us in despair just how bad things are with waiting lists. Given estimates that it will take in the region of £750 million to £1 billion to tackle the elective waiting lists alone, it is clear that the funding impetus for the long-term change that is needed is simply not there at present. That cannot be an excuse to stop the smaller steps that we can take, however.”
“I will focus my remarks on our Health Department budget. If there was ever a year in which we have seen just how important funding for our health service is, the past 12 months have been it. Unprecedented demand has been met with unprecedented levels of financial support. It has been a time when the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom have been so clear. Although those who foolishly wish to end that Union may not acknowledge it, they cannot argue otherwise. <BR /> <BR />As we now emerge from the pandemic, thanks to the sacrifices of our people, the heroic actions of our healthcare workers and the wonders of science, we must look at the future of our health and social care provision. The current model in Northern Ireland is unsustainable.”
“My message to the AERA Minister and the Infrastructure Minister is to do just that. Refuse that planning proposal and find a new way forward on waste that is fit for 2021 and beyond.”
“In any scheme that requires such vast sums of public money, we must be absolutely certain that the benefit justifies the cost. To lumber hard-pressed households with a bill of around £2 billion over 35 years in gate fees to Arc21 to mechanically treat and incinerate their waste offers no such benefit in return. There are so many questions, relating to design, procurement and so on, about how we got to this stage that justifying the furtherance of the project is simply impossible. <BR /> <BR />The AERA Minister understands many of those points and has expressed his concerns about the proposal. I commend him for not bowing to the extensive campaign to progress the scheme. However, for the people living in the area, we need to bring the whole issue to a conclusion.”
“<BR /> <BR />This is an outdated project, outdated in the evidence of need and outdated in its very operation. Some of the proposed technology and processes date back to 2008. Things have moved on considerably since then. Arc21 proposes mechanical biological treatment alongside the incinerator, but that is now a process of the past. It represents neither best practice nor value for money.”
“The answer to that is clear: it is not needed. Thankfully, we now live in a society in which recycling is the done thing. Recycling rates have increased to 55%, with the target of reaching 65% in 2035. I know that that is an issue that the AERA Minister has been keen to drive forward, with renewed focus on promoting recycling. The consequence of that trend is a substantial reduction in landfill. Rates have fallen to just over 20%, with a target of 10% by 2035. We need to use existing facilities, such as those in Belfast harbour, to manage the reducing amount of landfill that we produce. Having excess capacity will serve only to be counterproductive, reducing the onus on society to reuse and recycle. That is the outcome that none of us should desire if we really care about our environment.”
“I commend my constituency colleague Dr Aiken on securing the debate. This is a matter on which we agree wholeheartedly; indeed, as the House will hear, there is a collective voice among those elected to this place to represent the people of Mallusk. The debate is very much an opportunity for us to represent the people of that area. It is their view that the waste monster is not needed and not wanted. I want to make that clear. I commend the work of the No-ARC21 campaign group under the capable and determined voice of Colin Buick. The group has very much put the issue on the agenda and expressed opposition in a constructive and coherent way, one that is not about NIMBYism but is based on fact and the overall well-being of our society. <BR /> <BR />At the core of the issue is need: is the project needed?”
“I welcome the comments in the mental health action plan about reviewing eating disorder services and developing a new service model. I ask the Minister to ensure that the voluntary sector and those with lived experience are included in co-designing and co-producing the new regional eating disorder service model. The new model must be accompanied by measurable targets to support early access to specialist treatment, with sufficient investment to make targets achievable. The time has gone. The overriding message has to be about the need for action, not words. We need delivery, not dithering, because, as a society that spends £7 million a year on antidepressants, we have a mental health pandemic that needs life-saving intervention.”
“The number of referrals to eating disorder services increased by 43% between March 2019 and September 2020. It is a matter of concern, as, according to the draft mental health strategy, outcomes for patients with eating disorders in Northern Ireland are lower than those for patients in close jurisdictions.”
“A focus on mental health passports is key to that, particularly as we know that the incidence of illness among children and young people is increasing, and there is a requirement to be able to track previous interaction with services in order to avoid duplication of work. <BR /> <BR />I want to highlight the key issue of eating disorders. Recently, I met Nichola from Beat, which is an eating disorder charity and support organisation, and she outlined the dramatic rise in cases. Eating disorders are a serious mental illness that affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. One in six young people in Northern Ireland experiences disordered eating. In 2020, Beat received 120% more calls to its helpline from people in Northern Ireland than it did in 2019.”
“<BR /> <BR />The use of single-year budgets severely hampers the ability to plan or to develop services and the workforce. Furthermore, psychiatry and other specialisms have high staff vacancy rates, and we need to invest in graduate and training places and incentivise the expansion of the mental health workforce. <BR /> <BR />We need a specific focus on the mental health and well-being of our young people. The isolation of lockdown has exacerbated many issues. Research has shown that half of mental health disorders develop before the age of 18, so it is vital that there be a strong focus on prevention, resilience and early intervention, particularly in vulnerable families, in deprived areas and in circumstances of substance misuse. Earlier intervention in all aspects of mental illness can promote better short- and long-term outcomes.”
“We have done a great deal of talking about mental health need in Northern Ireland, but we have not necessarily backed it up with meaningful action. That can be evidenced by funding. The funding deficit for mental health services in Northern Ireland, despite our 25% higher rate of incidence, is simply not sustainable and must be addressed by a strategic, targeted investment programme moving forward. I welcome the Minister's announcement of a mental health fund, as it is long overdue. It is scandalous that, in our society, we have counselling services that do amazing, life-saving, life-improving work yet they have nowhere to turn to for funding. They turn to their local trust to battle for access to support. They turn to their council, which has no statutory basis to support mental health. Those issues need to be addressed now.”
“We understand the mental health crisis that is engulfing our society. Too often, we see lives devastated following suicide. For others, it has been about the debilitating impact of mental illness on the lives of individuals and families. There has been too much suffering and heartbreak, and there is a great need for support and intervention.”
“With your indulgence, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will make some remarks as the DUP health spokesperson. We fully support the motion and the overriding principle of achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will share a quote from Christopher Robin of 'Winnie-the-Pooh' fame:”
“The Committee will keep prioritising this issue. We look forward to seeing the mental health strategy soon and hope that it clearly outlines how the Department will address the very real issues that people face. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the Department's 'Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing' publication and the Protect Life 2 suicide prevention strategy. We underline that those strategies are key to addressing some of the issues that communities face. We need to see the Protect Life 2 strategy being resourced and monitored. Our young people need to understand that it is OK not to be OK, but that it is also OK to be OK. They are not alone. If they are struggling, I encourage our children and young people to speak to someone whom they trust: a family member, a friend or a teacher. I encourage them to connect and to share their worries and fears.”
“<BR /> <BR />We heard from a member of staff based in Beechcroft, who shared the experiences of young people who are based there and spoke of the difficulties that they face. Those include being restricted from leaving the site, having poor internet connection and having restricted access to outside space and visitation. All those difficulties have a negative effect on the mental health and well-being of vulnerable children and young people. We need to do our best to protect and support those vulnerable children and young people. <BR /> <BR />The Chair outlined the lengthy waiting list for our children and young people in accessing CAMHS. There are over 900 people on the waiting list, over 380 of whom have been waiting for over nine weeks. Supporting our young people in a timely manner must be a priority for the Minister.”
“The issues faced today are very different from the issues that we faced growing up. Today, it is all about social media and pressures relating to access to and the cost of further and higher education. <BR /> <BR />We need to listen to the children and young people. Some of their comments were challenging. They outlined that discussions about health and well-being in schools can sometimes feel like box-ticking exercises and that there can be too much talk about mental health and not enough action. The young people outlined that it may be good to provide more information and workshops on well-being through youth clubs and sporting organisations, and that that could be a route to normalising conversations on well-being.”
“They mentioned that they missed hanging out with their friends, participating in sports and going to youth clubs and discos. They spoke of the role that they and their peers play in one another's mental health and well-being. They are the ones who can identify when their friends are struggling and talk to their friends about the issues that they face. <BR /> <BR />The young people outlined that there is additional stress due to inconsistent advice about school exams. They also came up with great ideas for addressing some of those issues. They were clear that they fear not being heard and that they want to be involved in contributing to decisions that are made about them. <BR /> <BR />We need to be creative in our solutions, and our children and young people are best placed to inform policy.”
“The comments from those young people were interesting and challenging. The young people outlined their worries and fears over the periods of lockdown. Many of them were primarily concerned about the impact of COVID, not on them but on their families. They had concerns about their parents' work and businesses and the health and well-being of their parents, grandparents and siblings. That reflects very well our young people. <BR /> <BR />At that meeting, the young people talked about the difficulties that they faced during lockdown. They raised issues such as lack of access to their friends and to a normal routine. They all outlined that they find online classes difficult, and some of them mentioned that their grades suffered as a result of the change to schooling.”
“I thank all the Members and the Minister for their contributions, some of which have been very personal. I greatly appreciate them. The debate has been a good opportunity to talk about mental health and to acknowledge that we all have mental health and that, at times, our mental health may go up or down. They key point is that we need to provide support to those who need it at the time that they need it. <BR /> <BR />When making a winding-up speech, Members normally outline the comments made by other Members. Members' comments are on the record, however, and, this afternoon, I want to give a voice to the young people whom we met last week, who outlined the very real impact that lockdown has had on them. They provided their thoughts and ideas about how we can improve access to services for children and young people.”
“We all have friends and family within the common travel area, and, by now, we are desperate to see each other. We look forward to further announcements that will restore more freedoms to us. Allowing us to holiday at home must include freedom to travel within the UK in particular, given the incredible vaccination roll-out programme, in order to support our rebuilding of the economy. While we remain vigilant to new variants, we must keep moving ahead. <BR /> <BR />I again urge everyone to take up both doses of the vaccine and to continue to act responsibly. I fully support the Chair of the Health Committee's view that the test, trace, protect system must keep up the good work that it has done to date, especially in light of any new variants. I support both motions.”
“More households and larger groups must be facilitated. We need common sense to be applied in the use of new outdoor installations at restaurants and bars, given the huge investments and efforts that businesses have made to comply with the regulations. The announcement of the reopening of caravan parks was particularly welcomed by many constituents. Who knew that so many people had caravans? That freedom to return to what many refer to as their "happy place" is a huge step forward and will do much for people's mental health. <BR /> <BR />We are making great progress. Next steps must focus on human relationships. Indoor mixing to allow families to reconnect, that hug from a friend that we have all longed for, all the family getting together and seeing granny and granda inside — how special will those moments be?”
“It goes without saying, too, that the support that we have received from our Government at Westminster has been unprecedented, showing once again that we are better in the Union of the United Kingdom. We need to continue to support businesses. Key to that, of course, is increasing the number of people who are vaccinated. I encourage everyone to take up the offer of a vaccine when it comes to them. Help us to look after each other in the most supportive way possible and, in doing that, help the recovery of health and the economy. <BR /> <BR />The restoration of consumer confidence in terms of safety in shopping, eating out and heading out for a coffee or a drink with friends is vital. In this space, we need to do more to see further easing of restrictions in order to allow our hospitality industry to recover.”
“While it is OK to joke, it is also worth remembering that the sacrifice that we have asked of those in close-contact services and hospitality and their businesses has been incredible. I say thank-you to them. The role that they have played in helping to control COVID has been significant. The mitigation measures that they have put in place for continued client safety is greatly appreciated. Resumption of driving lessons and testing is also very welcome. <BR /> <BR />These regulations signal the reopening of our retail sector. Our high streets have borne the brunt of restrictions. Shutters have been down, and, sadly, some businesses have not reopened and will never reopen. I commend my party colleague Diane Dodds who, as Economy Minister, has supported so many businesses throughout Northern Ireland to stay alive and keep jobs in place.”
“I welcome the continued progress that we enjoy towards restoring freedoms and normality and towards helping us to get all aspects of our lives back. I met the announcement of the provisions in SR2021/109 with particular joy. They mean the much-awaited return of my regular visit to the hairdresser. It was most certainly justified. I thank my good friend Emma at Sheer Madness in Antrim for sorting out my lockdown hair. That and the much-anticipated event of having a bite to eat and a beer with best friends at our local make us all appreciate the simple things in life that, until this last year, we very much took for granted.”
“It is time that we all recognise the perilous implications for patients, pharmacies and local health services. I ask all those who will go to the doors of constituents over the next 12 months to back up their claims, to make health a priority and to support the motion.”
“While the protocol was championed under false pretences, the reality is that medicines and medical devices should never have been in the conversation in the first place. A permanent decoupling of public health from the protocol by the EU and the UK is long overdue. They should pursue a comprehensive mutual recognition agreement on medicines that takes the politics out of it and ensures the free flow of goods across our United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />The bottom line and minimum requirement are that medicines that are produced in Great Britain should be able to be legally used in Northern Ireland without additional barriers or hurdles. Quick fixes and tinkering at the edges of the problems will not cut the mustard. There needs to be a meaningful and sustainable replacement of the protocol.”
“No, thank you. <BR /> <BR />This is a stark example of how the EU, the Irish Government and others, even in this place, will stop at nothing to penalise the people of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The invoking of article 16 of the protocol in January ended the facade that Northern Ireland would be treated as a full and equal member of the EU single market. As Brussels considers new export controls on COVID-19 vaccines, there is no guarantee that our Province will escape the fallout. The residual threat to the domestic supply of medicines is one of the most telling examples of why the notion of the best of both worlds is a dangerous myth. <BR /> <BR />Given that there is already very little direct North/South trade in medicines because of different licensing regimes, there is minimal threat to the EU market or consumers.”
“Whilst some Members opposite will no doubt seek to dismiss those issues, their cherished protocol is depriving lung cancer patients here of the same chance of recovery as those in GB. That is absolutely scandalous.”
“That is in addition to the threat to the supply and the choices available to local health and social care services. Access to clinical trials and accessing new developments in the production of medicines, including vaccine supplies, would be threatened and, at the very least, slowed down. <BR /> <BR />Who among us feels that that is the best deal and the best for the health and well-being of those whom we represent? The rigorous implementation of the protocol, shamefully demanded by some local parties and the Irish Government, is damaging to the public health of everyone in Northern Ireland. It is not an orange or green or a Leave or Remain issue. It affects everyone.”
“I will not. Thanks. <BR /> <BR />Firms may need to build extra warehousing and hire more staff to ensure that medicines comply with both EU and UK regulations, which simply is not viable in the longer term. Given the small margins, that will not be sustainable, and some GB manufacturers report that up to 90% of medicines could be at risk of being withdrawn. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, the consequences of what the EU is demanding are likely to impact specialist illnesses particularly hard, given that smaller quantities are needed and the cost of creating an NI-only pool of products would be prohibitive. It would also disrupt direct patient supply, especially for nutritional products, such as gluten-free food, infant formula and some personal home-care products.”
“<BR /> <BR />The British Generic Manufacturers Association has made it clear that the intolerable and unsustainable position that has been foisted on us at the behest of the EU will prevent identical products from being supplied to GB and NI. It will mean that businesses will have to duplicate resources and supply lines”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. <BR /> <BR />Non-UK manufacturers are now required to appoint a UK responsible person or a Northern Ireland-authorised person, who, along with Northern Ireland manufacturers, must register devices with the MHRA before they are placed on the Northern Ireland market. Furthermore, medicines on clinical trial will follow EU regulations in NI but not in GB. With the times that we are in and us having benefited so greatly from the UK vaccination programme, it is significant that Northern Ireland will follow EU regulations on vaccines and Great Britain will not. While Members from some parties want us to follow the European vaccine programme, I think that, once again, we are better with the Union of the United Kingdom and not with the European Union.”
“Non-UK manufacturers are now required to appoint a UK-responsible person or a Northern Ireland —.”
“I will not, thank you. <BR /> <BR />That affects the packaging of the medicines, but the same requirements will not apply to products marketed in GB. The fact that the EU calls it a "grace period" is in itself an insult. <BR /> <BR />Medicines in Northern Ireland must comply with the European licence and with requirements set out by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), whilst those in Great Britain do not. <BR /> <BR />GB manufacturers that place medical devices on the Northern Ireland market must now appoint an EU- or Northern Ireland-based authorised representative. I have spoken with many suppliers in recent weeks, and they testify to intolerable levels of paperwork and bureaucracy, including issues with couriers and a substantial increase in the cost of doing business with long-standing clients in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />On 1 January next year, when the grace period ends, all medicines used in Northern Ireland will have to comply with the EU medicines directive. That affects the packaging of the medicines, but the same —.”
“In the United Kingdom, we benefit greatly from the very latest treatments and cutting-edge technology, all administered by our amazing front-line healthcare workers. Approximately 98% of medicines and medical products used in Northern Ireland are imported either from or via Great Britain. It is a life-saving supply chain, yet, because of the protocol, that free flow of medicines and medical devices is now under severe threat. Medicines moving from GB into Northern Ireland will be handled as though they are goods entering the EU from a third country. That means that medicines moving into Northern Ireland from GB will be subject to additional batch testing and qualified-person certification.”