Paula Bradley
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I am especially grateful to all the women who, especially in my first mandate here, were a constant support and encouragement to me as a new MLA. Nothing ever prepares you for this role, but many inside and outside this Building are the glue that holds it all together.”
“I thank them for their support, especially over the last week, with the phone calls, emails, cards and flowers, but, most of all, for allowing me to be part of their lives, sometimes at the most difficult times. Secondly, I want to thank my party, of which I have been a member for 20 years.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will try my very best to get through these three minutes without tears in my eyes, though I doubt that that is going to happen. <BR /> <BR />I will begin by thanking you, Mr Speaker.”
“After much discussion with officials concerning the objectives of the Bill, the detail of an SMI loan, the process of registering and removing the statutory charge and how and when an SMI loan is repaid, the Committee was content with the Bill as drafted. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill.”
“I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill. It is probably the shortest Bill that the Committee considered, but it is no less important, as it aims to protect owner-occupiers in receipt of an income-related benefit from the threat of repossession.”
“I know that I have caused a few headaches over the past two years, but you have always delivered week in, week out and put the needs of the Committee first and foremost. You have made my role as Committee Chair so much easier. For all that you have done, I am truly thankful.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,102 lines we hold for Paula Bradley, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 23.
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I also welcome the freeze on the regional rate. I agree with the Minister and encourage all councils to do the same with the district rate. <BR /> <BR />My question relates to what Mr Kelly asked earlier. We know that any investment in social housing should involve not only new builds. Investment in our present stock is much needed. We also have the added issue of the tower block strategy and people being displaced, especially in north Belfast, where there is not the land on which to build. If all the money allocated is going to new builds, will any other money be made available for those other, much-needed housing strands?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. In the same vein, what conversations has the Minister had with the Finance Minister? I was recently made aware that a cricket club had applied, through the Finance Minister, for that stream of funding but was told that it had to apply through the sports fund. Will there be an even playing field? Whether it is a working men's club, social club or sports club, will they not be disproportionately affected by applying through the sports fund, instead of through the Department of Finance funding?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Member for her contribution, and I thank all the members of the Committee for Communities who agreed to the extension. I look forward to the Committee progressing through its scrutiny of the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whilst the motion is to extend the Committee Stage until May 2021, we will, of course, make every effort to work closely with the Minister and officials to have the Bill dealt with before that date, but we must allow ourselves leeway in order to ensure proper scrutiny in the current context of the pandemic. The Committee supports the Minister in her aims to strike the right balance between offering a level of support to the hospitality and tourism sectors, which we all agree is much needed, and protecting our communities by ensuring that the sale of alcoholic drinks is controlled. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, in order to allow the Committee for Communities to complete its scrutiny as robustly as it can on a wide range of hugely important issues and within a realistic time frame, I commend the motion to the House.”
“For that Easter deadline to have been really achievable, the Committee, operating as it is under the restrictions, would need to have the Bill much earlier. <BR /> <BR />It is crucial that we are realistic on a number of fronts. Primarily, we need to give the Bill the proper and thorough scrutiny that it deserves. There have been changes to it since it was last considered in 2016, and its scope is much wider. The Bill is generating lots of interest, and we will need to take evidence from a variety of different interests in order to ensure that we hear from everyone that might be affected by it.”
“Even if the Committee felt that it could complete all that in-depth scrutiny within the 30-day time frame, there is absolutely no guarantee that the Bill would get Royal Assent in time for the provisions to be implemented by Easter 2021. The timescale is very tight, and neither the Department nor the Assembly controls all the processes and related timings that the Bill must pass through after its Final Stage. In normal non-COVID circumstances, the Committee would have the option of holding a substantial number of extra meetings to get through the many evidence sessions that it needs to hold. However, we are not operating in our usual circumstances. Members will know that there are limitations on all Committees at present in the number and length of meetings that they can hold.”
“Concerns were raised at Second Stage about advertising restrictions, loyalty schemes and alcohol deliveries, all of which are areas covered by the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has been asked to do a massive amount of work in its Committee Stage, and that will take a considerable period of time. There are no shortcuts. The Committee understands that and knows that it should not be distracted by any artificial deadline. At our meeting last Thursday, we had three excellent briefings from Assembly researchers that further cemented our view that there are gaps in data and evidence. Many issues requiring in-depth scrutiny and lessons to be learnt from other jurisdictions cannot be rushed. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has also taken advice from the Bill Office in making its decision to request the extension.”
“We were asked to consider the impact of extended opening hours and drinking-up time on the hospitality sector in general, on clubs, on the wider night-time economy, including taxi drivers, on rural pubs, on hospitality staff, on local residents and on the PSNI to name but a few. We have been asked by Members to consider the impact of the Bill on alcohol consumption and abuse and the related health impacts, on underage drinking and on safeguarding issues for those under 18 attending functions and award ceremonies in licensed premises. We have been asked to consider local producers in depth, with many Members wanting to do much more for that group because they feel that the Bill is not ambitious enough.”
“I put that on record at Second Stage so that there was no confusion about the fact that the Committee will not be rushed in getting the Bill through, albeit we want to do our best to support the hospitality industry. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is about much more than Easter opening hours. The Second Stage debate clearly highlighted the wide range of very important issues that the Bill covers. I will now take a few moments to remind Members of the long list of issues that Members requested that the Committee cover and consider during its Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was asked to consider the very fundamentals of the licensing system, including the prices that are being paid for licences and the surrender principle.”
“I would like the House to bear with me as I explain why the extension is crucial for the Committee to conduct proper scrutiny of this substantial Bill of 36 clauses and two schedules. The Committee was aware of significant pressure from a number of sources to have the Bill process done and dusted, including being granted Royal Assent, so that the Bill's provisions could be implemented by Easter, with Easter Sunday being 4 April 2021. While the Committee fully understands the pressures that the hospitality industry is facing, it cannot be ignored that, as a result of our considerations and those of the Assembly, we are shaping licensing laws for many, many years to come.”
“The call for evidence and views was issued on 16 November 2020, with a generous four weeks for responses to allow those who want to respond more time than usual due to the current COVID situation. We are aware that many organisations and individuals will be under extreme pressures at this time. At its meeting on 12 November, the Committee agreed, after discussion, to request an extension to Committee Stage until 15 May 2021. The Committee fully appreciates that this will come as a disappointment to some Members and to a range of key stakeholders across a number of sectors.”
“As the House is aware, the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill passed its Second Stage on 3 November 2020 and was referred to the Committee for Communities for its Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />The principles of the Bill and beyond were debated at length at Second Stage. They aim to bring forward measures that seek to tackle alcohol misuse, to promote responsible consumption and to support the hospitality and tourism sectors. However, during the Committee Stage, we will seek to establish whether the Bill strikes the appropriate balance between those apparently competing objectives. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has begun in earnest its consideration of the Bill.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement to the House. The statement talked about the response to COVID-19 for the various sectors. That was very welcome. We know that the £660,000 to the Ulster Scots resilience fund and the £1·2 million to the Irish language fund — I stand corrected if either figure or the date is wrong — is due to close on Wednesday. Has the Minister had any indication of whether those have been oversubscribed? I hope that they have. If so, will she look at putting more money towards both organisations to help anybody who did not receive any?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. She will know that many indigenous businesses, local farmers and various other people in our rural communities have poor broadband connection. I do not understand it totally, because I am a townie and have great broadband, but what conversations has the Minister had with other Ministers about the concerns raised? We have had conversations during lockdown with the Education Minister about how children access online learning. What conversations have taken place with other Ministers?”
“North Belfast, as we know, will be one of the ring-fenced areas. Minister, when you look at the policy, will you look at North Belfast in its entirety, because, quite often, Newtownabbey is left out of the social housing figures when it comes to reflecting the demand in North Belfast? Can the Minister give me an assurance that Newtownabbey will also be taken into account?”
“I thank Rachel Woods for tabling her question. I absolutely agree with her sentiments on it. Right now, many homes in the social housing sector are not fit for purpose. They have damp, poor heating and no cavity wall insulation. Their carbon footprint is through the roof. Can anything be done about the homes that we have now?”
“They are already facing real hardship coming up to Christmas, and beyond, owing to the situation with the hospitality sector, without then receiving a notification that they have to self-isolate. This is therefore very welcome, and I am sure that it will help many families. <BR /> <BR />I want to touch on the issue of fraud. We know that people are missing appointments at our test centres and receiving positive test results from that. Are there any safeguards in here when it comes to fraud? We really want to distinguish between those in need, which is what this is for, and those for whom it is sheer greed.”
“I promise that I will be a lot briefer this time than I was the last time, when I asked four questions. I thank the Minister for a very welcome statement and her good manners in calling me last night and informing me of what was in the statement. <BR /> <BR />The Minister will know that statistics show that 80% of those in part-time employment are female, with some having more than one job and many working in the hospitality sector.”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. Surely, to help in the battle against COVID, we need tougher enforcement to deter people from breaking the rules. Can you give us some views on that?”
“Oh, I am getting to ask a supplementary question. Even better. <BR /> <BR />Minister, following on from what Ms Bradshaw said about possible shielding letters being sent out, we have heard from various people that they have not yet received their flu vaccine. Will those who are required to shield and their family members be treated as a priority in the next tranche?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, this is a little bit concerning. I have been advised by three individuals whom I know personally — one is an accountant, another is a solicitor and the other is a social worker — that they all got positive test results for tests that they were not able to attend. We know that a lot of good has been done during the pandemic, but there are also people out there who want to do mischief. We know that discretionary support grants are available for people who test positive for them or their family members. I would like you to look at that further and to look at those figures to see whether there have been any patterns, changes or increases in recent weeks. It is public knowledge, certainly in the area that I represent, that that can be done.”
“As someone who worked in the health service, I understand what unmet need is, and it has been around for many years. Will the Minister tell the House how his Department is capturing that unmet need?”
“I just want to put that on the record, Minister: the Committee will not be rushed in getting the Bill through, albeit that we want to do our best to support the hospitality industry.”
“I will not prolong this any longer than I have to, and thank you, Minister, for giving way. <BR /> <BR />I want to tidy up an issue that several Members brought up about Easter 2022. The Committee should not be put under any pressure when it comes to the Bill. Issues galore have come up. I would like to think that we will have the Bill through by Easter 2021; that is the date that we are looking to. I want to see that happen, but I want to say on the record that hundreds of issues have been brought up. At the beginning, I said that none of us should take a point of view until we hear the evidence. That includes evidence from people with a vast gamut of opinions. It includes people of faith, and I have respect for them also.”
“Minister, you will be aware that many musicians had only a short window after lockdown when they were back playing in our pubs and clubs. They were playing safely behind Perspex screens, and safety was put first and foremost. However, that was taken away very quickly. Musicians lost their income long before the hospitality industry closed. When we reopen our bars and restaurants, will you fight for musicians at the Executive to allow them to get back to work? Musicians want to get back to work rather than receive handouts from various Ministries.”
“They are lobbying us hard at this time. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Committee and a member of my party, I will take all that evidence on board. As a Committee, we need to listen to that evidence. None of us should go into the Committee with preconceived ideas of how we will change or amend this, because the evidence needs to be listened to. We all need to be mindful of that. I know that, for many, the Bill will have gone too far and that, for many, the Bill will not have gone far enough. Some will be happy, and some will not. I advise my fellow Committee members to keep an open mind at this stage and to base their decisions only on evidence and nothing else.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I imagine that that is an answer that needs to come from the Minister and not from me, but we will certainly consider that as part of our Committee deliberations. <BR /> <BR />I have come to the end of outlining the Committee stance on this, and I want to make a few comments as a DUP MLA and a constituency MLA. I very much welcome the Bill. As I said, it has been a long time coming. I think that you, Mr Deputy Speaker, sat on the Committee for Social Development during that 2011-16 mandate, when we looked at liquor licensing and many people came to brief us. As a member of the Committee — other Members will be aware of this — I know that we are being lobbied heavily by all sections of the community: those that will benefit from this and those that will not benefit from it.”
“That said, I am confident that a more flexible licensing framework with appropriate safeguards will not only assist those sectors to rebuild following the COVID crisis, when our society can again operate under more normal circumstances, but ensure that protections are in place to help to tackle alcohol-related harm. The Committee is supportive of the principles of the Bill and looks forward to considering it in much greater detail.”
“Given the history of attempts to change law in this area and the challenges facing many in this sector and those on whom it impacts, the Committee will make all efforts to ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in the passage of the Bill. However, it must carry out thorough scrutiny and remain mindful of the fact that the scope of this Bill is considerably wider than that of the 2016 Bill. <BR /> <BR />We are also scrutinising the Bill with a view to changing licensing laws on a number of fronts, potentially for many years to come, and not just to assist a number of sectors to cope in the present pandemic and its immediate aftermath.”
“In order to encourage a reduction in alcohol consumption, there is a proposal to amend the law to prohibit the practice whereby many retailers allow loyalty points to be gained from the purchase of alcoholic drinks or exchanged for the same. The Committee will be keen to explore with relevant stakeholders the proposals to amend the law to allow statutory approval for voluntary industry-led codes of practice in relation to the sale and promotion of alcoholic drinks. <BR /> <BR />The Committee fully appreciates that we are working our way through the COVID crisis and recognises that it is causing particularly huge difficulties for the hospitality and tourism sector.”
“The Bill also proposes that young people may remain on licensed premises beyond 9.00 pm to attend a private function such as a wedding or anniversary, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian and the main meal is being served at the table. The Committee is pleased to see that it is proposed to strengthen the current law to prevent young people under 18 receiving a delivery of alcoholic drinks to the home. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is keen to ensure that the Bill contains sufficient measures to tackle excessive alcohol consumption. It is known that drinking at home has increased in recent years. Therefore, the proposed restrictions on the advertising of alcoholic drinks in supermarkets and other off-sale premises are to be welcomed to encourage shoppers to make a conscious decision about whether or not they purchase alcohol.”
“We look forward to engaging with all the sectors that I mentioned in the coming weeks to determine the positive or other impacts of the Bill's proposals. <BR /> <BR />The Committee will also closely scrutinise the range of measures that impact on children and young people. These include allowing young people under 18 to be in the bar area of licensed premises and registered clubs after 9.00 pm and permitting young people under 18 to attend an awards ceremony in a sporting club one night per calendar year and remain on those premises until 11.00 pm. We know that licence holders, particularly in the current economic climate, are keen to allow their function rooms to be used for functions attended by young people.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill proposes to legislate for major events to allow the Department to designate an event as a special or major event, and to vary the permitted hours and allow certain off-sales at that event. In support of small producers of alcoholic drinks and in recognition of their contribution to food and drink culture and tourism, the Bill proposes a new category of premises for local breweries, cideries and distilleries. The Committee is looking forward to engaging with that sector. The Committee envisages that sporting clubs will welcome the proposals to allow them to extend the area of their premises within which they can lawfully supply alcoholic drinks on a limited number of occasions a year.”
“It will, therefore, be the job of the Committee to consider all evidence and arguments that are presented and to advise the House accordingly. <BR /> <BR />I do not intend to highlight all the clauses, but I will highlight a number of key areas. The Committee is sure that the hospitality and tourism sectors will welcome the range of proposals relating to increased opening hours. They will welcome not only the proposed removal of restrictions over the Easter weekend but the extension to drinking-up time and the increase in the number of days on which certain licensed premises and small pubs can open for longer. Small pubs are often a social hub in local communities. The Committee is pleased to see the proposals to align alcohol and entertainment licences to help to offset the issues associated with problem premises.”
“In our support for the hospitality and tourism sectors, the Committee will not lose sight of the fact that alcohol misuse is a significant public health and social issue in Northern Ireland. It is estimated that we spend around £700 million annually to address alcohol misuse. That includes costs to healthcare, policing, prison services, social services and workplaces through absenteeism. <BR /> <BR />According to a departmental health inequalities report from 2018, almost a quarter of children in Northern Ireland aged between 11 and 16 are drinking alcohol, sometimes on a daily basis. All of us will have personal views on alcohol, based on experience or, perhaps, moral or religious beliefs. However, we are here to legislate for all of society.”
“On 8 October, the Department advised the Committee that the Bill has now taken account of many of the issues and concerns that arose during the evidence sessions for the 2016 Bill. That is to be welcomed and may make the Committee's scrutiny task somewhat clearer. <BR /> <BR />However, we are here today to debate the main principles of the Bill. The detailed work for the Committee lies ahead. The principles are relatively straightforward to agree on, as they relate to bringing forward measures that seek to tackle alcohol misuse, to promote responsible consumption and to support the hospitality and tourism sectors. However, during the Committee Stage, we will seek to establish whether the Bill strikes the appropriate balance between those apparently competing objectives. <BR /> <BR />Alcohol has never been more affordable or available.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee was briefed most recently by departmental officials at its meeting on 8 October, when we heard that the aims of the new Bill mirror and expand on the 2016 Bill to modernise liquor licensing laws by way of a balanced package of measures that are aimed at providing vital support for hospitality and tourism but which will also tackle alcohol misuse and promote responsible alcohol consumption. <BR /> <BR />The 2016 Bill was thought by some at the time to be too modest in its ambitions for the modernisation of licensing laws and to fail to recognise that patterns of alcohol consumption were changing, with people drinking less in pubs and more in their homes.”
“That finally resulted in the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill in 2016, which was introduced in the Assembly in September of that year but subsequently fell in January 2017. Some amendments have been made over the years, namely the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, and, in 2016, a private Member's Bill successfully added outdoor stadia as a category of premises that may be granted a liquor licence.”
“On behalf of the Committee for Communities, I welcome the Second Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill. The Minister introduced the Bill on 19 October. That marked the start of the process to bring about these important and long-awaited changes to the liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland. I say "long-awaited" because, as Members will know, the current legislation relating to the sale of alcoholic drinks in Northern Ireland dates back to 1996. It is helpful to remind the House of the recent history in that regard, which has led to the Bill that is before us. <BR /> <BR />A review of liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland was launched in 2011, and, over the past nine years, there have been a number of attempts to get such a Bill over the line.”
“<BR /> <BR />Secondly, as MLAs, we represent not just one section of the community but everybody. That includes all those young people who would not naturally want social housing. They are first-time buyers and young professionals. The Minister mentioned having some sort of scheme to allow them to buy and to get into the housing market, but some of them want to rent. How do you see that fitting into the model, when they will not have housing points? <BR /> <BR />Lastly, I want to ask about the Minister's timeline. We want to see this through as quickly as possible, with the right scrutiny from the Committee, of course. What are your priorities? Will you prioritise the points system or something else?”
“I thank the Minister for today's extremely comprehensive statement. I also thank her for meeting me and the Committee Clerk yesterday, giving us advance notice and getting a copy to all the members early. We have had so much doom and gloom in the Chamber over recent months that it is good at this stage to get a statement that is positive, visionary and very much welcome. <BR /> <BR />With your permission, Mr Speaker, I want to ask a couple of questions, if that is OK. The first is on our constituency of North Belfast. The Minister and I represent a constituency that has major housing stress. On top of that, we have a tower block strategy, and we have the most tower blocks in Northern Ireland. How does that displacement of people fit into the already overburdened housing list?”
“We acknowledge that the Bill will strengthen the pension system by introducing certain safeguards and enhanced sanctions. For those reasons, the Committee is supportive of the second legislative consent motion related to the Westminster Pension Schemes Bill. Therefore, on behalf of the Committee, I support the motion.”
“It is not the way that we would prefer to deal with legislation, but we recognise that it is necessary in this instance. We welcome the inquiry by the Committee on Procedures on the use of LCMs, and the Committee for Communities has already issued a response. <BR /> <BR />That said, the Committee recognises that the amendments are generally seen as a positive measure to help people to plan for the future and to protect people's pensions. The Committee welcomes the fact that further details on the provisions will be set out in subordinate legislation by the Department for Communities and made subject to Assembly control. The Committee accepts that it is advantageous that any changes to the regulation of pensions are made across all jurisdictions at the same time to ensure compliance and enforcement.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee also welcomed the other amendments and was content that they added further detail on policies already in the Bill, including, as the Minister stated, setting a charge cap for collective defined contribution schemes, which is an important protection for members of such schemes. On transfer rights amendments, one aims to safeguard members of unfunded public-sector schemes from being targeted by criminals and fraudsters, and another aims to limit pension scams. There is an enhancement to the pensions dashboard that ensures that there will be public service pension dashboards as well as commercial dashboards <BR /> <BR />I remind the House that the Committee has previously noted its general uneasiness with the use of LCMs in principle rather than bespoke Assembly legislation.”
“The Committee published a report on the first legislative consent memorandum on 29 April 2020. At that time, members were reassured that the Department would brief the Committee on any significant policy changes to the Bill as a result of amendments at Westminster. Such amendments occurred, and the Committee was then briefed by departmental officials at its meeting on 15 October 2020 on such a policy change, other amendments and on the need for the further LCM. The Committee welcomed the main amendments, which are to do with climate-related financial disclosures, with the aim being to secure effective governance and disclosure of the risks facing pension schemes and of the risks and opportunities associated with the transition to a lower-carbon economy.”
“Members will have read the Committee's report published on 22 October 2020 on the second legislative consent memorandum, but, just in case they have not, I will provide some background and update Members.”
“The Bill also strengthens protections for scheme members by enhancing the powers of the Pensions Regulator and introducing stronger civil and criminal sanctions. It also increases transparency about pensions savings by introducing digital interfaces for individuals called pensions dashboards and introduces provisions to help to tackle pension scams. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is pleased to see that, central to the Bill, is the principle of consumer protection and enabling people to plan better for their pensions and that the Bill has been broadly welcomed by unions, the pensions industry and political parties. <BR /> <BR />This further LCM relating to the Westminster Pension Schemes Bill is now needed to ensure that Northern Ireland provisions remain in the Westminster Bill following amendments to it.”
“<BR /> <BR />Planning and preparation for retirement is very important for all of us and spent pension schemes are often not given the attention that they deserve by many of us. As I reminded the House on 1 June, when we debated the first LCM related to the Westminster Bill, although pensions are a devolved matter, to all intents and purposes, in the UK, there is essentially one system of pensions that includes numerous pension schemes in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, the Pensions Regulator, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Pension Protection Fund all operate UK-wide. <BR /> <BR />The Westminster Bill establishes collective money purchase schemes. In such a scheme, both the employer and employee contribute to a collective fund from which the employee draws an income at retirement.”
“The Committee thanks the Minister for bringing this second legislative consent motion on the Westminster Pension Schemes Bill. The Westminster Pension Schemes Bill started in the House of Lords on 7 January 2020. It is now at Committee Stage in the House of Commons, and the Bill Committee is expected to report on 5 November. <BR /> <BR />As a short aside, I will take this opportunity to remind the House that the Committee for Communities is currently considering the Pension Schemes Bill for Northern Ireland and will start its formal clause-by-clause scrutiny this very week. That Bill is to mirror the provisions of a different Westminster Bill — the Pension Schemes Act 2017 — which introduced, amongst other things, a new regulatory framework for master trusts workplace pension schemes that can be used by multiple unrelated employers.”
“However, we can do something: the video relay service (VRS). The Department for Communities is trying to make headway with the video relay service. In June 2019, Scotland launched VRS For All, which means that it does not matter whether it is the public sector, the third sector or the private sector; every person who has a hearing or speech impairment can access the VRS. I ask the Minister to progress that, because people with a hearing or speech impairment are being discriminated against every single day in Northern Ireland because they do not have access to that service.”