Gary Middleton
Foyle · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. As other Members have stated, the First Minister spoke publicly about the £150 million secured for pay awards, including £37 million for teachers.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Although the FE sector is facing a difficult budgetary landscape, NWRC has been able to punch above its weight.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, we recognise that there is more to do, but we then come to the central issue: funding. The Education Authority faces an overcommitment of some £280 million. The Department is chronically underfunded. The independent report entitled 'Investing in a Better Future' made that clear.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I do not think that there is a single Member who does not want to see our children healthy, well fed and ready to learn. We all recognise the statistics before us: 13% of children live in food-insecure households. We understand that nutritious food is the fuel for educational attainment.”
“That targeted, sustainable intervention is designed to support what many describe as the working poor; families who work hard but struggle to make ends meet. <BR /> <BR />The Opposition's motion mentions comparisons with other jurisdictions, nothing that they are expanding universal provision. However, they are being selective.”
“We hear calls from the Benches opposite for subsidies and expansions, but we rarely hear where the money should come from. If we are to find the extra £202 million for this specific policy, which Department does the Opposition suggest that we take it from?”
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“I thank the Minister for her response. I put on record my thanks to her Department and the contractor for working with residents on some local issues along the route of the scheme. I welcome that. Can the Minister give any clarity on whether the scheme is on budget? Are there any concerns about lack of funds to complete the scheme?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I am going to put the question in a slightly different way. Dr Tom Black said that he believes that a four-week lockdown would be "logical". What is the view of the Minister and the Chief Medical Officer on whether additional restrictions are required before or during the Christmas period?”
“The Chair of the Economy Committee mentioned the officials who came to the Committee and raised the issue of the low levels of preparedness of businesses and firms, primarily because many of them have been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, and rightly so. Minister, what engagement have you had with counterparts across the UK to ensure that businesses are prepared, particularly for the disastrous east-west trading implications of the protocol?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. The tourism sector is a vitally important one for us in Northern Ireland. How can we use the centenary year of 2021 to promote Northern Ireland as a tourism destination across the world?”
“The Department for Communities has a role in city centres, as do the Department for the Economy and the Department for Infrastructure. We want to see a joined-up approach in that respect. <BR /> <BR />Finally, we need to be ambitious. As the report states, it is not about "managing decline" but "rebuilding" and promoting a better and stronger economy as we emerge from COVID-19. <BR /> <BR />Like others, I want to put on record my thanks to the Committee, the Committee Clerk and the Committee staff for the way in which they conducted the micro-inquiry. As we go forward, I hope that it will encourage debate and inform some of the decisions that will need to be made over the coming months.”
“We need to make the case for greater air connectivity, including to the US, to consolidate Northern Ireland's reputation as a positive place for foreign investment. The Committee report rightly denotes the decimation of the tourism and transport sectors as a result of the pandemic. The ground-up approach to recovery must help those businesses and our airports to rebuild. <BR /> <BR />A further important area that the report touches on is tourism and the revival of our town and city centres. It refers to the need to review our city centre infrastructure, support our retailers, and to having a proper mix in our town and city centres. It refers to the need for a joined-up communication plan and campaign to promote the message that Northern Ireland is a safe place to visit. That is a cross-cutting issue for all Departments.”
“<BR /> <BR />The report also refers to transport infrastructure, and I broadly agree with the views of the stakeholders about looking again at the strategic roads plan to future-proof it and the need to improve public transport connectivity. That has also changed over the course of the pandemic. <BR /> <BR />Air connectivity was another important element of the report to ensure that businesses have proximity to the rest of the UK and, indeed, the continent, as that will be an important factor in our recovery. From our meeting this morning with the chief executives of the airports, I know that they are very worried about the current position, but they are also hopeful that, with the right support, we can get through this.”
“On that note, like others, I welcome the progress on Project Stratum and the £165 million contract to Fibrus, which will see broadband rolled out across Northern Ireland. It should be noted that that was a key issue for our party in the confidence and supply agreement. <BR /> <BR />The report also touches on ensuring a flexible and skilled workforce. Many employees who have been placed on furlough or who fear that they will lose their jobs will need help to retain them as we come to the end of that period. I also welcome that the Department for the Economy is developing a new skills strategy that will take much of that forward.”
“Those sectors often have higher numbers of female, young, part-time and low-paid workers, and the threat of job losses will be heartbreaking for them and their families. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the special report and will speak in support of the motion. It will support a fully informed debate on how best to chart a course towards recovery. The Committee report raises a number of constructive themes, including investment in connectivity and digital infrastructure, which I am sure that the Department will look at closely over the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />As the Chair said in her remarks, there has been no time that we, as a society and an economy, have been so reliant on technology. Whether in work, retail or education, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated changes that would normally have taken years to progress.”
“None of us could have predicted the impact of the pandemic on our economy. It has devastated our high streets and disproportionately affected young, part-time, low-paid and female workers. <BR /> <BR />The latest Office for Budget Responsibility outlook in November indicated that COVID-19 has caused the UK economy to shrink by 11% this year, the largest drop in over 300 years. The collapse of established retailers such as Arcadia and Debenhams has distilled the devastation that the pandemic and subsequent restrictions have caused to our high streets. We must remember that COVID-19 has, of course, affected different business in different ways. Some sectors, including retail, hospitality and tourism, have been dealt a particularly bitter blow.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and welcome her comments. I agree with her that it is important that we wait to see the detail. Will she continue to raise the concerns around the protocol? This morning, with colleagues, I met representatives of the airlines. They raised serious concerns about the impact that the protocol will have on them. Will the Minister commit to continuing to raise those issues on their behalf?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber and answering the question for urgent oral answer. The announcements by Debenhams and Arcadia have come as a huge blow and shock to our high streets, with thousands of jobs now at risk. Many employees are deeply worried and concerned, and our thoughts are with them at this time. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister commit her Department to working with the wider Executive, particularly the Minister for Communities and the Minister of Finance, and with local councils to deliver stimulus packages to our high streets to provide them with as much support as we can in the coming months?”
“I thank the Minister for her response and for the work that her Department has done. The most recent figures show that 54 people have been killed on our roads this year. That is up from the same period in 2018-19, despite the fact that we have had a lockdown and fewer drivers on the road. That is very concerning. As we approach a dangerous time of the year, what with the darker nights, will the Minister ensure that her Department will do everything to continue to promote that message and work with organisations such as Life After that support those bereaved through road collisions?”
“Will the Minister commit to working with the Executive to issue guidance similar to that which has been issued by his counterparts in the UK?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. The Minister will be aware that there is a lot of frustration among students about the lack of guidance, particularly when it comes to travelling home for Christmas and as they enter their second semester.”
“Concerns were raised at the time about the enforcement of that on buses, for example, and on their way, but there seems to be a level of compliance around that. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we try to have a consistent approach. As I said, if we allow physical education to take place in schools, which is the right thing to do, we also need to allow for that exercise to take place in indoor and safe settings. I urge that that be allowed to happen. I remind Members that it is important to get out of this endless cycle during the next number of weeks. The way to do that is to adhere to the guidelines and ensure that we keep one another safe.”
“I agree completely with the Member. As the Minister stated at the outset, the regulations deal with cross-cutting issues. They go across Departments, so it is important that all Departments have a say. It goes back to the restrictions themselves: we need to ensure that the views of all Ministers are taken on board. We know that the Economy Minister has been fighting hard for businesses and to get them reopened in a safe and timely manner, but that is a cross-cutting issue. We need all Executive Ministers to be heard on it. <BR /> <BR />I go back to the amendment on face coverings. It was important to give clarity, particularly to post-primary pupils, and I know that many principals welcomed that.”
“We know that physical education goes beyond physical exercise and good health: it has a mental health impact for young people. <BR /> <BR />I want to come on to indoor exercise, which is relevant and has been mentioned. I take issue with the fact that gyms have not been able to operate for that indoor exercise piece for adults. Despite what some Members have said, it is not a financial issue for gym owners. They place the well-being of their customers above the financial incentive that they would have gained from the two weeks. That is a frustration that I have, and the many gym owners who have contacted me are deeply frustrated and very concerned about their customers. Many of them are assisting their customers with recovery from various issues. That is a point that I wanted to —.”
“I thank the Member for that. The point that we are all trying to get to is that we all want to get the best for our constituents and businesses. We do not want to see the continuing politicisation of a lot of the issues. Point-scoring, Facebook posts, Twitter videos and all that — the public can cut through that stuff. It is important that we support the Ministers, who are trying hard, and particularly the officials, who are doing their best to support those who need to be supported. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No. 11 brings some welcome clarity to the issues and the regulations. It is fairly self-explanatory. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No. 12 relates to physical education in educational settings. It was vital that that be rectified, and I welcome the fact that that was pushed forward by the Minister of Education.”
“I thank the Member for that. I do not disagree, in that what we do —.”
“The Health Minister made a point in his opening remarks about silo mentalities. We need to be mindful that working in silos is not helpful. I have said in the Chamber before that, given how the Executive work, when the Executive take decisions, uncomfortable as those decisions may be for individual Members, including me, it is important that we show a united front when we deliver those messages. However, that also applies to the schemes. I see Members across the Chamber who will trip over themselves to welcome initiatives from the likes of the Economy Minister and then trip over themselves to be the first to criticise. We need to work collectively to ensure that we can deliver the outcomes that we want to see.”
“Like others, I pay tribute to our health staff, and to all our front-line workers, for the tireless work that they have been doing, and my thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by COVID-19. As others have said, it feels repetitive to be speaking on these issues, given that the restrictions have already been implemented. Nonetheless, it is important that we say a few words on them.”
“We want to encourage stakeholders to be fully aware of the energy strategy and of the draft energy strategy and of how their role as businesses and consumers is important to its success. It is important as well that we see the involvement in this of communities at every level in our constituencies and Northern Ireland, because this will impact all of us. We all have a role to play. <BR /> <BR />I look forward to seeing the outcome of the debate on the energy strategy. We look forward to seeing the consultation. There will be many more discussions to be had in the Chamber around all of the details, but this is an important discussion that we are having today. As I said, I very much welcome the motion.”
“I welcome the fact that the responses brought that very much to the fore, because all of us who represent constituents want to ensure that whatever comes out will tackle fuel poverty and benefit the consumer and businesses. <BR /> <BR />The infrastructure element is important. There was a strong recognition that we need to see more investment in public transport systems as a way to reduce energy consumption. There was also an important view, which I share, that we need to see more investment in the electricity grid and the realisation of strategic infrastructure in a timely manner. That is crucial as well. <BR /> <BR />On a final note, promoting the energy strategy and increasing public awareness were important points to come out of the micro inquiry as well.”
“There will, of course, be those who say that we need to be more ambitious, but it is welcome that we have that target in place. <BR /> <BR />We got a range a views on what would or should be the key elements of the energy strategy. It is clear that there is strong support for the principal focus of the energy strategy to be the 2050 net zero carbon emissions target that the UK has adopted. All of the actions in the strategy should, at the very least, promote and be very consistent with the aim of meeting the 2050 target. It was highlighted that this should require cross-departmental working. We all acknowledge and reflect on the fact that all we do in the Assembly requires a certain level of that. <BR /> <BR />As has been highlighted by other Members, consumers and affordability are key issues.”
“We know that, as that report has been provided to the Department for the Economy, the energy strategy itself will determine future priorities and the potential changes needed to achieve the targets in it. Whilst we want to see progress as soon as possible, we recognise that there are time frames to be met, and we hope that the energy strategy can be put out to consultation early in 2021. <BR /> <BR />There is no time to stand still, and we need to continue to make progress. I welcome the fact that the Minister has said that this is one of her priorities. She has, of course, announced the 2030 renewable electricity target as being at least 70%. I, like many other Members, have met many people across the sectors who have welcomed that.”
“Like other Members, I welcome the motion. As an Economy Committee member I thank all of the members who played their role in bringing the report to the House, and I thank the Clerk and the Assembly staff for the way in which they conducted themselves on this and all of the matters. As Members have said, energy has a huge part to play in a very significant and large Economy Department. I thank them for that. <BR /> <BR />The micro inquiry received a large range of responses from across energy and business organisations, consumers, individuals and academics. There was a lot of good engagement, and it brought together this important report, though, of course, the report is just the beginning of a discussion of the ideas that were brought forward.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I particularly welcome the efficiencies brought forward by the Economy Minister, particularly the £95 million high street voucher scheme. That will be a great boost to our high streets. In saying that, the Minister will be aware that it falls significantly short of what was requested. When the details are confirmed for this scheme, will the Minister consider fully funding the request that was brought forward to ensure that we can recover as we come out of the pandemic?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. The Minister will no doubt agree that grants are important, but grants alone will not make up for the loss of earnings for those businesses that have been forced to shut or that are severely impacted by the Executive's restrictions. Does the Minister agree that the best support and help that we can give to those businesses is to allow them to open safely with the proper guidance in place?”
“<BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland is a place of excellence in manufacturing and in research and development. That has, again, been demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Success requires innovation, and the Minister has made it clear that she will seek to help manufacturing businesses by investing in skills development, robotics and specialist machinery to allow the sector to maintain its competitiveness and to grow. Of course, that is also a priority for us as a party.”
“However, we also need to consider whether this would be better served in a wider, holistic approach to driving forward growth across all sectors, while creating synergies where appropriate. Other cross-departmental and, indeed, national issues will also need to be addressed. One such example, which I have raised before, is around the apprenticeship levy. We also need to look at how city deals can be harnessed to present new opportunities for support. <BR /> <BR />There are many strong advanced manufacturing and engineering opportunities that would help to support the future growth and development of the sector. We support a joined-up and UK-wide approach to supporting and getting the best from our manufacturing industries. Going forward, we want to support those emerging and growing sectors to innovate and drive growth.”
“It has been clear from the outset of this new Assembly that the Economy Minister has put manufacturing as one of her top four priorities. The Minister will, no doubt, play a leading role in trying to deliver higher-paying jobs, a highly skilled workforce and a more regionally balanced economy, which is, of course, important to us all. That will be a huge challenge. Prior to the extension of the furlough scheme, Manufacturing NI made it clear that one in three jobs in the manufacturing industry was at risk. That was at the end of October. Thankfully, furlough has been extended and there is a bit more safety there, but, again, we cannot get to that cliff edge over the next couple of months. <BR /> <BR />We acknowledge and support the idea and premise of a specific medium-term strategy for manufacturing in Northern Ireland.”
“The question that has to be asked — it has been asked by other commentators in the public domain — is this: if the manufacturing sector had not been there during the pandemic, where would we have been? I think that we would have been in a much more difficult place. The sector stepped up when we needed it most. We need to develop and to build on that. We need to develop our local supply chains and government procurement to ensure that we can source our quality products in Northern Ireland. That will, of course, be of benefit to our health service, as we continue to coexist with the virus, and to our economy. <BR /> <BR />It is also important that the Executive and Economy Minister continue to look at ways to support the sector at this difficult time and in the short- and medium-term.”
“From food processing and pharmaceuticals to aeronautical technology and new and emerging tech, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, Northern Ireland punches well above its weight when it comes to producing world-class products and services. <BR /> <BR />COVID-19 has had a devastating impact, not only on our economy but on those across the globe. However, it has been heartening to see so many of our local companies, particularly in the manufacturing sector, innovating and adapting their production. Some 600 local manufacturers repurposed, in whole or in part, to meet the challenges of the public health emergency. They are to be congratulated on the way in which they have adapted. There are so many real examples out there of businesses that adapted and stepped up to the mark.”
“I thank the Member for tabling the motion. It is, of course, very timely given the fact of the huge blow to the jobs at Caterpillar and the fact that the debate follows on from the discussions regarding the regulations and the impact that the additional restrictions have had on the economy. It is timely and welcome that we can discuss our manufacturing industry. <BR /> <BR />Manufacturing must be at the forefront of rebuilding our economy in Northern Ireland post COVID-19. The manufacturing sector sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs right across our Province and many millions of pounds worth of extra economic activity in other sectors in the supply chain. It is clear that, when manufacturing grows, the whole economy grows with it.”
“We want to ensure that as many people stay in employment as possible over the next couple of months.”
“When a decision is taken, as uncomfortable as it may be, it is important that we unite around that message and ensure that we go forward collectively. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank our healthcare and key workers for all that they have done over the past number of months and for their work going forward. We are coming into a challenging time. We know that waiting lists are increasing and that people are queuing to get in through the doors at A&E departments. We appreciate that work, and we cannot forget that those people are continuing to work day in, day out. <BR /> <BR />These are tough times for our businesses. It is important that we send a message to the businesses in our constituencies that we will stand behind them, continue to fight for their funding and support them.”
“The furlough scheme has saved many jobs, and, thankfully, it is there, but it will come to an end at some point. We cannot keep coming to this cliff edge and worrying about what we are going to do next. We need a strategy, and that is about getting the balance right. <BR /> <BR />Like other Members, where the health service is concerned, I thank the Health Minister, because his is a difficult job, but we should not get ourselves into a position where we are pointing fingers and criticising. The Health Minister is just one Minister. We have lots of Ministers in the Executive, and that is where they can bring these issues, debate them and come to a consensus. There is an onus on all of us, because there are five parties in the Chamber that are in the Executive, and these are Executive decisions.”
“Café owners are asking me whether they can order produce, and people want to know whether they can take bookings for beauty salons. We hear a lot of talk in the media, but it is important that the Chamber is given its place. It is important that we get to hear and give our views on what is brought forward. I think that that view is unanimous. <BR /> <BR />Businesses regularly reiterate that we have to find a way to coexist with the virus. My colleague Mr Buckley spoke about the Belfast Chamber of Commerce. I, and others, have engaged with the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. There is concern about job losses.”
“All that has to be taken in the round but it is important that we recognise that we have to find another way to coexist with the virus. <BR /> <BR />Amendments No. 9 and No. 10 bring clarity on close contact, which was one of the frustrations when the restrictions came in. We need clarity. We need to know who is to shut and who is to open. They also bring clarity on worship, churches and face coverings. I would welcome the junior Minister giving us a bit of clarity on where places of worship sit going forward. <BR /> <BR />The need for clarity is the key message that I have been getting from businesses in my constituency, city centre and rural. They want the message to be clear. The current restrictions come to an end at midnight on Thursday.”
“I agree with that point completely. That is why we need to get to a stage where we try to find another way. I can speak only about my barber — I will not name him in case he loses business because of my haircut, of course. The level of PPE that he put in was exceptional, but he accepted, when localised restrictions came in, that something needed to be done. <BR /> <BR />This is not about criticising. The Executive have a huge balancing task. We hear from experts — they include the likes of Dr Tom Black, whom I know and whose view I respect — who have genuine concerns from a health perspective. The Economy Minister brings to the table her concerns about the effects on the economy, and, subsequently, on the mental health of those who lose their jobs and livelihoods, and that is where we may differ from the experts.”
“Absolutely, we have to point to the fact that our priority should be saving lives, but we also have to look at the evidence and the science. Mr Sheehan, who has left the Chamber, spoke about science deniers. For many businesses, however, it is not a case of denying; they want to see the science. They want to be assured that shutting their hair salon or beauty parlour makes a difference and that there is a genuine reason why they need to close their doors.”
“Thankfully — I am not putting it down to me, although, if people want to do so, they can — that was doubled and rolled out across Northern Ireland, and it is welcome. We need to ensure that money, regardless of which Department it comes from, gets out as quickly as possible to those who need it. <BR /> <BR />Amendments No. 9 and No. 10 close up a lot of the gaps. There are varying views in the Chamber on the way forward. There is, I think, a collective position that we would rather be in a position where we did not have to shut anything down. We need to get to a point where we can coexist with the virus and are not switching the economy on and off. <BR /> <BR />A few moments ago, we heard the Economy Minister say that the four-week restrictions cost the Northern Ireland economy £400 million. That is a devastating blow.”
“We need to ensure that we continue to go in that direction. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, from a business and an employer perspective, it came as a blow. We know that those in the hospitality sector in particular had put in a lot of work to get PPE in place and to make their premises as secure as possible, so to find out that they had to close their doors came as a blow. That is why — we have said this all along — it is important that, when the Executive close businesses, support packages be in place. At that time, I was on the record with various news outlets as saying that the localised restrictions support scheme brought forward by the Finance Minister was not enough; it just was not sufficient. We talked about there being £400 for those at the lower end with premises with an NAV of £15,000 or below and about the amounts being scaled up.”
“The context at the time was that the infection rate in our area was several times higher than the Northern Ireland average and, at one point, was the highest in the United Kingdom. There was broad recognition, therefore, that the status quo could not continue and that something had to be done. At that time, while it was disappointing that it had to be done, the Executive were right to step in and take action. Thankfully, today — we have heard some of the news reports and some of the data that has been talked about — we have seen a 70% reduction in the infection rate. That was down to the fact that communities and businesses rallied and listened to that message. We can debate which specific restrictions did and did not work, but the fact is that the infection rate came down, and that was the ultimate goal.”
“A taxi driver did not want to get into an argument with somebody who got into their taxi and was not wearing a face mask because the legislation did not specifically say that they had to do so. That clarity was very much welcome. <BR /> <BR />That messaging was important, because it has increased compliance right across our communities. Over the past number of weeks, I know that all of us have said that it was worrying that members of the public seemed to have dropped their guard when it came to wearing face masks in shops and other places, but I think that that message has finally got across to the public once and for all. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No. 8 relates to the restrictions that there brought in in my constituency and the wider Londonderry and Strabane area.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the regulations. I thank Minister Lyons for being with us and for giving us some clarity. Hopefully, we will hear more from him later in response to some of the questions. Like many others, I am mindful of the fact that we are living with these regulations, so it can be quite difficult at times to give an evaluation of how they have worked. Of course, many members of the public look to us for guidance on how we go forward, but we need to be mindful that the vote today, if there is to be one, is specifically on what has already been put in place. <BR /> <BR />The clarity that the tightening of regulations brought to the wearing of face masks was welcome, particularly for restaurants, cafes, bars, taxis, buses and those types of businesses, because many in those industries wanted that clarity.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Will the Minister indicate whether farmers are entitled to a reimbursement of the financial discipline deducted from the 2019 scheme? If so, when will that reimbursement be made to farmers?”
“The Minister will be aware that there was incredible pressure from across the Chamber to get the scheme set up in March to get money out quickly to businesses. In this Chamber, one Member told us to rip up the rule book while another told us to bury bureaucracy. Does the Minister agree that a balance needed to be struck between getting the money out quickly to those who urgently needed it and ensuring that it went to those who were eligible?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer to that question. I appreciate that she said that the regulations should be laid shortly, but can she give us a time frame? Does she agree that penalties and enforcement are of the utmost importance at this time, given that we want to ensure that we drive down the number of cases and that we get our economy open again? Enforcement and penalties are very important.”