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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“The unionist community stands together. If you have not noticed it, please wake up and see that the unionist community is resolute about dealing with the Northern Ireland protocol, restoring fairness to these institutions and ensuring that we have fair access to the UK internal market. <BR /> <BR />Over the past two weeks, we have seen some progress being made by the UK Government, despite the shameful delegation from the United States, which came into Northern Ireland on a supposedly diplomatic visit and has left a damaging and disgraceful message to our community. Basically, it came here and sided with the republican agenda, and that is completely and utterly unacceptable.”
“No, I will not. <BR /> <BR />Despite that fact, Sinn Féin has not done one single thing in the spirit of respect, and we see nothing but disrespect from the Members opposite. Not one time have they attempted, in the interests of respect, to deal with the concerns or the problem. In fact, when the DUP tried to bring the issue of the protocol to the Executive, when it was functioning, it was vetoed by Michelle O'Neill. It was vetoed from even getting on the agenda by Michelle O'Neill. That is the type of respect from the Members opposite that we are dealing with. <BR /> <BR />At the election, the DUP received a mandate to deal with the protocol and to ensure that we remove the Irish Sea border. I want to make the message very clear today — my colleagues have already done so — that we are resolute in holding to those commitments.”
“It works on the basis of parties coming together and trying to move forward. Since the inception of the Northern Ireland protocol, not one unionist MLA or MP has supported it. Despite that fact —”
“Thank you, Mr Acting Speaker. The recall of the Assembly is nothing more than a distraction from the real issue and problem that is preventing these institutions from functioning, our communities moving forward and progress being made in Northern Ireland; that is the Northern Ireland protocol. Rather than trying to work towards solutions and to get a resolution, this is another attempt to ride roughshod over the concerns of the unionist community. We have seen attempt after attempt by Sinn Féin, joined by its useful helpers in Alliance and the SDLP, to sneer at, look down on and try to laugh off the genuine concerns of the unionist community. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland power-sharing works on the basis of parties working together. It works on the basis of consensus.”
“We made it clear to the electorate that we want to see the Northern Ireland protocol removed. We want to see the Irish Sea border removed. We will ensure that that is the case before we return to the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />As I reiterated, I want to get on with dealing with all the other issues with Ministers in place. I welcome the fact that people want to resolve waiting lists. We have had two years, and, of course, a couple of weeks before the election, everybody wants to resolve everything. Now is the time for you to get your shoulder behind the wheel. Join the rest of us who want Northern Ireland to work. Join the rest of us who want power-sharing to work. It will not work whilst the views and concerns of one section of our community are dismissed, laughed at and called "Rubbish", as they were by a Member across the Chamber.”
“As I was saying, it was clear where the priorities of those Members lay on whether they were fighting for the people of Northern Ireland or on behalf of the European Union. That is the point that I was trying to make. Whilst they were doing that in Dublin, they were undermining not just their colleagues in the Chamber with whom they are supposed to be power-sharing but a large section of our community. <BR /> <BR />The DUP has been focused on trying to resolve the issues around the protocol. We have not seen progress. We have met the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister. We have heard a lot of words, but, unfortunately, whilst some of it may be encouraging at this time, it is just words. We need to see that come into action.”
“There was guidance on lockdown, and people will judge that for themselves. It was clear where the priorities —”
“I want people to understand that, until the concerns of unionists, of businesses that are suffering at the hands of the protocol and of people who face a rising cost of living and rising prices in supermarkets have been addressed, we will not be back in the Executive. They need to understand that loudly and clearly. Despite all the concerns and views that we reiterated over the past couple of years, we were ignored, dismissed and downtrodden. Unfortunately, whilst we were raising those concerns, Alliance, the SDLP and Sinn Féin were breaking lockdown rules by running down to Dublin to call for the rigorous implementation of the protocol.”
“It should come as no surprise to anybody in the Chamber or, indeed, to anybody in Northern Ireland, that the DUP is serious about dealing with the Northern Ireland protocol. Over the past two years, time and time again — in the Chamber and in meetings with the UK Government, the Irish Government and the European Union — we have reiterated the concerns about the Northern Ireland protocol of not just unionists but all our people. We were met with — unsurprisingly, we are being met with it today — laughing, sniggering and the dismissal of unionist concerns as if they were somewhat lesser than anyone else's. <BR /> <BR />We are here today to say that we want to be in a position to elect a Speaker. I want to be in a position where I can deal with the other priorities in our five-point plan. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to do that.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have been inspired by Her Majesty's commitment to bringing communities together and by her constant leadership. In her message over the weekend, Her Majesty renewed the pledge that she gave in 1947 to always be devoted to our service. That is such a remarkable message. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Assembly marks accession day 2022 and that we pay our tribute to Her Majesty's outstanding contribution to our United Kingdom. We also look forward, over the coming months, to the significant celebrations that will take place during the special four-day jubilee weekend.”
“In total, she has visited our Province 25 times. Her first visit came in the aftermath of World War II, as Princess Elizabeth. Many of my constituents in Londonderry have fond memories of her first visit to our constituency as Queen in 1953, and many more cherish her most recent visits. <BR /> <BR />Throughout her unprecedented reign, the Queen has exemplified dedication to public service, a characteristic that even those outside the British tradition often acknowledge. Her Majesty is held in the highest regard and admired across our communities for her lifetime of selfless dedication, devotion and service to our country. Her fortitude during periods of loss and personal difficulty has resonated with many communities across the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland during the darkest days of the Troubles.”
“I thank the Member for tabling this Matter of the Day. <BR /> <BR />In the early hours of 6 February 1952, the 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne, following the death of her father King George VI. Yesterday officially marked 70 years of the reign of Her Majesty The Queen. A platinum jubilee has never before been achieved by a sovereign in the history of this country. This is truly an extraordinary occasion. The seven decades have seen so much change across our communities: societal and technological changes and advances in many other areas. Prime Ministers, presidents and other world leaders have come and gone, but Her Majesty has reigned on. <BR /> <BR />Her Majesty The Queen has a special relationship with people of all ages, backgrounds and traditions across Northern Ireland.”
“Real families have lost loved ones, and the impact goes beyond the families. It affects first responders who are on the scene and causes them trauma. I reinforce the message to people to ensure that our roads are safe in the coming Christmas period.”
“Sadly, on Saturday, the number rose to 44, with the devastating news of the tragic loss of 12-year-old Aaron Webb, who died following a tragic accident the day before. My thoughts and prayers are with each of those families, and the family circles of those who lost loved ones. <BR /> <BR />As we enter the Christmas period, I urge everyone to be careful on our roads, and to be aware of other road users, pedestrians, and their surroundings. Just last year, 280 people were arrested for drink-driving during the PSNI's Christmas enforcement campaign. That is a shocking number of people. I urge people to not drink while driving, to not take drugs while driving, and to do the extra bit to ensure that our roads are as safe as they can be. <BR /> <BR />Those losses on the roads are not just statistics.”
“I want to take a few moments this afternoon to speak about the issue of road safety, particularly as we enter the Christmas period. On Friday night, I took part in a remembrance and celebration event for those who, tragically, lost their lives in road traffic collisions. The event was hosted in the Guildhall by Life After, which is a charity that supports bereaved families who have, sadly, lost loved ones in road traffic collisions. The event on Friday night was to remember the 43 lives that were, sadly, cut short as a result of road traffic collisions this year. As each of the names was read out, and the pictures were displayed on the screens, the devastating impact of the loss of those lives on the families and loved ones who were in attendance or watching online was so evident.”
“I congratulate both of them and all the winners, particularly those from Northern Ireland. They have done themselves, their schools and, most importantly, all of us in our communities proud.”
“While, no doubt, it was a shock and surprise for Michael, that is another well-deserved award. Two well-known figures have been congratulated on and received an award that they very much deserve. <BR /> <BR />It is poignant that Marie and Michael were able to share the awards and go to the special ceremony last night in the City of London with family, colleagues and friends. We are blessed in Northern Ireland to have so many teachers, principals and inspirational leaders in our schools. We have people who have made a real and genuine difference. St Mary's College and Lisneal College, along with St Cecilia's College, have done tremendous work in the shared education programme. It is fantastic to see two of those leaders recognised, particularly from the Foyle constituency.”
“It was, in particular, a great pleasure to see that that award went to Marie Lindsay of St Mary's College. Anybody who knows Marie knows that it is a well-deserved award. She has served over three decades in her career, inspiring many young people and generations across the board. I was particularly keen to see that. Her achievements have rightly been recognised by many not only across the constituency but across the world. Most notably, former US president, Bill Clinton, paid a glowing tribute to Marie and the work that she has done in her career. <BR /> <BR />Among those congratulating Marie on 'The One Show' was the principal of Lisneal College, Michael Allen. He came on the programme to give his congratulations, but, of course, he too was congratulated and left with an award: head teacher of the year in a secondary school.”
“Like many people across the country, I tuned in to 'The One Show' on Friday evening in anticipation of hearing the outcome of the national teaching awards lifetime achievement award.”
“The FICT report can and should be published. That is the position that was taken at the September Executive meeting. We want to see that happen. It is a matter for others to say why it has been blocked. People will judge that for themselves. The FICT report could be published today if there were a willingness to do so.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Again, we urge that the FICT report be published. That being said, the report is not going to solve all the ills in society. That is not to stop particular Departments from taking forward work in their areas. Of course, people and workers should not feel threatened when they are dealing with contentious issues. We have to work together with our local communities and reps. Speaking in my personal MLA capacity, I know that we do that in my constituency. Waiting for the report to be published should not prevent Departments doing work that is within their remit. Again, the report can be published, it should be published and we are certainly not blocking that.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As I said in my answer, at the Executive meeting on 23 September, there was agreement that the report should be published. In July, at the most recent FICT working group meeting, that was our position. Unfortunately, we have not been able to get to the position where that report will be published. The blockage is not from our side. I urge Members across the House to allow that report to be released. It is important that the public see the report and have their say. The blockage is certainly not from our side.”
“I agree that we need mutual respect right across the board to move forward, and that works both ways. The report discusses culture, conflict and rights, cultural identity and society. It looks at the issue cultural public spaces as well. That being said, whilst these reports can be brought forward, it is about actions and how people behave and feel. People have been disappointed by how certain political parties in the Chamber have conducted themselves during the centenary of Northern Ireland. <BR />The report has 45 recommendations. There are a number of areas in the report where consensus was not reached. They are described as "where challenges remain". We need to see mutual respect. Unfortunately, over the course of the past 12 months, we have not seen that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The FICT report was discussed at the most recent Executive meeting on 23 September, and there was agreement that the report should be published. Consideration is being given to how best to facilitate that.”
“If they do, it does not happen in a timely manner, so the condition with which they are dealing gets worse. They feel that they have no option — I have seen it in my personal experience — but to go to their emergency department and seek a face-to-face appointment to get advice there and then. <BR /> <BR />I urge the Department and the Health Minister — please — to try to break down the silos that exist in the health service between GPs and our emergency departments. The crisis will get worse. <BR /> <BR />I am proud of our National Health Service and of the staff in it. They deserve better. Patients in our society deserve better. We need to grapple with the situation before it becomes much worse.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am mindful that, later today, mention will be made of an additional £200 million going to our health service through the October monitoring round. Money alone will not solve the crisis that we face in our health service: there has to be fundamental change and reform. We need to get on with that reform urgently. There is no doubt that the pressure will increase as we enter and continue through the winter period. <BR /> <BR />We need to see a clear strategy and plan to ensure that not only the issues in our hospital settings but those in our GP services are addressed. Day and daily, my office is inundated with constituents who cannot get a face-to-face appointment with their GP. Despite the statements made in the media and in the Chamber, people cannot get face-to-face appointments.”
“I take the opportunity to raise serious concerns about the ongoing pressures in our health service. I do that particularly for patients who are seeking treatment and, indeed, the staff members who work tirelessly day in, day out. <BR /> <BR />Our emergency departments face particular pressures. We heard earlier today about the messages that have been put out to discourage people from going there. Obviously, people should go to our emergency departments only if they have genuine emergencies. However, when we hear that over 95 people were waiting to be seen in those departments, we have to say that there is something badly wrong with the system. I have seen at first hand the way that staff in our emergency departments are under pressure and how they try to support all the people there and to see them as quickly as they can.”
“It is important to note that, under COVID recovery, COVID-19 revitalisation funding of £19·3 million has been allocated to councils to enable support for a wide range of schemes, including physical interventions such as streetscape improvements, signage and dressing, as well as access and connectivity.”
“I thank the Member for his question, and I agree with him. In recent years, Departments have implemented programmes in our town and city centres to improve their attractiveness not only as places to shop but as places to work, socialise and invest in. The Government have been investing in our town and city centres for decades through regeneration programmes. New issues have emerged, however, and those have had significant impacts that need to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Funding has been approved to provide the secretarial support for the high street task force, and that will be located in the Department for Communities. At this stage, before Ministers have agreed the high street task force's final report and recommendations, it is too early to envisage what further funding will be required.”
“Speed is always important, but, at the same time, it is important that we get our actions right. The high street task force met on 8 September, and we will meet again on 20 October. It has a long-term focus on addressing the pressing need to transform our high streets in response to fundamental, societal and economic changes; indeed, as Mr Dickson mentioned, it is very much a long-term project. That transformation will not happen overnight. Significant work has already happened to get us to this point. The call for evidence will launch soon. It will provide an opportunity for people to have their say and will be an essential step in bringing to life the vision and seeing the results at street level.”
“I am confident that the members of the high street task force will do their work. When we bring forward the report, I am sure that it will be sufficient not only in looking at the long-term benefits of the high street voucher scheme but in ensuring how we reinvigorate our high streets in the future.”
“I thank the Member for that question, and, of course, I join him in welcoming Deborah Erskine to her place. I wish her well in representing the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. <BR /> <BR />I completely agree with the Member about the high street voucher scheme and the specific issues that it has, particularly relating to the Department for the Economy.”
“We will seek the widest possible engagement and sharing of views and experiences when the call for evidence gets under way. The findings from the call for evidence, together with other data, will inform a draft report and recommendations that will be subject to full public consultation and equality considerations before a final report is presented for agreement by the Executive by spring 2022.”
“I know that Members and their constituents share our goal of high streets that are thriving places for people to do business, socialise, shop, be creative and use public services, as well as, of course, being great places to live. The high street task force is chaired by junior Minister Kearney and me. As members, we have met people from across government, business, academia, professional bodies, trade unions and, indeed, the community and voluntary sectors. That has been identifying challenges and considering solutions to continue to make our high streets, towns and villages thriving and sustainable places. <BR /> <BR />The key themes and issues have been identified, and comprehensive engagement with stakeholders is currently being worked up and will commence later this month with a call for evidence.”
“As I said, the Executive Office budget includes £12 million for good relations. We continue to progress the T:BUC strategy. As we move into the Budget debate and look towards supporting good relations, that is very much at the forefront of our minds. Obviously, work remains to be done, particularly around the interfaces. The Department will continue to secure additional funding for that, if possible, in line with other commitments.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The agreed 2021-22 Executive Office budget includes funding of £12 million in total for good relations. The T:BUC strategy has the target of removing all interface structures by 2023. This year, a further £600,000 has been allocated towards the removal of all interface barriers. In total, over £6·3 million has been allocated across the T:BUC headline actions. A wide range of programmes contribute to progress on the interfaces. The Department will continue to progress this as we move into the new mandate.”
“The Department of Justice leads work on the interfaces programme, which is one of the seven headline actions under the Executive's Together: Building a United Community strategy. Over recent years, the number of Department of Justice-owned interface structures has reduced from 59 to 43. A number of other structures have been reduced in nature, and the opening times of interface gates have been extended to reduce the significant impediment that such structures present to local people. The Executive remain committed to working towards the reduction and removal of all interface security structures, and we look forward to seeing more progress in that area.”
“There is a five-party Executive, and, if we put our shoulders to the wheel, I am sure that we can make a much stronger case than if we come at it in such a divided way. <BR /> <BR />Speaking as an individual MLA, I say that the Executive will need to come back to this issue rapidly. It has been at the forefront of their minds, but we need to ensure that we provide as much certainty as possible to the people affected in our constituencies, particularly the Foyle constituency.”
“That is something that they need to hear loud and clear. <BR /> <BR />All of this is happening, of course, against the backdrop of increases in our cost of living — increases in energy bills and other household bills — job uncertainty and the cost of uniforms with the kids having just gone back to school. There is all that stress, and to go to those families and say, "Well, we're taking £80 per month off you" is an absolute and utter disgrace. We are also coming to the point at which furlough will end and Christmas is coming in. <BR /> <BR />There is an onus on all of us in the Chamber to set aside the political point-scoring. I have heard some of it, and we see it in the Foyle constituency day and daily. We need to stop that and to move forward collectively.”
“I welcome the action that the Minister took, along with Ministers from the other devolved Administrations, in writing to the UK Government to reiterate the position not only of people in the Chamber but of the Executive. The decision is not one that was taken by the Northern Ireland Executive. I appreciate that Members will call for action to be taken: the first priority was to raise the concern, and we need to now look at how we can ensure that people are not affected by the cut. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government talk about levelling up, and I champion further levelling up across the United Kingdom. Whether it is Northern Ireland, the north of England or the West Midlands, we need to see levelling up. The universal credit cut will disproportionately affect people in the areas that the Government say they want to see levelled up.”
“We also see the increase in homelessness. Our constituency offices see the stress and distress that people are going through. Unfortunately, in the Foyle constituency, we top the league table when it comes to the claimant level for universal credit. That should trouble all of us in this political Chamber. As others have said, it goes beyond political boundaries; it affects everybody across all of our communities.”
“We have seen an increase in the number of people having to claim universal credit through no fault of their own. Plunging families into further poverty is not right, and it is not something that this party will support. We need to support one another; we need to support the most vulnerable. Almost one in four of the working-age families in Northern Ireland will lose out through the cut to universal credit. Already, statistics show that one in four children in our society are in poverty. That is a stark and devastating statistic. It is a statistic, but it represents real people. <BR /> <BR />We see the devastation across the Foyle constituency, in particular, when we look at the increase in the number of people using food banks. I pay tribute to those who manage the food banks and acknowledge the sterling work that they do.”
“I very much welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue as an MLA for Foyle. Like many across the Chamber and Northern Ireland, I welcomed the decision by the UK Government to uplift the universal credit payment by £20 per week. At that time, it appeared to be a recognition by the UK Government that the incomes of our lowest-income families were being squeezed too much. The decision to increase the universal credit payment by £20 was a recognition that the payments were far from adequate. <BR /> <BR />The central role of our social security system is to support and protect people who are unable to work because of disability, for caring reasons, because they are looking after children or due to the consequences of the COVID pandemic.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I absolutely agree. Junior Minister Kearney and I have focused on trying to keep that momentum but also on giving space to the members with expertise in the group, in order to allow them to share their views and to ensure that, when we engage with the people in your constituency, businesses and chambers of commerce, we bring something that is effective and can be implemented. We also want to ensure that, if the timelines allow us to complete that piece of work by March 2022, it can be lifted and used and will continue to be of use for our town and city centres when new Ministers take up office.”
“I look forward to the next number of weeks, when we can bring forward all the proposals, and we can go out to the people in our communities to hear their views. Hopefully, we can bring something forward that can be used by all Ministers to try to make our high streets and town centres a better place for all of us to live in.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The high street task force, which, as I said, I chaired last week, has been focused, over the past months, on trying to get the mechanisms in place and hearing from the subgroup members. They brought forward all that information last week at the plenary meeting. I hope that, along with junior Minister Kearney, there will be another meeting in the next six weeks. Momentum has been building. There is a lot of expectation around the high street task force, and we are trying to manage that, but I am mindful that we have put in place support through the secretariat to move that along. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to all members of the high street task force. A huge amount of effort has been put in. Their expertise is very much valued.”
“<BR /> <BR />The task force has been actively engaged in establishing four subgroups, which have met on a number of occasions, and drawing up relevant themes that affect towns, city and village centres across Northern Ireland. A programme of comprehensive engagement and co-design with stakeholders, including councils, will commence very shortly, and the high street task force is aiming to complete its report and recommendations by March 2022.”
“Transformation will not happen overnight, and significant work has already gone into getting us to this point. Significant work has already been carried out by the Executive Office and the Department for Communities to set up the high street task force. Four bespoke subgroups, reflecting the four functions or work streams of the task force, have been set up, with the membership being as broad and as inclusive as possible. A dedicated staffing resource has been put in place, allowing the secretariat support to manage the high street task force to ensure overall governance, set direction, commission work and provide formal approval or sign-off on products.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary. Restoring the vibrancy of our high streets will take a number of phases over a period of years. Of course, as we have emerged from the lockdown, the immediate priority has been opening high streets and rolling out a COVID recovery strategy. That has been the focus of the Executive and the Executive COVID task force, which is headed by the head of the Civil Service. The high street task force, the latest meeting of which I chaired last week, has a longer-term focus of addressing the fundamental need for the transformation of our high streets in response to societal and economic changes. It is working to bring forward recommendations on priority work areas and potential funding opportunities. <BR /> <BR />It is very much a long-term project.”
“On 3 March 2021, the UK Government published documentation and application processes for the Levelling Up Fund, with the call for applications closing on 18 June. The UK Levelling Up Fund is managed and directed by the UK Government, which have not engaged with the high street task force or asked for its views to date. Northern Ireland Departments have no role in the promotion or assessment of the Levelling Up Fund, nor have they any control over the objectives or criteria against which applicants will be assessed. To date, the high street task force has not engaged with councils in relation to the Levelling Up Fund, but it will speak to councils and others in the near future as it develops its recommendations on shaping interventions and investments over the coming months.”