Andy Allen
East Belfast · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for her question. There are two accessible toilet cubicles available to visitors on the ground floor, one designated for male use and one for female use. On the first floor, there is an additional accessible toilet facility that is available for use by all visitors.”
“Before I begin, I declare an interest as a trustee of a charity. Through that role, I have seen at first hand the valuable work that charities carry out and the responsibilities that fall on trustees to ensure that organisations are properly governed.”
“I thank the Member for her follow-up question. While no formal assessment has been undertaken to establish a direct correlation between facilities and attendance by people with disabilities, we regularly engage with and welcome to Parliament Buildings people with disabilities through a range of forums, including involvement with the Youth…”
“<BR /> <BR />Perhaps the most significant issue for scrutiny is the extent to which important operational detail is being transferred from primary legislation into regulations.”
“Nevertheless, it would be useful to know how concerns relating to such organisations, should they arise, would be addressed and how cooperation between regulators would operate should issues arise.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission installed a Changing Places facility in Parliament Buildings in 2011. Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of many people, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities.”
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“The Member says that the party to his left said that the motion is not right and that it would not work, but, when offered the opportunity to table an amendment to the motion to recognise that, it did not take it.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, have you given any consideration to supplementing the Northern Ireland sustainable energy programme? Can you perhaps provide your assessment of its effectiveness?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. No doubt he will recall the recent Public Accounts Committee report, which highlighted stark failings in the child poverty strategy. What steps is he taking to ensure that the same failings, such as its not being fully costed or sufficiently targeted and not properly working with all stakeholders, are not repeated?”
“I thank the Minister for his update on active travel. Minister, what are you doing to ensure that the voice of the disabled community is at the forefront of active travel, particularly on schemes such as bus stop boarders that have an impact on the disabled community? Will those, such as the example on the Dublin Road be addressed?”
“The Minister will, no doubt, recognise my regular communication with his Department on behalf of my constituents who are languishing on waiting lists. Indeed, I welcome his comments on waiting lists and the actions and initiatives that he is taking, but it is clear that much more work needs to be done. Can the Minister advise the House how much funding the Executive have allocated to his Department for specific waiting list initiatives?”
“As I said to the Member, the Commission is always open to receiving feedback from Members, staff and other interested parties and stakeholders. The Commission regularly engages with a wide cohort of people on accessibility measures. If Members right across the House, staff who may be listening or charities are aware of any particular barriers or accessibility issues, I encourage them to make them known to the Commission. Only if we know about them can we take steps to address them.”
“A consultant has been appointed and is doing a preliminary scoping exercise before the survey commences next year. Once the DDA audit is complete, we will carefully consider its findings and develop a plan of action to implement any necessary adaptations. The plan may include making physical modifications to the Building, as well as implementing technological solutions and procedural changes.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Colleagues will know that that is an area in which I have had significant interest since becoming a Member. The Member may be aware that, over the years, the Assembly Commission has introduced a number of physical alterations to the Building and undertaken a number of initiatives to improve Parliament Buildings' accessibility. The Assembly Commission is committed to ensuring that Parliament Buildings is accessible to all, and we are always open to receiving feedback. To that end, the Assembly Commission has commissioned a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) audit. That comprehensive audit will identify any areas in which improvements can be made in order to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.”
“As I said, the Assembly Commission has conducted a review. As to an audit, I will write to the Member with those details.”
“Whilst it is anticipated that these steps will assist in the wider management and governance of ID passes, there remains nonetheless a clear responsibility on Members and parties to ensure that records are fully accurate and that Usher Services are promptly advised of any changes.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Usher Services staff issue Assembly ID passes on request to party staff in accordance with the d'Hondt formula, and some of those staff may also work in constituency offices. Members are also issued with three ID passes for use by their staff or other nominees. Usher Services staff therefore rely heavily on accurate and prompt communication from Members and parties in relation to the initial issuing of ID passes and any changes thereafter, including the termination of any staff. <BR /> <BR />A procedure has been put in place whereby Members and parties will be requested to review their ID pass allocation twice yearly for accuracy and to highlight any previously un-notified changes. Assembly Finance will also notify Usher Services of the termination of any party staff in receipt of salary.”
“The Minister will no doubt be aware that today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and, as we speak, in City Hall, the Equality Commission is holding a conference called Breaking Barriers, Building Futures. To that end, will the Minister advise what steps her Department is taking in the Civil Service to remove barriers for people with disabilities and to enable them to take up roles in the Civil Service?”
“I am not sure whether the Member joined NIFHA during its recent mobile billboard campaign, but will she recognise that one of the statistics that it highlighted in that campaign was that, at the current rate, we will not tackle the housing waiting list until 2064?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, some two years ago, your predecessor, who is now the Communities Minister, indicated to me that the regulatory powers of the Utility Regulator would be reviewed under the energy supply strategy. Will you provide an update on that? If the Speaker will indulge me, will you also tell me whether any of your conversations centred on the extension of the warm home discount scheme to Northern Ireland?”
“It is undeniable that there have been positive steps in responding to homelessness since the Executive returned in 2024 — Mr Kingston highlighted some of those steps — but we need resources for the social housing build and a properly funded homelessness strategy if we are to turn the curve. The brutal reality for the many thousands who are looking to us for answers is that those developments, whilst welcomed, as highlighted, do not begin to scratch the surface for those who need to be supported.”
“Over the past five years, spend on temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland has increased by 495%, as we have heard from other Members, to £340·5 million. Nearly a third of households on the waiting list — 29% — have been waiting for over five years for quality, affordable housing of their own. <BR /> <BR />A home is more than a roof over someone's head. Our homes are the foundations for our lives. Having somewhere safe and secure that we can call "home" is essential in supporting our health and well-being. People are getting stuck in a cycle of homelessness, due to fewer and fewer affordable housing options.”
“We have families and individuals living out of suitcases or black bin bags. Friendships and families are being pushed to breaking point. <BR /> <BR />Do the official figures, as has been highlighted, truly account for the scale of our housing challenges? Do they account for those who are unknown to us — the hidden homeless? According to recent Simon Community research, there are up to an additional 25,000 people outside the system who are not getting the support that they so desperately need. Over the past six months, over 8,000 households presented as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. That equates to 45 homeless presentations every day. That is 45 individuals and families, from young people to pensioners, who have nowhere to go, and it results in them being put into temporary accommodation.”
“Those challenges are exacerbated by the undersupply of housing, an increased need over many years and pressures on temporary accommodation, as mentioned by others, that have pushed the ladder to breaking point. At least 58,241 people are legally homeless: that is one in every 33 people in Northern Ireland. As I have highlighted in other debates in the House, the increased housing need and the pressures on temporary accommodation are resulting in individuals and families being moved many miles from their communities, support networks, work and schools. Many of those people rely on the goodwill of others to provide a roof over their heads where temporary accommodation cannot be found or is impractical, due to its being too far away from school and work, to mention but a few.”
“As has been mentioned, Homelessness Awareness Week is a week of social and educational events that aim to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness in Northern Ireland. Homeless Connect facilitates Homelessness Awareness Week on behalf of the sector. Held annually, it seeks to challenge the stigma around homelessness and highlight the vital work of the homelessness sector in Northern Ireland. I echo the comments of tribute that have been made to the many thousands who work day and night in the housing and homelessness sector. Their work, often delivered against a backdrop of immense pressure, truly makes a difference. <BR /> <BR />It is undeniable that Northern Ireland faces unprecedented challenges when it comes to homelessness.”
“I appreciate that the Minister has already mentioned that most of this is an operational matter for the Housing Executive. However, is he able to advise whether he has had any engagement with the Housing Executive on providing funding for its cavity wall insulation plans? <BR /> <BR />If you will indulge me, Mr Speaker, I encourage Members, if they have time between now and 3.00 pm, to engage with National Energy Action, who are taking photos in the Great Hall to mark Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, which is tomorrow.”
“They do not look at the medium-term to longer-term impacts of fuel poverty, at lifting households out of fuel poverty or at the other impacts and consequences that I have mentioned. That is why it is important that the fuel poverty strategy be underpinned by the required funding. It needs to have an action plan that is tangible and robust and that measures the outcomes.”
“A recent report by Barnardo's titled 'Empty Plates and Cold Homes' further highlighted the strain that fuel poverty places on families and the impacts from growing up in a cold and damp home. Indeed, cold homes and poor living conditions are linked to housing insecurity. For too many, living in leaky homes with poor insulation only adds to the strain. <BR /> <BR />The situation is bleak, but there are solutions. I welcome the draft Programme for Government's commitment to introducing a new fuel poverty strategy by 2025. I look forward to the consultation's launch. The strategy must be backed up by short-, medium- and long-term measures. Various Ministers have announced short-term measures in the House on numerous occasions. Although those measures are welcome and important, and their impact undeniable, they are short-term measures.”
“More than one in four households — 27% — has gone without heating or electricity on at least one occasion as a result of not being able to afford the cost of energy. <BR /> <BR />As we know, there are significant impacts on health and well-being from fuel poverty, with 31% of households reporting health impacts as a result of rising energy prices and the cost of living, including 14% that have experienced a deterioration in existing health conditions, and 5% that have required more visits to a GP or to hospital. Fuel poverty, as I said, is wide-ranging, and its impacts are undeniable. The 2024 Carers NI state of caring survey highlighted the fact that 28% of carers are cutting back on essentials such as food and heating.”
“As chairperson of the all-party group on fuel poverty, I bring to the House's attention National Energy Action's Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, which is tomorrow, Wednesday 27 November. The cold, hard facts of fuel poverty and its wide-ranging impacts are undeniable. LucidTalk polling in September 2024 for National Energy Action Northern Ireland found that 40% of households are spending at least 10% of their income on energy and therefore meet the definition of "fuel poverty". The continued pressure on household budgets has led to detrimental coping mechanisms. One in 10 households admitted to cutting back on food or skipping meals in the past 24 months because of energy costs. That means that the choice between heating and eating is a reality for around 80,000 households.”
“I join colleagues in welcoming the positive announcement by the Minister. I recognise the action. My party and I have engaged with him positively on those measures and others, and I am sure that he will recognise that. <BR /> <BR />The Minister highlighted the increased uptake in applications for pension credit. Will he provide more information on the number of those that will result in a positive award, how many will fall within backdating processes and how the policy aligns with his ambitions for the fuel poverty strategy?”
“<BR /> <BR />We must also prioritise the preservation of historic buildings such as the Assembly Rooms and turn them into cultural and economic assets. By celebrating Belfast's heritage while fostering growth, we can create a city centre that balances its past with a vision for the future. With focused, collaborative and innovative policies and investment, we can transform derelict spaces into thriving hubs of community and commerce, ensuring that Belfast becomes a source of pride and opportunity for all.”
“However, such a proposal must be examined in detail to avoid any adverse impacts or unintended consequences that cause a chill factor, as per the concern raised in the amendment. <BR /> <BR />A renewed Living over the Shop scheme, for example, could help transform unused spaces into much-needed housing, boosting footfall and supporting local businesses while helping with the housing crisis. As has been mentioned, Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant programme is a promising step forward and has already breathed new life into 26 properties in the city centre, with more projects under way. In addition, other important work is being taken forward. For example, in east Belfast, an action group has been convened, and I look forward to attending the launch of a vision for the Newtownards Road next week.”
“Dereliction in Belfast city centre, particularly around the Tribeca Belfast site, demands urgent attention. What should have been a symbol of regeneration has become a site of neglect, impacting on the city's appearance and economy and on community morale. Derelict properties and vacant land result in lost revenue from unpaid rates — funds that could support essential local services — and deter footfall, harming businesses and undermining Belfast's potential as a vibrant hub of activity. A proactive approach to tackling those issues is essential. Introducing a vacant land tax may incentivise property owners to develop or release unused sites, unlocking opportunities for investment and growth.”
“I, too, join colleagues in thanking the Minister for his proactive approach on the matter. Will the Minister give a commitment that, when it comes to the allocation of funding, the trusts and his Department will work at pace to see tangible proposals and the delivery of support on the ground?”
“The Member will recognise that Members from across the House have placed significant emphasis, perhaps rightly, on the anti-poverty strategy. Does he agree that it is important that the Department learns the lessons from the recent Public Accounts Committee report on child poverty?”
“Does the Member recognise that, had this place not been abruptly pulled down for a considerable number of years, we might already have seen action on these important issues?”
“I am sure that the Minister, like many Members around the House, recognises that, in 2024, there is a vast array of lending options available to consumers, in particular, young people. In that vein, what engagement has he had with his colleague the Minister of Education on taking a preventative approach with younger people and providing advice and guidance in education settings?”
“What is the Minister's assessment of the current enforcement powers, and how effective does he feel they are?”
“I am sure that the Minister will agree that the housing crisis and the challenges that face housing are not unique to Northern Ireland. Will he talk about any engagement that he has had with colleagues in the UK Government about support from them? The Minister mentioned tackling the UK-wide housing crisis in his recent statement on housing.”
“Indeed, a point that I highlighted last week is that I do not even believe that that is the true extent of our housing crisis. <BR /> <BR />Fundamentally, we need to deliver. We need to deliver change. We have the housing supply strategy. I am prepared to put my shoulder to the wheel with the Minister. My colleagues are prepared to do the same. We need to do all that we can to deliver for those who need us to do so.”
“It was just last week, as has been commented on, that we declared, again, a housing emergency. Again, we referred to having a housing crisis, but we seem not to be able to get a grip of it. <BR /> <BR />We need to tackle it head-on. We need to look at the broad range of issues and the broad range of solutions. We need to look at how we can tackle issues in areas such as water and waste water infrastructure. There are instances where we are going forward with developments, but the infrastructure is not there to deliver them. We know that we have a problem. We can continue talking about it or we can collectively put our shoulder to the wheel and deliver for the over 47,000 households on the waiting lists. I will put that in context: those over 47,000 households would fill our national football stadium more than twice over.”
“They are people right across all our communities. We are all fortunate: each one of us here this evening will go home to a warm home. How many of our constituents can say that? Each one of us will go home to a roof over our head. How many of our constituents can say that? Who knows? Any one of us could be at risk of homelessness. That is why it is important to get this right and do all that we can and collectively work together. We can stand and pontificate, point fingers and blame, but I know, as, I am sure, does every Member, that that it is not what our constituents want. They want us to work together, work with the housing associations, other providers and interested parties and work with cross-departmental colleagues to deliver change. We need to lay the foundations of change.”
“It results in many instances of children being unable to attend school. I have seen that in my office. <BR /> <BR />We have moved from a system of prevention and intervention to a system of managing expectations. That is the fundamental reality of what we have, because demand is far outstripping supply. We and, indeed, many of those on the front line — they have been commended, and I echo those comments — in the Housing Executive and in the plethora of organisations at the coalface are managing the expectations of constituents and of those who, in desperation, are reaching out to them for help and support. I will come back to the important point that the reality is that demand is far outstripping supply. <BR /> <BR />We look at the statistics, and, as Members said, these are ordinary people.”
“Each year, when the House has been sitting, we have talked about housing, homelessness, poverty and the impacts that those different issues have on our constituents and many of the people who come to our offices. Many of us can talk about the horror stories and the situations that constituents are highlighting: for example, living out of black bin bags; living out of suitcases; being moved right across Northern Ireland; or going to the Housing Executive only to be told that the temporary accommodation being provided is tens of miles away from their communities, their support networks and where they grew up. The reality is that, in many cases, homelessness leads to people and their children being lifted from the communities that they have known and, as I said, from their support networks and the areas that they know and are accustomed to.”
“I join colleagues in thanking the Member opposite for securing this important Adjournment debate. Those who may be tuning in would be forgiven for mistaking which constituency we are talking about. Obviously, today, we are talking about South Down, but the statistics show that the impact of homelessness and the lack of social housing and housing provision on individuals is not unique to South Down; it is reflected across every one of our constituencies. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister back from his recent trip to the US and look forward to hearing his comments on the work that he and his Department are doing to tackle this important issue. <BR /> <BR />I have had the immense honour of representing East Belfast for nine years.”
“<BR /> <BR />Almost 20 years ago, in a presentation to the Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs, representatives of housing bodies here highlighted the scale of the crisis, but it seems that what they said was either unheeded or the steps and measures that were taken at that point were not sufficient to address the challenges that Northern Ireland faced. Standing still is not an option. We owe it to future generations to act now by setting clear targets, increasing funding and utilising public land effectively. <BR /> <BR />The Good Friday Agreement laid the foundations for peace, but we have failed to build on those foundations when it comes to housing and so many other aspects of public life. Now is the time to right that wrong.”
“Local stakeholders should help to identify suitable locations, and affordability must be at the heart of new projects. The Minister for Communities is not here, but I look forward to hearing from his colleague, who used to be in the post, on the proposals that he intends to bring forward. We have the intermediate rent offering coming forward, but, again, that, on its own, will not be enough to address the crisis that is before us. We need to look at how we can scale up that project and deliver more.”
“Reforming the planning system, which my colleague the Deputy Chair of the Infrastructure Committee will touch on in more detail shortly, is vital to speeding up approval for social and affordable housing. Public land, particularly derelict land such as that identified by the BUILD project in the greater Shankill, should be made available for mixed-tenure housing. There are many examples of projects like BUILD that have done tremendous work to highlight the plight of dereliction across that community. We need a proportionate rethink of how we assess housing need in areas. <BR /> <BR />There is available land. We need to be proportionate and balanced in how we address that. Community involvement in the planning process is crucial.”
“An ambitious target of delivering at least 5,000 social homes per year is required, but we cannot say that in isolation: we need to create the conditions to build up to that. As I have said, simply building more homes will not be enough on its own. We must adopt a place-shaping approach by integrating housing with local infrastructure, services and amenities for the benefit of entire communities. We must create homes not just houses, learning from global examples in which integration has been a success. <BR /> <BR />Adequate financial resources are essential. Empowering the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to borrow is key to its investing in existing housing stock and building new homes.”
“The number on the social housing waiting list represents individuals and families who are living in overcrowded conditions, sofa-surfing, sleeping on floors or stuck in temporary accommodation — if they can get it — that is far from schools, work and their support networks, upon which many of them rely. <BR /> <BR />We must recognise social housing as the critical public service that it is and recognise that it requires a plan of action. While meaningful change will take time, we must lay the foundations now for building solutions to the crisis. The key to addressing the housing emergency is to build more homes, but, as other Members have stated, simply building more homes is not the sole solution to the problem.”
“To put that number in context, it would fill our national football stadium, Windsor Park, two times over. Twice. I have sat in that stadium many times and seen the size and scale of it. The number of households on the social housing waiting list would fill it twice. Is that the true reality of our housing crisis? I ask that because I have delved deeper into it, as have other Members, and have had many constituents come to me, time and time again, to highlight that they have been taken off the housing waiting list because they did not receive a letter to renew their application or do not recall receiving one. Therefore, I question whether the statistics before us are a true reality of our housing crisis.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. Despite some of their pontificating, I thank the Members opposite for tabling it. You would nearly believe that they had not recently been in the Executive, but we will leave that aside, because the people in our communities need us to be working together. I am interested to hear the Opposition's plans: I am no apologist for the Executive, but I have not heard the Opposition's alternatives. <BR /> <BR />It is undeniable that Northern Ireland is in the midst of a housing emergency. The figures and statistics, which represent real people, speak for themselves. As of March this year, 47,312 households were on the social housing waiting list. That represents a 1·8% increase from December and a 4·9% rise from last year.”
“I join the Minister and colleagues in welcoming this positive announcement. Minister, can you perhaps place on record for any of our constituents who may be watching what assistance your Department can provide to under-represented groups in our society — in particular, those with disabilities — who may want to apply for those jobs?”
“It is my understanding that energy efficiency measures were the cornerstone of that pilot project in North Belfast. In that context, what steps is his Department taking to understand the measures that have been introduced through that pilot project in order to share that learning across the wider housing sector and beyond?”
“Energy efficiency measures to lift households out of fuel poverty are vital. Did the Minister have any conversations with BIC colleagues about energy efficiency measures, and did he take away any learning from them?”