Emma Pengelly
South Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“This week, I will travel to France to pay my respects to all those who fought and the many who fell at the Battle of the Somme as we mark its 110th anniversary. <BR /> <BR />From across Northern Ireland, generations have served their country.”
“One of the men who fought was James Sandford, my great-grandfather. He fought, he survived, he went on to fight again, and he was seriously injured in another battle. I am deeply proud of him, and I am proud of all those who stepped forward with such honour in the face of the horror of that war.”
“When I stand there this week, looking at the gravestones of so many who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom, I will also remember — we must always remember — the responsibility that we carry forward. Remembrance is not only about honouring the past; it is about shaping the future.”
“Last night, people in north Belfast witnessed horrific scenes that have absolutely sickened and appalled people across Northern Ireland. It was a shocking and barbaric act of violence that has left a victim fighting the consequences of a truly savage attack.”
“Every person has the right to walk their streets, live in their community and feel safe in their own neighbourhood. This type of brutality has no place in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I spoke with the Chief Constable and the Justice Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have also been in contact with the Prime Minister, because the PSNI has confirmed that the 30-year-old male who has been arrested is believed to be of Somalian heritage.”
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“Often, when we criticise the fact that shops are disappearing from the high street, we do not highlight the many that are still there and need our support. As elected representatives, we can highlight those small businesses, which are doing their best, and encourage people to go into our villages and town centres to support them.”
“Absolutely. Tackling dereliction and dilapidation on our high streets is important. There is no doubt that that causes a sense of decay and decline in our villages and town centres. It puts people off from coming to sit outside a cafe — mind you, you will not sit outside a cafe in this weather — or visiting the various things that our towns have to offer. However, it is important to say that we have incredible businesses in all of our towns and villages. I often get the opportunity to visit small businesses that are doing their best. Many of them supply high-quality local produce or locally made products. We should be really proud of those small businesses, and we all need to go into our towns and villages and support them.”
“On the back of my engagement with Hospitality Ulster, and aware of all the good work that it has been doing, I indicated that organisations across the UK were content for Northern Ireland to be used for that pilot. That is important, because, as I said to the Prime Minister, the roll-out of that pilot provides an opportunity to evaluate it and determine its effectiveness in, importantly, protecting small businesses, many of which are the backbone of towns and villages across Northern Ireland.”
“Absolutely. Week in and week out, we see some of our favourite coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and bars closing because of the immense pressure that they are under. The cost of doing business is much too high in Northern Ireland and across the UK. We need the Chancellor to step up and ensure that there is a Budget that supports business and our economy. However, there are other things that we can do. I call on the Economy Minister to do what she can to support our businesses. I know that the Member wholeheartedly supports, as do I, the VAT reduction campaign. I raised that issue directly with the Prime Minister in our meeting with him. He engaged with us and promised to come back to us on the VAT reduction pilot for Northern Ireland.”
“<BR />We are very aware of the issues, but, unfortunately, we are limited in what we can do, and we cannot control global events. When it comes to energy security and costs, we have, thus far, been subject to headwinds from elsewhere. We can, however, try to get our energy policy right. That is why, increasingly, we have been articulating not only our concerns but the opportunities that we feel exist, particularly around east-west connectivity, so that we make sure that we have stability of supply and support with costs, including for small businesses and those on our high streets.”
“Thank you. Again, we have to be particularly vigilant about that. We are aware that global events that are utterly outside our control impact on energy prices. We have been doing a significant amount of work — I think of the group that the head of the Civil Service set up — and regular monitoring to look at what is likely to be coming down the line. We are also participating on a UK-wide basis to push the UK Government on energy support schemes. We anticipate that additional proposals will be brought forward in the summer by the UK Government, but we want to make sure that those are fit for purpose for Northern Ireland and that we are included in the development of that policy so that the support can get to the businesses and people of Northern Ireland where and when they need it.”
“Of course, each Department is taking forward those 14 recommendations, and we will continue to liaise with them, but we believe that getting the right, UK-wide support, particularly through the tax system, is critical. That is why we have been lobbying the UK Government hard to make sure that they move towards a position of our having a Budget that is fit for purpose for business.”
“The Member raises an important issue about the challenges that we know are faced by our high streets. Many units on our high streets are now occupied by small businesses, and they are really struggling. Those small businesses are particularly hit by the rising costs of food and energy, as I indicated. Very often, those businesses survive on very small margins, and, when prices increase, that eats into their ability to do that and their sustainability. We recognise that they need support, but it has to be much wider than that particular grouping. <BR /> <BR />The task force's work has been completed, but that does not mean that the high streets do not require additional support and help. We are acutely aware of that. That is why growing the economy is a priority in the Programme for Government.”
“The £45 million regional balance fund supports councils in identifying and addressing specific economic challenges in their areas. It will be important to continue to engage with them, as key delivery partners, to ensure that we have thriving, sustainable high streets for us all to enjoy.”
“The high street task force concluded its work when it published its report in March 2022. It made a number of recommendations, which have been taken forward by ministerial colleagues in the Department for Communities, Department for the Economy, Department of Finance and Department for Infrastructure. We recognise the significant pressures facing small businesses here, particularly the impact of rising costs of food and fuel, and the challenges that they create for the sustainability and vitality of our high streets. In response, the Department of Finance has extended support through the small business rate relief scheme, which supports around 30,000 small businesses, to 2026-27. <BR /> <BR />Local councils also play a vital role in supporting and revitalising our high streets.”
“In Wales, what is absolutely clear is that, although there was a pro-Union majority out voting, split unionism cost those parties the First Minister position. The lesson for everyone in Northern Ireland is that split unionism costs seats and costs pro-Union parties the First Minister position. What happens then? The moment that someone gets the position of First Minister, they run off and try to build momentum that does not exist and to spin a reality that bears no relation to the facts. <BR /> <BR />I believe that the Union is strong. I believe in working together across the United Kingdom. Most of all, I believe in being deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland and in supporting everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“As outlined, in the Executive Office, the First Minister and I have different views on this. However, I will mention a number of key things. First of all, as outlined, Northern Ireland is led by a coequal First Minister and deputy First Minister. I am a unionist, and Michelle is a republican. We are not led by a nationalist. Secondly, Scotland has been led by a nationalist SNP First Minister for 20 years. That party's vote and number of seats have gone down.”
“What Northern Ireland really needs is a First Minister and deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland, not a First Minister for the abolition of Northern Ireland. We should be unashamedly proud of this place: I am. I will always turn up, stand up and speak up for Northern Ireland. I count it as a huge honour and responsibility to get the opportunity to do so. I want to see economic growth in Northern Ireland for absolutely everyone: unionist, nationalist and neither. That is the best way to stabilise this place and provide a better future for absolutely everyone, and that is what I am focused on doing.”
“As I indicated earlier in Question Time, we have tasked the new permanent secretary of the Executive Office to work with the particular branches on all those funding schemes. I know that some other Departments have been able to give out letters of offer to give some form of comfort, even for an interim two-month period, and I have asked them to actively look at that to see what we can do to ensure that some of the schemes can go ahead. We know that the later some of the projects start, the less impactful some of the interventions could be. Therefore, I want to try to get that support out to them despite the ongoing difficult budgetary situation.”
“Through the funding streams in the Executive Office, we will do everything that we can to make sure that we have the right help and support in the right places; that, where we can, we are looking at diversionary activities; and that we are working to make sure that there is community resilience both in the general community and among our young people so that they do not get dragged into that type of behaviour. It is not acceptable; it is absolutely wrong; and it is not wanted by the communities in which it happens. Often, the problem is caused by people from outside those communities who come in. Just a few weekends ago, we saw it in Londonderry, when a small community in the Fountain was threatened. Such behaviour is not acceptable, and we should do everything that we can to support those communities.”
“That is a really serious issue. We do not want to see young people partaking in that type of activity on the streets of Belfast or elsewhere. Over recent years, we have seen it flare up from time to time, and I am conscious of videos of incidents in Bangor, for example. This time, it was in east Belfast. It is fuelled by a range of things. It looks as though it was fuelled partly by alcohol and I am not sure what else. <BR /> <BR />The key message is that such behaviour is not wanted on our streets. We have a number of really good community organisations working with young people, and there are really good results coming out of that.”
“The Education Minister and the Communities Minister from my party can do that, so the Member and her colleagues should talk about delivery instead of criticising other people.”
“It is disappointing that we hear the attempt time and time again to stir up issues from the past to paint a particular picture. It is distraction and deflection from the fact that, for Ministers in the Member's party, there is a real struggle when it comes to delivery in some Departments. I will take the example of the A5, which sits with the Department for Infrastructure. I have put a solution to that issue to the Minister for Infrastructure: rather than waiting for her fate to be decided in the courts, we can take action to amend that legislation and provide certainty to allow those roads to go ahead. I say this to the Member: instead of coming into the Chamber to play politics, deflect and distract, I advise her to speak to her colleagues about getting on with delivery.”
“As I understand it, discussions are ongoing on the issue with the Economy Minister, if I read the public statement correctly. I understand that it was originally funded by the Department of Finance, that funding came to an end and that it had been embedded within the Department for Communities. It is an issue for those Ministers to respond to.”
“It is an area that requires significant investment and will do so in the years ahead. However, there is also an important balance to be achieved between having a stand-alone unit that will drive some of that progress and monitor the implementation and, on the other side, recognising the importance of AI being mainstreamed in Departments and agencies as business as usual. From speaking to and engaging with the CSTA, I think that her strong view is that it needs a dedicated resource to get it going and to continue to drive it forward, but, ultimately, success will be AI being mainstreamed in each Department and considered not as something exceptional sitting in a central unit but as something that is very much business as usual in every Department every day.”
“I recognise the importance of that agenda; indeed, it was my proposal to set up an Office of AI and Digital. When our Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser (CSTA) came into place, she was tasked with bringing forward that strategy. They are key and new initiatives by the Executive, contained in our Programme for Government. A detailed strategy has been brought forward, and that is under consideration. I am optimistic that we will be in a position to launch that publicly for consultation very shortly. I commend the CSTA for the huge amount of work that she has done. I recognise that a number of people have come on board and freely given their time to contribute to the draft strategy. That has been very valuable in this important area of work.”
“They want us to get on with fixing our health service, improving education and growing our economy, not running off, at the first little chink, and trying to talk about the abolition of the very place that we are elected to serve and to try to make work.”
“I will reiterate: a strong pro-Union majority voted in Scotland, and a strong pro-Union majority voted in Wales. There is a strong pro-Union majority across this United Kingdom. Unionism is the largest designation in this place, and Northern Ireland is led by a joint and co-equal First Minister who is also a strong and passionate unionist. Northern Ireland's future and the future of the Union of the United Kingdom is strong, and, every day, I will continue to fight for that strength and support across the United Kingdom. However, I will say this: the people whom we serve want us to get on with doing the business of government.”
“That is not something that the people of Northern Ireland genuinely deserve. I will be here, standing up for Northern Ireland. The future is bright for Northern Ireland. I am deeply proud of so many things that have happened in the past — our businesses, our economy, our achievements — and I know that Northern Ireland has a positive, strong and secure future within the Union of the United Kingdom.”
“I was pleased to see that there were clear pro-union majorities in Scotland and Wales. Of course, the First Minister and I have very different views on this. However, instead of listening to the spin, spin, spin, which is all about putting momentum behind destroying and pulling apart the United Kingdom, we should look at the facts. It is a fact that the SNP's seat numbers and popular support fell, and a strong pro-union majority voted in Scotland. It is a fact that a strong pro-union majority voted in Wales. <BR /> <BR />We have a First Minister in Scotland who wants to be the First Minister for Scotland; we have a First Minister coming into office in Wales who wants to be the First Minister of Wales; and we have a First Minister in Northern Ireland who wants to be First Minister for abolishing Northern Ireland.”
“If anybody should talk about flirtations with political parties, it should not be the Member. His relationship with the Labour Party has brought about precisely nothing for Northern Ireland. All he has been able to achieve is Starmer's stagnation of the economy, and, instead of standing in the Chamber and lambasting everyone else, perhaps he could go to the leader of his sister party at Westminster and ask for a bit more than a fundamental reset and actually start delivering for the people of Northern Ireland and, indeed, the entirety of the UK.”
“that it would have influence on the Labour Party and that it would be good for Northern Ireland. It has been a failure”
“One thing I know for sure is who the SDLP flirted with: Starmer's Labour Party. Not only did you praise and highlight time and time again the fact that it is your sister party — it is not just a flirtation; it is a marriage — you crossed the floor of the House to sit with that party. It is, frankly, embarrassing that, before Prime Minister Starmer and his Government came into power, the SDLP said to everyone”
“The reality is that they are democratic processes, and we will respect their outcome. I will work constructively with whomever the public democratically puts up, which is all about championing what is best for Northern Ireland. As I have said many times, I see my role as standing up and speaking up for Northern Ireland and all our sectors, our businesses and our sports; that is what I am here to do. I will work constructively on that in the future.”
“With your permission, I will ask junior Minister Bunting to answer the question.”
“We cannot defend our citizens and support those who are under real and genuine threat with just best wishes; we have to support actions that will bring real benefit and support and provide defence on the ground and in cyberspace.”
“You asked me whether I have concerns. I know who has concerns: the people of Ukraine when they see Russia roll tanks over their border and try to kill their citizens; the people of Ukraine when they see drones trying to kill them; the people of Poland; and the people of Latvia. Every single day, those countries feel the threat of conflict, once again, on their very doorstep. I know who is really worried: those who see the cyberattacks that are designed to bring people on to the streets in democracies and destabilise the very heart of what we are and what we try to do in democratic Parliaments. We should be concerned about that. Countries invest in defence because those threats are real. While his party may not stand up to defend Northern Ireland citizens who feel those threats — his citizens and that party's citizens — I will.”
“You are absolutely right. Given the global instability and conflicts, spend on defence is increasing. It is increasing in NATO countries and, as I said, on the eastern front of the European Union. It is increasing in every country that is trying to protect against cyberattacks and to protect its citizens. There will be huge growth in the sector in the next while. We all hope for peace, but we must be realistic about the real threats to our citizens. Therefore, I believe that the Economy Minister must make it a key sector. It is a key growth sector in a challenging global investment context. We must support it, because that growth will bring real benefit for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“Absolutely. That sector employs thousands of people and brings a huge amount of funding to Northern Ireland. It is full of innovation, skill and depth, and I am deeply proud of it. The sector defends the lives of people in Ukraine and beyond, and it brings security to a very unstable world. I will always turn up, stand up and speak up for all our sectors, including our aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. I look forward to going to Farnborough air show in the summer to do that. I will meet potential investors and support and champion our businesses, because I am really proud of Northern Ireland, and I will always take the opportunity to champion our businesses, our sports and our sectors.”
“There is concern and a growing defence budget because countries want to protect their citizens. With the greatest respect, countries cannot protect their citizens with best wishes and breadsticks; they have to protect their citizens through strong defence. Global conflicts have an impact here given the cybersecurity attacks and disruption around undersea cables. It is not only a necessity but we have a duty to stand up and support our businesses that are prepared to provide security, support and defence for all citizens across these islands.”
“As I outlined in a previous answer, economic growth is incredibly important. It is what brings in the taxes that enable any Government to invest in their public services, creates the jobs for young people who are coming through and creates the robustness in our economy that keeps young people here rather than having to go away. The aerospace, defence, security and space sector has a critical role to play in that. I am proud of that sector. It has depth, innovation and excellence. I have worked very closely with ADS Group in Northern Ireland, which is seeing more and more companies come forward that are included in those supply chains. <BR /> <BR />Of course, those companies play a pivotal role in global security. The reality is that there are existential threats to many countries on the eastern front of the European Union.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are globally recognised for our commitment to developing world-class, innovative technology for the aerospace, defence, security and space sector. The deal will help to ensure that we can reach our full potential.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 5, 6 and 8 together. <BR /> <BR />The £50 million defence growth deal has the potential to deliver a wide range of economic benefits. I was pleased to join the Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, and the NIO Minister, Matthew Patrick, at the defence growth deal's launch on 22 April and to see at first hand the breadth and depth of opportunities that it presents for local companies. The deal places a strong emphasis on capability-building, innovation and skills pipelines to further enhance what we have to offer. It includes a targeted programme to help start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises enter the supply chain, ensuring that they can avail themselves of the many available opportunities.”
“We are certainly looking at ways to drive efficiency across all our funding schemes, particularly in the administration of all our funds, in order to maximise the amount of money that we can give out to those on the front line.”
“Thank you. As the Member will be aware from his time on the Committee, the central good relations fund is an in-year fund that is designed to support flexibility for organisations to identify particular needs and to apply for funding for an in-year project. It is not core funding. I acknowledge, however, that organisations' core funding has also been squeezed. There is no doubt that everyone feels that squeeze through staff wage increases, energy cost increases, food inflation and lots of other issues. I hear from organisations on the ground that the need that is presented to them has increased. I thank them for the incredible work that they do in very difficult circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, due to the Budget situation, I cannot give a commitment that we will be able to increase that fund.”
“<BR /> <BR />Through the elections in Great Britain, the people of the United Kingdom have sent the message to the Prime Minister that they are sick of Starmer's stagnation on economic growth and the economy. We need significant change, not just another reset or more tinkering around the edges. We need a fundamental change in the Government in order to unlock economic growth across the entire United Kingdom.”
“I thank the Member for his question, which is, of course, important but also timely. There is no doubt that, following the elections just last week, we have seen growing frustration with the Prime Minister across Great Britain. We have raised that issue with the Prime Minister since he came into office two years ago. The reality is that, without economic growth, there are limited opportunities to invest in public services, and people are seeing that. We need economic growth across the United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland. That means that we must have a Government who put in place the right foundations, policies and Budgets for economic growth. That is what I want to see.”
“As the Member is undoubtedly aware, his party colleague in the Department of Finance has produced a draft Budget but has acknowledged the difficulties with it and the significant gap in funding. That means that we have not secured a Budget for this year, which makes it difficult for any Departments to give onward confirmation to organisations. Just last week, we met the permanent secretary of the Executive Office. We engaged with her and other officials to ask what can be done in this period of comparative uncertainty to give at least some certainty and to get some funding out in the interim. We will continue to work on doing that.”
“The central good relations fund provides support to groups in the community and voluntary sector to deliver good relations projects where there is evidence of identified good relations need. Since 2016, we have provided over £30 million in funding to support more than 950 projects, impacting on 320,000 people. The community organisations that are supported by the fund work incredibly hard to address good relations issues here, and I thank them all for the work that they do. <BR /> <BR />Discussions on the wider budget position are ongoing. We hope to notify successful applicants to the fund as soon as possible.”
“In the Executive, it is critical that we work with the Finance Minister, the First Minister and the head of the Civil Service to drive the reform agenda across every Department and every aspect of our public service.”
“It is an exceptionally important issue. I commend the Member for all the work that she is doing on the Finance Committee to drive the agenda of transformation, efficiency and reform across our Civil Service and public sector. As I said, we cannot continue to do things as we have done them. We have to have fundamental change. People are fed up with our tinkering around the edges. They want something significant. They want game changers. They want us to wake up, cut through the processes and make progress on the things that will improve their lives. I have continuously pursued that mantra, as has the Member, and I know that our party, the DUP, will continue to push for that being done.”
“It is not just about sitting at the centre in the Executive Office but about working across Departments, breaking out of silos and bringing about the results that we want to see.”
“As I have already said, things take much too long, and people are deeply frustrated by a lack of delivery. At times, I am deeply frustrated by how long things take. We cannot continue to do things as we have been doing them. We have to have change. We have to place a focus on delivery. That is why, at an early stage, the First Minister and I had discussions about what we could do to create game changers in the system that, although small, would bring about transformation. <BR /> <BR />I often refer to the big issues as being like big ships that we need to turn in the harbour, but we know, from looking at experience elsewhere, that delivery units can be the tugboats that support the making of tangible difference on key issues. That is what we need.”
“I will always fight and argue for more funding for transformation, because that is the only way to reach sustainability. However, I am also very conscious that increasing that pot will require additional help and support from the Treasury. We are working on that, but I am not entirely optimistic that we will get significant amounts above and beyond what we need to keep our public services going in the next 12 months.”
“Absolutely, in an ideal world, we would increase funding. However, this is the challenge that we have always faced and will continue to face. Bringing about transformation requires investment. However, keeping front-line services going requires funding. At a time when we are fiscally constrained, it is exceptionally difficult to do that. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the engagement from the Health Minister. Looking at what has come through from the Department and delivery unit about progress on health waiting lists, I can see that it demonstrates that where you ring-fence funding — the funding for health waiting list transformation was ring-fenced in the previous Budget — you will see real and tangible benefits for people. <BR /> <BR />We have to do both together.”