Caoimhe Archibald
East Londonderry · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Taken together, that points to a scheme that is operating effectively in its early stages, while, of course, remaining under review as further evidence becomes available. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend to the Assembly the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure.”
“The 2026 regulatory impact assessment estimates one-off employer familiarisation costs of up to £1·36 million, with wider HMRC implementation costs forecast at £1·5 million and annual systems maintenance costs of around £10,000. It may assist Members to note that early implementation has gone smoothly.”
“The amendment ensures the continued operation of those regulations and forms part of a wider package of legislative measures establishing statutory parental bereavement pay as an entitlement for bereaved parents.”
“The regulations before the Assembly today are a key part of that implementation and ensure the continued operation of the statutory parental bereavement pay framework. The policy objective is clear: to support bereaved working parents at a time of profound loss and provide a minimum standard of protection in law.”
“<BR /> <BR />The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations before the House today have come into operation before the Assembly debate has taken place and must then be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 20 September 2026.”
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“I thought that it I was informed on that issue — I, like many other Members, have signposted and supported victims of abuse — but that briefing, particularly the aspects of it in relation to coercive control, really had an impact on me. <BR /> <BR />Domestic abuse is a particularly insidious crime. It affects all aspects of a victim's life, including their working life. A victim may have to try to put on a brave face and do a day's work because there is no provision for leave. It may be the case that co-workers or managers suspect that a colleague is a victim of abuse but are unsure of how to support them. I think that we all probably recognise and support the need for special leave for victims of abuse.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee appreciates that that is a matter for the Economy Minister to take forward, but we believe that it is important that the issue is raised as part of today's proceedings. The Committee has written to the Economy Minister to highlight the Committee members' support for the provision. <BR /> <BR />I will add some brief remarks in my capacity as Sinn Féin economy spokesperson on the same theme. I felt that it was important to contribute to the debate because it is very important legislation, as Members have outlined. This Bill and others that are being brought forward are bringing much-needed reform to support victims of abuse, harassment and sexual crime. Last year — my party colleague Jemma Dolan referenced this earlier — Fermanagh Women's Aid briefed our Assembly team.”
“I will speak briefly, as Chair of the Economy Committee, about an issue that has been raised by the Chair of the Justice Committee and my party colleague Jemma Dolan. It attaches particularly to amendment No 32, which is a proposed new clause. It is an issue that is not specifically referenced in the Bill and is additional to the amendment, but this seemed to be the most logical place at which to speak about it. The Economy Committee is aware of the Justice Committee's report on the Bill; it suggests consideration of 10 days' special paid leave for victims of domestic abuse. That provision is supported by not only the Economy Committee but the Health and Justice Committees and a number of key stakeholder groups, not least the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.”
“I thank the Minister for her response, for giving the details of the timeline and for her update on part A of the scheme and what is intended to be paid by the end of this week. However, I am sure the Minister will understand why people were concerned, given that payments under part A are a fortnight late and part B has not opened, and given the financial difficulties and pressures that people and businesses are facing. <BR /> <BR />Earlier today, the joint First Minister made a statement and outlined additional support being made available for businesses. Will the Minister outline what form that will take and how quickly it will be paid out?”
“I thank the Minister for her responses so far. I caught your response to Martina Anderson about business support. I think that it is really important that that be raised as a matter of urgency with the Economy Minister. Further to Sinead McLaughlin's question, what advice would you give to people this Christmas?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. He will be well aware that ammonia emissions are a particular issue here not just in the North but across the island. There will be a debate on the issue later this afternoon. Work has been going on to inform an ammonia strategy. When can we expect publication of the draft strategy?”
“I look forward to persuading Mr Frew on its merits because, in some ways, we are hamstrung by the dribs and drabs of money from the British Treasury and by the one-year Budget. It is really important that we have that ability to plan our investment, our spending and the way in which we pay for things. I will leave it there.”
“The lack of detail and information about the shared prosperity fund and how it will be delivered is constantly being raised with us through the Committee for the Economy and at other engagements. I ask the Minister to comment on any further discussions that he has had with the British Treasury on that particular issue. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I refer to the representations that the Minister has made to the British Government around additional borrowing powers and flexibilities, because that is going to be crucial in giving the Executive the ability to shape the recovery. I look forward to hearing further details on the forthcoming fiscal commission, which the Minister intends to establish, as part of that broader conversation about economic and fiscal powers.”
“So, there is a need for support to start up and build capacity in our local businesses, and that is as well as tackling regional inequalities and supporting the decarbonisation of our economy. The supports that are being made available to businesses need to be developed in partnership with businesses to ensure that they are practical and are delivering what is required, and that is something that we will continue to raise with Invest NI and the Department for the Economy. <BR /> <BR />There is also a need for Invest NI and DFE to support businesses as they prepare to deal with the outworkings of Brexit. I know that the Minister is continuing to press the British Treasury on the need for funding for Brexit preparations and the replacement for our various EU programme funds.”
“In that context, it is disappointing that the British Chancellor moved to set only a one-year Budget, because the type of planning and investment for that recovery is going to have to be multi-year to address the major challenges that we face, along with the structural issues in our economy, which have resulted in the lowest productivity in these islands, and that will not be a quick fix. <BR /> <BR />I said in the previous debate, and I think that it is worth repeating, that there needs to be a focus for Invest NI, as our economic development agency, on the economy as a whole. We had a debate yesterday evening about the manufacturing sector, and I have seen, in recent days, the particular hit that that has had.”
“I have also raised the need for guidance for employers and workers. We understand the impact that COVID has on businesses, but, again, it is vital that workers and families have incomes and that people are not being forced to choose between their health and putting food on the table. <BR /> <BR />This has been a tumultuous time for our society, and the economic fallout continues. While we are, obviously, right now continuing to mitigate the worst impacts, there is a need to look towards and to plan for economic recovery. Obviously, that needs to be led by the Department for the Economy, but it must have a truly cross-departmental approach to it.”
“The Executive have indicated that it is, obviously, their intention to build capacity in our trace, trace and protect system as part of the strategy to move away from these circuit-breaker-type interventions. Investment in the health system will be required to develop that capacity in the test and trace operations, and support will be required for individuals to enable them to self-isolate. I welcome the discretionary support grant that the Minister for Communities has put in place. However, I am still hearing from workers who, when they have to self-isolate, are being told by employers that they should take leave — in some cases that is unpaid leave — and they are only entitled to statutory sick pay. I have raised the issue with the Economy Minister to see if anything additional can be done to support those people.”
“It has been a very stressful year for those young people, particularly those who have gone into first year at university or college and who had the issue with grades in August. Now, at a time that should be a really positive experience for a young person, they face great uncertainty and, in some cases, isolation and the worry of dealing with self-isolation and family worries. As with all of society, there will be a great toll on mental health, and we have called for the Economy and Health Ministers to look at what support might be needed with regard to that, and that will likely need to be resourced. <BR /> <BR />We know that restrictions have a huge toll on the economy and our way of life.”
“That was important, particularly for those young people who were trapped in rental contracts for houses that they are not using and still having to pay household bills but do not have the normal opportunities for part-time employment in cafes, pubs and shops that are all operating at a much reduced capacity. They continue to face difficult financial circumstances, and we will continue to monitor the support that is in that pot. We have raised that issue with the Economy Minister and will continue to highlight it, but it may need to be looked at again in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />My colleague John O'Dowd has called for support for the mental health and well-being of our young people and students.”
“We know that there will be a review in January, so we need to continue to make the case so that businesses can keep in contact with their workforces. That is particularly the case with sectors in which there are skilled workforces that are furloughed and may need to gear up quickly once the economy reopens and conditions improve. We need to make that case now and ensure that that support remains for those businesses. <BR /> <BR />Another issue that I would like to raise with the Minister — I know that he has been sympathetic to it, previously — is support for our students and young people, who have had a very tough year. A few months ago, the Executive allocated additional support for the student hardship fund.”
“They also need to be considered in whatever support is brought forward. <BR /> <BR />A number of schemes have been announced over recent weeks, and those have addressed some of the gaps, but there is now a need to address and evaluate what gaps remain with the support that has been offered. Some remain excluded after all these months, and we need to try to address those gaps. I ask the Minister to look at that in conjunction with Executive colleagues, so that bids can be made, speedily, to the Department of Finance to allocate the funding that remains at the centre to further supports. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Minister on his efforts to make the case on behalf of the Executive to extend the furlough scheme. Albeit that it was extended belatedly, that is very much welcomed.”
“While we await the newly self-employed scheme, we know that there are still groups of individuals and businesses that have missed out. Local newspapers are one such example and another is travel agents. I know that representatives of travel agents met Ministers last week, and, hopefully, we will see some support for that sector soon. Travel agents have highlighted to us the fact that they have had to provide refunds and things like that. The Economy Minister was asked about that yesterday, and she said that she recognised the need for support and was looking at it. She also referenced the fact that travel agents have been able to avail themselves of other supports. However, it is important to remember that, as with every group, there are anomalies. Not all travel agents work from an office; some are self-employed and work from home.”
“Under normal circumstances, businesses may have had reserves, but those reserves are much depleted and debts are mounting. That support needs to go out speedily. <BR /> <BR />We have asked a lot from people, and, when restrictions — the very necessary restrictions — are introduced to protect lives, financial support schemes need to be forthcoming. We all know the challenges that Departments face and the pressures that they are under, and we recognise the work that staff have put in, but the Finance Minister has allocated the funding, and Ministers and Departments need to step up that delivery, because businesses, jobs and livelihoods depend on it. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I know that you have voiced support on many occasions for giving support to those who have been excluded from previous schemes.”
“Since that money has been allocated, I have been contacted nearly every day — I am sure that other MLAs have been as well — about when those people can expect those schemes to open. I talk to business people every day, Mr Frew. I met some bus tour operators yesterday, and there is real frustration out there. We all get that. I know that it is not in the remit of the Finance Minister, but, once funding is allocated for schemes, it is important that those schemes get the money out to people as quickly as possible. Similarly, with the supports for those who are impacted by the restrictions, we still await the opening of the scheme for businesses in supply chains. The restrictions are due to end later this week, and many businesses have not yet received that support.”
“It is striking that, since we last discussed the Budget a couple of weeks ago, the financial picture for the Executive has changed yet again. An additional £400 million has been allocated to help with COVID pressures, which, of course, is very welcome, but that money has to be administered. Although there are plenty of pots that it could go into, there is a challenge in making sure that it is spent effectively before the end of the financial year. <BR /> <BR />Since we last debated the Bill, funding has been allocated to the Economy and Infrastructure Ministers for business support schemes for businesses that have been impacted by the restrictions, for newly self-employed people and for the taxi and coach sectors. The supports for the newly self-employed and the taxi and coach sectors have, in particular, been long awaited.”
“It must have a focus on dealing with the outworkings of Brexit and building on the opportunities of an all-island economy.”
“Just in time. Thanks, Linda. <BR /> <BR />I absolutely agree. Addressing diversity and increasing the uptake of STEM subjects by girls remain key. That is a hobby horse of mine. I could talk about it for quite some time, but I will move on. <BR /> <BR />In June, we published our economic recovery strategy, which proposes four principles for recovery: supporting workers and their families; supporting businesses to create and sustain jobs; a just transition through a green new deal; and giving the Executive the tools to resource recovery. The economic recovery strategy should link strategically with other Executive priorities and strategies, including, but certainly not limited to, major infrastructure projects, the anti-poverty strategy, skills development and, of course, climate action.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last year, looking to the medium term, Sinn Féin published its consultation document, 'Inclusive and Sustainable Growth', which proposes that economic development should be based on creating good jobs, improving productivity, addressing regional imbalances and decarbonising our economy. We advocate taking a sectoral approach that would see a mapping exercise of our economy for major sectors such as manufacturing, conducting an analysis of those sectors and their needs and developing an action plan for them. To achieve an effective action plan requires partnership working. We therefore propose the creation of sectoral partnerships involving industry, academia, government and trade unions. Skills will play an important part in any economic strategy, and the skills strategy needs to be advanced alongside —”
“However, there is a barrier to those companies being awarded government contracts in that tenders are evaluated on price alone, meaning that those contracts will likely be awarded to companies in other countries where those products have traditionally been sourced, due to their lower prices because they have bigger economies of scale, with no consideration to the need for security of supply or the local economic recovery. That needs to be addressed to give those local companies that have successfully diversified the chance to be competitive in that process. Across this island, there are opportunities to collaborate and cooperate to develop a thriving sector that creates and sustains employment, so I ask the Minister to work with her Executive colleagues to address the issues with procurement.”
“I ask that she look again at providing some vital cash flow support to those small businesses. <BR /> <BR />As we all know, the fragility of global supply chains was laid bare at the beginning of the pandemic when we had difficulty securing PPE. At that time, local companies stepped up to the challenge and diversified their operations. In my constituency of East Derry, companies such as Paragon Health in Ballykelly, Hutchinson Engineering in Kilrea and Armstrong Medical in Coleraine are among those that have played an important role in supporting our health service and society in general through the production of PPE and other items.”
“It is vital that there is planning now to support sectors such as manufacturing that have a skilled workforce, because it is likely that, once demand begins to resume as the economy opens up, they will need those workers. We need to continue to make the case that, in line with the approach adopted in other European states, they should be supported in keeping the connection with those workers and avoiding unnecessary redundancies. <BR /> <BR />The support from the Executive — the rates holiday and the inclusion of some small manufacturers in the business grant scheme — has also been crucial. However, I again make the case to the Minister that there are other small manufacturers that, simply due to the nature of their work, have larger premises and were therefore excluded from that support.”
“The furlough scheme in particular has been crucial, and Mr Middleton highlighted its particular importance to the manufacturing sector. The official statistics on the job retention scheme published in October show that, of the total number of employees furloughed in the manufacturing sector, 63% were fully furloughed and only 37% were partially furloughed while working some hours. That shows the disastrous impact that ending the furlough scheme and moving to the job support scheme, which requires a minimum number of hours to be worked by employees, would have had on manufacturing, resulting in many, many redundancies. The extension of the furlough scheme until March is welcome, but it is due to be reviewed in January.”
“The manufacturing sector is diverse, but all the businesses in it have been impacted negatively, to a greater or lesser extent, by COVID-19. Statistics published in September show a quarterly decrease in production of 14·9% and a decrease over the year of 22·2%. Some manufacturing businesses have faced vastly reduced demand, while others have faced consistent or even increased demands and had to deal with the necessary implementation of social distancing and hygiene measures. <BR /> <BR />In the short term, some supports have been provided to the sector in the form of direct job support from the British Treasury and the Executive. Those have been vital to prevent wide-scale job losses and business failures.”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I also send my solidarity to the workers and families of those facing job losses at Caterpillar and other companies that have faced a similar fate recently. <BR /> <BR />The latest Ulster Bank purchasing managers' index (PMI) published today paints a bleak picture: it has the economy in the North contracting by 15% this year. That shows the scale of the economic challenge that we face as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis. The manufacturing sector here comprises many indigenous businesses that are highly innovative, employing thousands of people, and that, as well as playing a vital role in our local and island economy, have a strong export presence.”
“I thank the Minister for her responses so far. Caterpillar indicated that these job losses are not related to COVID or Brexit. As part of the economic recovery strategy, will you look at encouraging the start-up and capacity building of indigenous business and at how we harness the potential of key sectors, meaning not just the more established ones but the developing ones, like green energy, creative industries and digital innovation etc?”
“I thank the Minister for the response. How long will it be until the money hits the communities?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important that we support businesses and other organisations during the exceptional circumstances that we continue to face. I welcome the fact that the Minister has outlined a further extension of support, if necessary, to support our local mutual organisations. This is a very difficult time for businesses and individuals, and it is important that these mitigating measures are put in place to allow business to continue.”
“The Committee agreed to the statutory rule for the regulations at its meeting on 7 October, subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules. The rule came into operation in September 2020. The Examiner of Statutory Rules has raised no issues with the rule. I support the motion to affirm the statutory rule on the Committee's behalf. <BR /> <BR />I also support the motion in my role as Sinn Fein's economy spokesperson. I had been contacted in September by some credit unions that were concerned about the expiration of the previous regulations, as the Minister has outlined, and the need to hold AGMs. This regulation extends the relevant period until the end of December and allows credit unions to conduct their business and continue to operate, either virtually or by other means.”
“I rise to speak, briefly, on behalf of the Committee and to support the motion on its behalf. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister has indicated, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Relevant Period for Meetings of Registered Societies and Credit Unions) Regulations (NI) 2020 amend the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 by extending the temporary relevant period for mutual societies to hold meetings in a flexible manner. The regulation replaces the end date of 30 September with the new date of 30 December 2020. <BR /> <BR />The Committee considered the SL1 for the regulations at its meeting on 23 September 2020, and members were content with the policy direction.”
“The Minister has outlined that, as I have been saying for many weeks, the ending of furlough would result in thousands of jobs lost and that the job support scheme would not be adequate. It is welcome that furlough is being extended, but does the Minister agree that it should be extended until at least until the end of the financial year to give businesses and workers certainty to plan and, for some businesses, retain a skilled workforce when demand returns?”
“I have previously asked the Minister and permanent secretary at Committee about the scale of ineligible payments, and, in response to my written question, the Minister indicated that officials were putting in place a process to deal with ineligible payments. Can the Minister outline whether, as part of that process, individuals or businesses that received erroneous payments have now been notified and asked to repay the money?”
“I have previously asked the Minister and permanent secretary —”
“Oversight of the spending of public money is something that we must all take very seriously, and my party is very aware of that since learning of erroneous payments to our offices last week. There is a need to ensure that money is returned to the public purse.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, as I have the opportunity, I will pick up on an issue that is often highlighted to me by my constituents in Magilligan. Under the phase 2 upgrade, a new passing loop and halting station were built at Bellarena. Parking facilities at the station have remained unfinished, however. Despite a lot of contact with Translink, that issue is as yet unresolved. It remains a frustration for the local community. Perhaps the Minister will look into that situation to see whether it can be resolved. <BR /> <BR />I thank my party colleague Martina Anderson for bringing forward the Adjournment topic. I look forward to continuing to engage with the Minister on these issues and on other constituency infrastructure projects.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of potential stops between Bellarena and Derry would bring the opportunity to deliver public transport services to more local communities, with linkages into Limavady, Ballykelly, Greysteel and, of course, City of Derry Airport. Points have already been made about the level of service. Improving that will also be vital. It is important that those additional stops be considered in more than just an aspirational way. We all understand that there are funding constraints, but we need to have vision and thus seek to identify funding and work towards delivering the work. As my party colleague outlined, infrastructure is vital to economic development and, in particular, to addressing the regional inequalities and imbalances that we have unfortunately seen over many decades.”
“As part of the urgent need to tackle the climate emergency by cutting emissions, increased public transport infrastructure is needed if we are to give people the opportunity and option to travel to work on public transport and encourage them to get out of their car. I was very pleased that she indicated that it will be included in the feasibility study. It is important that we take the opportunity to look at improving our communities' accessibility to rail infrastructure so that they have the opportunity to choose public transport for travel to work and to school and for leisure as part of their daily lives.”
“Beyond Coleraine, to the west, the frequency and the timing of services are less favourable than they are to the south-east, as my party colleague Martina Anderson and also Sinead McLaughlin outlined. There is a need to address the level of service to ensure that workers can get to Belfast for work in the morning on time. Night-time services are also required so that people have the opportunity to use public transport for leisure. <BR /> <BR />A few weeks ago, I asked the Minister whether, as part of the Coleraine to Derry rail line feasibility study, she would consider additional halts, and specifically a halt at Ballykelly, where the DAERA headquarters is located and where, under normal circumstances, a couple of hundred civil servants would be working.”
“I will speak briefly in this debate. I thought that maybe I was hijacking it a bit, but we have heard from Members for South Antrim and for Mid Ulster. <BR /> <BR />The unfortunate reality is that the only functioning rail infrastructure to Derry and the north-west is via Coleraine in my constituency, so I want to raise a couple of issues in relation to the Coleraine to Derry line.”
“I thank the Member for taking an intervention. Does he accept that the Economy Minister also has responsibility for bringing forward proposals for some of the businesses that he has highlighted?”
“Investing in capital infrastructure and skills development can be big drivers for our recovery. Much discussion is taking place in monitoring institutions about the role of the state in recovery. It is no surprise that I think that that is a positive discussion and one that we should seek to develop because of the huge economic challenges that we face and the need to encourage and drive a recovery that serves all our citizens. The Minister has spoken about putting a fiscal commission in place, and he has made representations on increased borrowing powers to the British Government. Those things are no-brainers, and it is vital that the Executive are given some levers to try to shape our recovery.”
“Invest NI should be key in delivering the programmes that support recovery, but there needs to be a change of focus from prioritising FDI and helping a select few to addressing all sectors of the economy and all areas across the North, particularly those that have suffered from underinvestment and economic inequalities. <BR /> <BR />There is a role for the Executive too in expediting, where possible, capital infrastructure projects and building an economic recovery on the basis of green energy projects and infrastructure. I have said before that a retrofitting programme is one example of how we can meet multiple priorities and highlights where there are real benefits from true, cross-departmental working. <BR /> <BR />That brings me to my final point. We are limited due to a lack of fiscal and borrowing powers.”
“I thank the LeasCheann Comhairle for that. We all need to look at how we move forward and, collectively, take responsibility and put our efforts towards getting the virus back under control. <BR /> <BR />On our economic recovery, some sectors have continued to operate and have expanded during the crisis. They need to be supported and encouraged to be innovative and flexible, where they can be, and to develop new talent and create jobs. I spoke yesterday about the need to look at the role of Invest NI and how the economic development agency needs to be at the core of our economic recovery — driving our recovery, supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs and supply chain diversification and innovation.”
“In the past number of months, there was strong community solidarity and buy-in, and that collective effort got us to the point where we were able to reopen; we need to get back to that.”
“Businesses impacted by restrictions need to be supported. Many have already put in place health and safety measures; they take public health responsibilities very seriously, and that needs to be recognised. We also need to support new ways of working. We all want to get our economy open and working, so there needs to be a focus in this period on planning the way forward for reopening and living with the virus. <BR /> <BR />Mr Givan has left the Chamber, but there is no place for finger-pointing at sections of our communities, so let us not muddy the waters with mixed messaging and scapegoating people. People want and respond to leadership and a united message from the Executive. We should all be very mindful of our words in respect of that.”
“It is critical that workers and their families have incomes and that people are not forced to choose between their health and putting food on the table. Core to limiting the spread of the virus is test, trace and isolate, and people need to be able to afford to isolate. <BR /> <BR />I urge the Minister to keep the pressure on the British Government for supports designed to protect jobs and incomes. I urge all other parties to support him in that, because there is strong support across the political spectrum in Britain on this too. Andy Burnham, for example, in Manchester, is making the case to protect and support low-paid workers. It is important that the case is made loud and clear on that. <BR /> <BR />We need to look towards our economic recovery and having a recovery strategy that is multi-layered and phased.”