John Stewart
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Decisions taken over the next two months will determine whether Northern Ireland has a modern, responsive enterprise service or whether we simply roll forward a model that increasingly struggles to keep pace with the world around it.”
“<BR /> <BR />I understand that significant efforts have been made to bring the Department for the Economy, councils and Enterprise NI around a table to design collaboratively the modernised service for 2027, yet that meeting still has not happened. That is deeply disappointing.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Enterprise Northern Ireland and note the outstanding work of our local enterprise agencies, which go above and beyond, often in challenging financial circumstances, for our entrepreneurs and businesses.”
“I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party group on micro and small business, but I feel that I must highlight an issue that should concern every Member, regardless of party or constituency.”
“The infrastructure in Larne West is shambolic and fails residents and commuters daily. Minister, you will be aware of an ombudsman's investigation of the missing link road at Ballyloran that reported last February on the back of my office having brought the matter to it.”
“The Bill sends an important message that demonstrates confidence in the governance arrangements that are already in place and in the boards and management teams that have successfully led the organisations for many years.”
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“He said that the British Government would look ridiculous and set the economy back a generation if our world-leading creative sectors went belly-up for the sake of a few billion. I know that we are talking about billions here and billions there, but, given the gravity of the scheme and the fact that the British Government are spending money at a rate not seen since wartime efforts, for the sake of a few more billion, it would be almost ridiculous if we did not support those. The protection of key skills should be a strategic priority and will be the building block of getting the economy back up and running post COVID. It is integral that that scheme is there to support those who are unable to get back. Those key skills need to keep existing.”
“We know that businesses want flexibility,and those of us who speak to them want to know if they can get people back into work for a period of time or part-time or that, if they get people back and things get difficult again, they will be able to slot back in. That is integral as well. <BR /> <BR />Hopefully, we can all send a joint and strong message to the Chancellor and to Boris Johnson. He is getting that from all sides and his own Back-Benchers. Over the weekend, Julian Knight, the Conservative chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee said that there was growing momentum for that from all industries, especially those that simply cannot get back or seek to exist under social distancing.”
“I believe that, by withdrawing the furlough scheme prematurely, he risks building a bridge that does not reach the other side. It is integral that he finishes the job. Even to next June, the spend — potentially £10 billion — would be significantly less than what has been spent so far. The cost of not doing it could be even more. The impact on our economy — in Northern Ireland, potentially, upwards of 100,000 jobs could be lost and maybe upwards of 1 million across the UK — would be disastrous. We have heard today that Germany, Belgium, Australia, France and significant other countries have already pledged to extend their schemes, albeit in different guises. That would, probably, be what is integral.”
“Some businesses are returning — we know that — and many who have been furloughed are starting to drift back to work, and that is also vital for the economy, especially, as Mr Middleton said, in getting people back into our town centres and city centres. Getting people back into workplaces safely is so vital for the local economy. Other sectors cannot get back. We have mentioned today the wet pubs, the creative industry, the events sector and so many others who, through no fault of their own, are either banned from reopening or simply cannot. It is essential that a scheme continues to be present to give them the support that they need. <BR /> <BR />Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, said that the furlough scheme, when he launched it back in March, would be a bridge through the pandemic.”
“It has been essential to prop up the economy thus far, which makes it so frustrating that the Chancellor plans to end it in October, long before people who are affected by the pandemic are able to get back to work effectively.”
“There is no doubting the unprecedented nature of that, with 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month being paid to employees. It was something more akin to what we would see from a social democratic Scandinavian country than to what we would be used to from a Conservative Government. It has also been an undoubted success. It has kept unemployment down to a very low level. It has directly protected 9·5 million jobs across the UK and up to 300,000 here and been a lifeline to employees who, otherwise, would not have had an income and would be continuing to worry about their future. It has not been cheap — upwards of £40 billion, which, as the Member for South Belfast said, will have to be paid back — and that amount of government intervention continues to grow by the day, especially with the other schemes.”
“I think it would be so much more important had we been discussing that as well. It is critical that we all agree that the Executive find the money to support businesses here but also are directed to create schemes whereby that money can be spent effectively and efficiently, especially to help those who have missed out to date. <BR /> <BR />The introduction of the coronavirus furlough scheme by the Chancellor was big and bold and was a huge move at the time.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, it is good to see you back in the Chair and also my party colleague — sorry, that was presumptuous — my colleague from East Antrim Mr Dixon. It is good to see him back. This is the first time that we have both sat in this Chamber since I was elected, so it is good to see you back, Stewart. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I support the motion and the amendment, although I would probably have liked the motion to go further. As has been discussed today, we recognise the importance of the job retention scheme, but it is only one pillar of several that are integral to supporting our local economy. We talked about the grant assistance and an economic recovery strategy, as well as schemes that have not, to date, helped those who have been excluded from support measures.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. While I acknowledge, as I am sure you do, the intervention from the British Government and how important it is that they play that role in continuing this furlough scheme and supporting workers, do you agree with me that it is essential that the Executive in this place does so much more to support businesses that have already missed out? We know that £56 million was returned from grant funding that has not been reallocated, and that there are thousands of businesses in Northern Ireland that still have not been able to avail themselves of any support. Do you think that it is important that, as part of that joint strategy, we play our role, via the Executive, to support our local businesses?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I am conscious that a debate is ongoing in the House but my question was submitted prior to the motion being put on the Order Paper. In recent years, it seems that there has been a never-ending series of reviews and consultations on sentencing tariffs, particularly for crimes including murder. Five years ago, a former MLA asked a former Justice Minister about the issue of lenient sentences that were handed down in the case of the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll but nothing seems to have changed in that five years. Is it the position of the Executive that sentencing tariff guidelines for the murder or attempted murder of public servants, including police officers, need to be toughened up and brought in line with the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland?”
“That does not give us an opportunity to consult fully. Consultation could be done this year, with legislation enacted next year.”
“Neither of those can be done in a silo mentality in one Department in our Executive or without a link to local government, numerous NGOs, our businesses and every level of society. That sort of work will require a full, in-depth, up-to-date public consultation, which could be carried out now, ahead of getting this work done, and a climate change Act implemented in 2021 to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland and to preserve our green and pleasant land for many years to come. <BR /> <BR />The time has come to act. As I said, the amendment is not intended in any way, shape or form to take away from the intent of the motion. I agree with many Members' comments. We are all on the same page about identifying the importance of the issue. However, the introduction of an Act within three months, as the Minister said, is far too obtuse.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am not saying, Mr Deputy Speaker, that legislation is the panacea to all problems. There is undoubtedly an awful lot of virtue signalling on the issue. The impression, sadly, for too long has been given that Northern Ireland does not take the issue seriously, which is unfortunate, to say the least. <BR /> <BR />In my maiden speech two or three months ago, I said that what we can do here can be summed up in two words: mitigation and adaptation. We need to mitigate and address the causes of climate change, and adapt, making the necessary changes to reduce and negate the effects of climate change, such as protecting our sea walls and improving our coastal communities against the vulnerable impacts of climate change.”
“As the party's spokesperson on climate change, I support Northern Ireland-specific legislation in the form of an all-encompassing climate change Act on Northern Ireland targets and emissions, on the need for an independent environmental protection agency, and the inclusion of our party commitment to see and deliver zero net carbon by 2035. <BR /> <BR />As a result of the previous Stormont Executive, we are the only Administration in the UK and Ireland not to produce its own laws to cut carbon and to improve and protect our environment. As a result of the hiatus of three years of absolutely nothing here, we are even further down the line. I find it somewhat ironic that some people bang a drum about the emergency when we could have been dealing with the issue in 2017, 2018 and 2019.”
“Regardless of legislation in London or Brussels, we need to act. We have the opportunity to bring about real change in transforming our economy and our environment to help to mitigate many of the worst aspects of increasing greenhouse gas emissions and make a valid contribution to dealing with climate change.”
“Record-breaking temperatures across the globe, including 38°C in Siberia this year, with high temperatures and drought affecting food production, have impacts everywhere. Northern Ireland is not exempt. We have seen rising emissions here and poorer air quality, with higher pollution levels in Belfast than in other cities around the UK. Thankfully, those levels have gone down with the reduction in traffic during the COVID-19 lockdown. It would, however, be worrying to see them go back up again. We also have the impact of coastal erosion and rising tides here. Northern Ireland will be affected by climate change. <BR /> <BR />Equally, changes that will be brought about by Brexit mean that Northern Ireland will also be in a unique situation when it comes to the repatriation of EU powers on climate change and the environment.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Yes, I do have a time frame in mind. Given the conditions that we are in — in the middle the biggest health crisis that we have ever seen — and that the Executive have a lot of work going on, a consultation could be launched right now to be finished by the end of the year, and a climate change Act enacted in 2021 to celebrate and mark the centenary of Northern Ireland and acknowledge the work that we need to do to cherish and promote our green and pleasant land. Therefore, yes, while I do support that, I do not think that an arbitrary figure of three months, which has been plucked from the air, is one that should, in any way, be binding at this stage. <BR /> <BR />Climate change is a global crisis.”
“I am happy to if I will get an extra minute.”
“Many of those who argue most adamantly that it needs to be done quickly seem to forget the fact that they prevented the House from sitting for three years, during which time the emergency has moved on.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make a winding-up speech on the amendment. I want to say at the outset that I certainly acknowledge the spirit and intent of the motion. Our amendment was not designed to impede its intentions in any way but rather to inform what would, ultimately, form the climate change Act, which we, as a party, support. <BR /> <BR />Having watched the Committee, I believe that there was no real insight or justification for what seems like an arbitrary figure of three months. It is a figure that was plucked from the air. Equally, it could be asked, then, why it was not three weeks. I do not see where that figure has come from.”
“It is never going to be perfect, but some of the most vulnerable were also being missed.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your response. I congratulate you on your new position. I wish you well and I wish a speedy recovery to former Minister Hargey. <BR /> <BR />I know that the food hampers and packages have been discussed already. We all take our hats off to that scheme to help those most in need. <BR /> <BR />One of the success stories and positive aspects to come out of the whole COVID crisis has been the community across the country uniting to help the most vulnerable. It has been amazing to see big groups coming together. We talked about a post-COVID debrief. If we have to roll out such a scheme again, can we look at the quality of some of the food that is being put out, because, in the hamper scheme that we were running locally, we were seeing some out-of-date bread and damaged goods?”
“I agree entirely with the Member for East Londonderry on the issue of an education process for young people to try to encourage them to think more green through recycling and protecting our environment. <BR /> <BR />I agree entirely with the Minister; I loathe, as I am sure all Members do, dumping. That is a growing issue in my constituency of East Antrim, as is protecting our waterways, which you also refer to in your statement. Do you support further sanctions and regulations to try to tackle that because it is starting to happen on an industrial scale, and I want to see more done to protect our countryside?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The Minister will be aware that, in making the decision on the marine licence, there will be considerable public safety and environmental impact concerns about the proposal in the local area, particularly in Islandmagee and across east Antrim. Has additional environmental information been requested from the developer, InfraStrata, and will it be subject to further public consultation?”
“We should do absolutely everything we can. <BR /> <BR />There is so much to say about this but, ultimately, I would like to see a Northern Ireland-first approach to public-sector procurement, channelling as much money as possible from our public-sector procurement scheme into giving a lifeline to companies that are here now.”
“Without taxation, a buoyant stable economy and creating the money to pump into our vital NHS and other public services, we have absolutely nothing. Governments do not create jobs, businesses do. We might create the conditions whereby these companies can create the jobs but, ultimately, it is down to businesses to create these jobs and further them. Workers want better wages and conditions, but Northern Ireland companies, en masse, look after their employees and workers a lot better than I see in other countries. We should be proud of the companies that we have here.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. I absolutely agree. We all spoke in the Chamber — it feels like months ago now — when we discussed the climate emergency and the need to reprioritise our economy. Northern Ireland can lead the way in the drive towards zero emissions, without a doubt. That has to inform any part of our medium- to long-term economic strategy. However, it goes back to my original point: families and companies are about to go under. While, yes, that should be taken into consideration, those companies and families need impetus and support now. It is a combination of short-term interventions and looking at a medium- to long-term strategy. <BR /> <BR />While this is a health crisis, the economy is everything.”
“That means a complete reprioritisation about what we do and the money we spend, funnelling that money into companies, giving them the opportunity to expand, grow and create the jobs that we need to make our economy grow.”
“To a single business owner, £10,000 can be quite a lot but, if you are employing 15 staff, it is a week's wages. There are things that we could do in the here and now. <BR /> <BR />The Member is right — he has left now — to ask how we pay for this. That is so important. We need a complete reprioritisation of our Budget and what we spend. That will require difficult decisions from Ministers and Departments to end pet projects and schemes that were desirable three months ago. They are no longer desirable — yes, they are — but they are not essential. Business survival is essential. Families having jobs, putting bread on the table: these are essential.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I agree absolutely. Those who have heard me speak before on this know that I have highlighted that from the start. Back at the end of March, the Welsh Government intervened with over £100 million, to give support to businesses that, perhaps, were not reached by the support that we have given. <BR /> <BR />I accept the point Mr Middleton made about the interventions that have been made already by the Executive, but out of 100,000-plus businesses in Northern Ireland, the overwhelming majority have still received very little support, aside from the furloughing scheme, which has been hugely beneficial. There are grants in there of up to £100,000, which would be massive for some of our companies.”
“Those on the Economy Committee know that I have spoken at length, both there and in the Ad Hoc Committee, to say that the economic recovery plan should have begun immediately. While it was a health crisis, it was quickly becoming the biggest economic crisis that we have ever faced. It is disappointing that we are now nine or 10 weeks on, and we are still, just about, bringing this to the Chamber. We are only looking into the medium and long term. It would have been much better to have been discussing it from the beginning. However, we are where we are. Whatever strategy the Executive bring forward, it needs to be radically redrawn from where it was.”
“There is little doubt that despite the unprecedented interventions by the British Government since March, in particular the Chancellor of the Exchequer's job intervention scheme and the self-employment scheme, there have been widespread redundancies. The big Government interventions and mechanisms such as the furlough scheme will end later in the summer.”
“Sadly, while it is desirable, I do not see it as essential, but we can get to that. <BR /> <BR />On the motion, I want to place on record the Ulster Unionist Party's heartfelt thanks to the front-line workers who have continued to keep our health service going and functioning over the last two and a half fairly horrendous months. Also, I thank the farmers, hauliers, food retailers, care workers, council employees and the many other service providers who have not stopped for a single minute throughout the pandemic. <BR /> <BR />It is, as has often been said, the biggest health crisis of our lives and, certainly, it is for the NHS. It is the biggest worldwide pandemic since the Spanish flu of 1918. Much of the global economy has been put into cold storage and is waiting to come back out of that.”
“I thank the Chair of the Committee for the Economy for tabling the motion. Naturally, all of us will agree with its sentiments. It is the socio-economic equivalent of the moon on a stick, which is perfection for everyone — our workers, families and businesses — with everyone getting what they want. Sadly, sometimes, that is not always possible. However, it is what we should always desire to achieve. <BR /> <BR />For many of the businesses listening to the debate, if they are listening, they will hear that much of it is in the medium to long term and is about aspirations on how we change things and how things will look in the future. If I am the owner of a small business and I cannot afford to feed my family or pay my staff, I am worried about yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
“However, having contacted a number of those departments this week on the back of that advice, many of them were not aware of that or of the guidance, and probably do not have the people power in place to enforce it. That is concerning. Is there anything that the First Minister and deputy First Minister can do to ensure that the capability is there whenever workplaces go back?”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. The document states that, under the current position, enhanced messaging around what work is permissible will come out. I look forward to that because clarity is key, especially for businesses. They do not want to break the rules; they want to know what they have to do in order to keep their employees safe. I raised that issue when I spoke to the Health and Safety Executive last week at the Economy Committee. The HSE said — as you have — that their remit extends only to manufacturing industry and construction and that the rest is for local government and their environmental health departments.”
“I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their statement. I also echo your words about nurses, especially on International Nurses' Day. Not all superheroes wear capes is a saying that could not be any more applicable than to our nurses. Their selfless commitment is amazing, and I take my hat off to every one of them. <BR /> <BR />Given what you have said today about workplaces and the detail around that, when can we expect more guidance for employees and employers? Who is responsible for ensuring and enforcing workplace safety?”
“Secondly, if a company has three or four premises and ultimately ends up in the higher NAV bracket, having paid four sets of rates to local government, will it qualify for the higher grant?”
“I spoke to one company in my constituency, yesterday, that had spoken to three accountants and had got three different takes on how that will affect their business. They are coming to MLAs and councillors en masse, maybe having never done so before. They need the information from you. They look to you, Minister, and your Department for guidance. I know that it is a fluid situation, but they want somewhere to go. <BR /> <BR />On the rates scheme — I know that the Chair of the Economy Committee touched on this — if a business pays its rates directly to a landlord but is one of the qualifying companies, be it in retail or hospitality, and if the landlord qualifies for small business rate relief, will the business get that, or will the landlord get it?”
“I thank the Minister for her remarks. I welcome much of the support that is in there, a lot of which has come from Westminster. You say that you will be there when the recovery begins: the recovery begins now. We are, potentially, looking down the barrel of the worst economic crisis in the history of capitalism. Think back to 2008: there was never the closure of pubs, restaurants and bars and the grounding of flights. This will affect everyone in a massive way. The recovery begins now, because the businesses need support to go into hibernation, if needs be, keep money coming in and keep people on the books. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on the Member for South Belfast's point: information on this is key. I welcome the steps in the employment protection programme that Westminster has introduced.”
“However, it is my fear that the most profitable routes will be snapped up and those that provide essential and additional connectivity will be lost. <BR /> <BR />It is incumbent on all of us to support the Flybe staff and try to give as much opportunity to new airlines to come in.”
“They went to places that were not always profitable but provided key links for tourism, students and business in parts of the UK and Europe that maybe were not normally appealing. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased to hear from the Chairperson of the Economy Committee that the Finance Minister is working on the call for APD to be abolished. We also need to look at an air route development fund in order to try to incentivise some of the less profitable routes and try to keep that connectivity. I know that Reg Empey raised that with the Minister for Transport at Westminster last week. <BR /> <BR />Like Robin Newton, I commend Brian Ambrose, who has done a fantastic job in the past few days trying to replace some of the routes.”
“As an Assembly working with local government through the Executive, we need to do all that we can to support the staff in seeking retraining and job opportunities, especially as so many of them came from Thomas Cook and had already been through the process. That is very concerning. <BR /> <BR />Members touched on air passenger duty. I echo what has been said. The Conservative Party manifesto pledged to put UK connectivity at its centre. As we are an integral part of the UK, it flies in the face of that pledge to see APD in place. It needs to be abolished. We need to incentivise people to be able to fly freely throughout the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />Some 80% of the flights that went out of Belfast City Airport were provided by Flybe.”
“I thank the Member for North Down for bringing this forward and you, Mr Speaker, for accepting it. This is a body blow to the economy of Northern Ireland. My thoughts, as are those of so many who have spoken, are with the staff affected directly and indirectly by this. My sister was cabin crew for seven years. She found out, at half past midnight on the night that the company went bust that she had lost her job, along with 3,000 others. It came as a body blow to them all. They were being called into work that week and that day not knowing that anything was wrong. They had been going above and beyond the call of duty in recent years, knowing that there were financial difficulties; in fact, staff were being brought on to the company as recently as last week, so it came as a real shock.”
“I thank the Minister for the update and the commitment to bring forward licensing legislation. It is long overdue. One area in the licensing laws that needs to be changed is support for our microbrewers and microdistillers. The Minister will know that, as part of the consultation, there was a mass response from that industry. They are the innovators and entrepreneurs of Northern Ireland. There is a significant opportunity to drive the economy forward. Can you, Minister, give a commitment that their concerns and the limitations that that industry faces will be heeded and reflected in the new legislation? Will you also commit to meet the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and other brewers when I bring them here in two weeks' time to air their ongoing concerns?”
“It is essential that farmers have the flexibility to spread slurry at times that are suitable. We have many small farms and, subsequently, many fields with plenty of hedges and open drains. Are the new measures, such as increasing buffer zones from 15 to 30 metres, making things slightly more unworkable?”
“Does the Minister concede that any investigation body investigating the past, such as the HIU, cannot be both investigator and adjudicator?”
“I welcome the Minister to her position and wish her the best of luck in the years ahead. I appreciate that she is only one month into post, but she will know that both her predecessors announced reviews of sentencing tariffs for murders. Does she agree that it is an absolute disgrace that, in 2017, the average sentence for a murder in Northern Ireland was 11 years and 4 months, some 10 years less than the equivalent in England and Wales? When is Northern Ireland going to lose its reputation for being soft on murderers?”
“Given that the deputy First Minister has had three years to think about this, what are the top three strategic issues that she would like the panel to consider?”
“When the panel was announced in December 2016, the Executive Office stated:”