Colm Gildernew
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I have been working with Dungannon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will welcome this work, particularly in light of its concerns about vacancy and protecting the retail heart of towns such as Dungannon.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?”
“However, the Committee will want to examine carefully how any new or amended powers would operate in practice. Powers relating to information sharing, official warnings, directions, removal from office and disqualification can have significant, long-standing consequences for charities, trustees, staff, volunteers and, indeed, public confi…”
“<BR /> <BR />The regulations are consequential to the uprating order and provide the supporting technical changes needed to ensure that the revised benefit rates operate correctly. The regulations increase the earning limit for carer's allowance from £196 a week to £204 a week.”
“In response to those findings, Minister Hargey introduced the Charities Bill, which was enacted in 2022. The legislation put in place many of the review's priority recommendations in the limited time remaining in that mandate. The Charities (Amendment) Bill represents the next stage of that reform programme.”
“The Committee will wish to explore the implications of those changes, including for organisations operating across jurisdictions or delivering charitable activity in or from the North. Our charity sector includes a diverse range of bodies.”
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“<BR /> <BR />I urge the Communities Minister to continue to raise with the Department for Work and Pensions the proposed cuts to disability benefits, which will cause untold harm to some of the most vulnerable in our society. What those cuts will mean for people here remains unclear. It is vital that we continue to be able to protect people. The austerity agenda of the Labour Government has been roundly rejected. They should abandon those cruel cuts immediately. <BR /> <BR />While I acknowledge the reports of the anti-poverty strategy being brought to the Executive last week, I urge the Minister for Communities to engage meaningfully with the sector to address its concerns, including the absence of any ring-fenced budget to support its implementation.”
“We will continue to engage constructively with the Department as it navigates those financial challenges and works to deliver for all our communities. <BR /> <BR />I will now make a few brief remarks as Sinn Féin spokesperson for communities and housing. As I have outlined, the budget position for 2025-26 is a challenging one from a Communities perspective. It is fair to describe it as a standstill budget, as it largely reflects the budget position from last year and does not provide much room for new spending. A key concern at this stage is about the shortfall in funding for social housing. Only £63 million was allocated to that, which, as I have said, will allow for only half of the 2,000 target for new social homes to be built.”
“We understand that work is ongoing, but the Committee will seek assurances about how statutory obligations to tackle poverty will be resourced and delivered effectively by the Department and in conjunction with stakeholders, such as councils. Furthermore, the Committee will closely monitor the implications of welfare changes emanating from Westminster, particularly those outlined in the recent Green Paper, and will seek clarity on the adequacy of consultation around those changes and of funding for employment support programmes and the status of Barnett consequentials in that critical area. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Communities is committed to its role in scrutinising the Department's expenditure and the delivery of its extensive range of services and supports.”
“We have all been proud recently of many of the achievements. The Committee will continue to monitor the health of the sector closely. <BR /> <BR />The voluntary and community sector has also featured prominently in our discussions. An additional £2·8 million to help to address pressures, such as the real living wage and employers' National Insurance contributions, is a positive step. However, the Committee remains attentive to whether that meets the full scale of need and will continue to explore how a coherent and supportive approach can be promoted for all third-sector organisations. <BR /> <BR />A significant concern for the Committee is the continued absence of a dedicated, ring-fenced budget line for the anti-poverty strategy.”
“Although some additional support for National Museums and Libraries has been indicated, the Department's briefing confirmed unmet bids for further investment across those areas. The Committee has been awaiting a detailed departmental briefing on that pressing issue. Regrettably, it has now been postponed on two separate occasions. We also await briefings on the anti-poverty strategy and languages strategy. <BR /> <BR />As Chair of the Committee, I recently had the privilege of attending the Equity trade union conference in Derry, at which, for all the recent successes that we have had, the funding threat to our burgeoning film and TV sector was made clear, echoing our feedback from stakeholders that was gathered earlier this year. Culture and the arts have been a significant contributor to so much of what we do.”
“However, we also note the Department's advice that that funding is not yet recurrent and that recruiting to those posts will be challenging. The Committee will maintain a keen interest in the recurrent nature of that essential funding and in the high levels of agency staff usage. <BR /> <BR />During its recent session with officials, the Committee explored several areas of specific impact and concern arising from the budget settlement. The allocation, for instance, of £63 million for new social housing starts will support approximately 1,000 new homes. That is welcome, but it falls significantly short of the 2,000-home target. The Committee supports the Department's intention to bid for further in-year funding. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to the arts, culture and heritage sectors.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Department for Communities has been allocated a total of £938·1 million in resource DEL, £270 million in capital DEL and £48·1 million in financial transactions capital. The Committee notes that those allocations are set against a backdrop of significant and rising pressures. Crucially, the Department faces a non-ring-fenced resource DEL shortfall of £98·6 million or 12% against its stated requirements. We also note that, while additional funding for Civil Service pay awards and National Insurance contributions is included, that does not fully cover the pressures faced by the Department and its arm's-length bodies (ALBs). <BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes the earmarked resource funding, which met departmental requirements in full, including £16·9 million for up to 400 additional benefit delivery staff.”
“On behalf of the Committee, I confirm our support for the motion to approve the programme of expenditure proposals for 2025-26. The Committee has engaged with officials from the Department on its budgetary allocation for this financial year, most recently at our meeting on Thursday 8 May. Consequently, members have been provided with a picture of the financial landscape for a Department with a remit that touches the lives of so many citizens across the North and employs over 11,500 people — over one third of the NICS headcount. Members remain particularly concerned about the potential impacts on housing, social security, employment support, local government and community development.”
“Furthermore, on the Monaghan Road, there are serious problems, as schoolchildren have to cross the main A5, where there is no crossing, to get to the football field or the homes there. Minister, I invite you to Aughnacloy to have a look at the real impact that the lack of a bypass as part of the A5 project is having there. <BR /> <BR />I sincerely thank the Enough is Enough campaign, which is spearheaded by the GAA, for its tireless and effective campaigning over the past number of years. I encourage everyone to work together to get the road built and save lives.”
“The width of Aughnacloy's main street means that some of the drivers behind, who have not seen the pedestrian, do not realise what is happening and, in frustration, go to overtake or come up the inside to get past. I have raised it on numerous occasions that I am really afraid that we will see a child, an older person or someone else being badly hurt or killed in Aughnacloy village as a result of the strategic traffic that goes through the town. <BR /> <BR />At the top end of Moore Street — up near the chapel — residents have to either stop the traffic on the A5 road in order to reverse into their parking space or drive in when they get an opportunity and then reverse out when they leave their home. It is having a massive impact on the village.”
“I would like to flag up something that is not often mentioned: the impact that the current situation has on the residents of Aughnacloy. The main road from Dublin to Derry and on to Donegal — one of the main roads in this country — runs right through the middle of Aughnacloy village. That means that children, old people or residents who are accessing the shop, the community centre, the pharmacy or the many other services on the main street in Aughnacloy — Moore Street — have to literally stand at the side of the road until such times as two vehicles, coming from either direction, stop to create a crossing. There is one crossing away up near the Monaghan Road, but it is too far away from those shops. Essentially, people rely on the goodwill of two drivers to coordinate and stop.”
“<BR /> <BR />On the debate's framing of the impact, a chairde,”
“It will improve connectivity to the region; boost economic growth and business development in the area; and mean that local people have better access to opportunities in education, training and employment. It is unfortunate that legal challenges brought by a small minority have significantly delayed the project. I urge those objectors to cease their continuing legal challenges. I appreciate the frustrations of some of the people who will be directly impacted by the project. It is undeniable that there will be an impact on farmers and people who live along the route, and, in that sense, I thank Tom Buchanan for securing the debate. I urge the Minister and, indeed, all in government to do all that they can to mitigate the impact on those people. However, there must be no further delay in moving to the construction phase.”
“it is no wonder that the A5 road has been described as "the most dangerous road in Ireland", because that is apt. Let me be absolutely clear: if the upgrade of the A5 does not go ahead, more lives will be lost. The Executive have committed to delivering this flagship project, and we must now see it delivered without further undue delay. I very much welcome the decision by the former Minister, John O'Dowd, to proceed with the project and the current Minister's ongoing attention to the important issue and her attendance today. <BR /> <BR />As my colleagues have pointed out, the upgrade of the A5 will create a key strategic transport route that will open up many opportunities for the entire north-west of Ireland.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis mo ghuth a chur leis an rún an-tábhachtach seo. I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh leis na daoine ar maraíodh cairde gaoil dá gcuid ar bhóthar A5. Is tragóid uafásach é nuair a mharaítear duine ar bhóthar A5. Moladh bóthar A5 a uasghrádú den chéad uair tá beagnach fiche bliain ó shin. Ón uair sin i leith cailleadh seacht nduine is caoga ar an bhóthar chéanna.”
“Minister, can you give an update on progress on the issue in Killeeshil from the former Northway site, now known as Sawgrass Substrates?”
“<BR /> <BR />Briefly, as Sinn Féin spokesperson, I also welcome the increased availability and, indeed, visibility of the products. It is about inclusion and dignity, and it is welcome to see more and more of our public spaces providing free period products.”
“I rise as Chairperson of the Committee to support the motion. The Period Products (Free Provision) Act, passed by the Assembly in March 2022, marked an important step in addressing period poverty and was rightly warmly welcomed. At its meeting on 30 January this year, the Committee considered the 11 public service bodies that the Department had listed as subject to the duty to ensure that period products are obtainable free of charge by persons from bodies across our cultural and sporting landscape as well as, for example, the Library Authority and the Housing Executive, as set out by the Minister. Having sought and received some additional details from the Department, the Committee agreed on 27 March to recommend that the Assembly affirm the statutory rule.”
“Caithfear Rialtas Iosrael a thabhairt chun cuntais; tá sé dochosanta scaoileadh leo sin a shábhálann beatha daoine. <BR /> <BR />Agus Lá Domhanda na Croise Deirge agus an Chorráin Dheirg á cheiliúradh againn, ba mhaith liom obair na heagraíochta sin a mholadh. Bheir siad dóchas agus coimirce do dhaoine atá faoi léan is faoi thubaiste. Ní mór dúinn aitheantas a thabhairt dá gcuid oibre, ní mór dúinn an ceart a sheasamh dóibh, agus ní mór dúinn cur ina gcoinne siúd a dhéanas iad a ionsaí.”
“In áit a bheith ag rith ón bhearna bhaoil, is é rud a ritheann siad isteach inti le beatha daoine a shábháil. Ón chrith talún go dtí an fód cogaidh, ní theipeann ar a dtiomantas. <BR /> <BR />Le bliain anuas, tá beagnach 1,600 ball foirne agus oibrí deonach ó Chumann Idirnáisiúnta Chorrán Dearg na Palaistíne (CICD) ag obair gan sos gan scíth le tarrtháil agus tacaíocht a chur ar fáil in Gaza. Dháil CICD 1.6 milliún de earraí fóirithinte éigeandála, agus chuir siad leigheas éigeandála ar fáil do níos mó ná 100,000 duine. <BR /> <BR />Maraíodh cúig dhuine dhéag nuair a bualadh cúig otharcharr agus inneall dóiteáin, mar aon le feithicil de chuid na Náisiún Aontaithe, "ceann ar cheann" an 23 Márta in al-Hashashin. Chuir CICD i leith Iosrael gur d’aon turas a dhírigh siad ar a bhfoireann. Tá sin ag sárú an dlí idirnáisiúnta.”
“First, I also acknowledge Dungannon Swifts, congratulate them on their fantastic victory at the weekend and welcome the great lift that it has given the whole town. As I said last week, it is part of a remarkable treble of cup final appearances by three Dungannon clubs that are right beside each other. Unfortunately, the rugby club did not get over the bar at the weekend, but it was heartening to see its members welcoming home their colleagues in the soccer club. I also wish our ladies' hockey club all the very best in its final, which takes place next weekend. <BR /> <BR />Déanfaimid Lá Domhanda na Croise Deirge agus an Chorráin Dheirg a cheiliúradh ar an tseachtain seo chugainn, agus tá sé tábhachtach aird a tharraingt ar obair na n-oibrithe leighis sin.”
“I acknowledge the work, practice and commitment that it takes for those clubs to reach such a level in their sport. I wish the three managers, Rodney McAree from the Swifts, Jonny Gillespie from the rugby club and Norman Purdy, all the very best in those games, and I wish all the teams, their families, their supporters and the entire community well for travelling to and enjoying the games. I look forward to the games and to as many of those trophies as possible coming up the road.”
“I flag up and acknowledge the remarkable achievements of three sports clubs in Dungannon, which will, over the next two weekends, see our soccer, rugby and hockey clubs compete in major finals. <BR /> <BR />On Saturday, Dungannon Swifts FC will take on Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final at Windsor Park. On the same day and at the same time, Dungannon Rugby Football Club will take on Ballynahinch in the Ulster Senior Cup final at Kingspan Stadium. In the following week, on 10 May, Dungannon Ladies' Hockey Club will seek to retain the Ulster Senior Cup against Randalstown at Stormont. <BR /> <BR />The achievement is all the more remarkable because the three clubs sit side by side on the Circular Road as you go into Dungannon, which many Members will be familiar with from coming off the M1.”
“A recent report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) provides further evidence that, compared with the North, the Southern part of our island has higher wages, stronger economic growth and better living standards. Does the First Minister agree that that shows that partition has failed and that it is negatively impacting on our quality of life, trade, economic productivity and growth?”
“<BR /> <BR />Last October, Sinn Féin successfully had a motion passed that called on the Health Minister to urgently bring forward a plan to improve respite services across the North. I look forward to hearing an update on those plans and how they will target support for carers. We need assurances that the respite services that were previously closed have reopened and will not be repurposed for residential care, which, itself, is a very valuable and much-needed service. We need clear planning mechanisms to ensure that local healthcare trusts can develop and implement the services that are necessary to significantly increase respite provision in order to provide support for families and carers.”
“Families are all too familiar, unfortunately, with receiving a last-minute notice that their respite has been cancelled. Minister, that situation arose once again with Woodlawn House in Dungannon in the past week. Families, some members of whom are in their eighties, who look after loved ones with very complex cases had, with only a week's notice, the respite that they were so badly looking forward to taken away. As someone tweeted, if any of us were told that the leave that we were looking forward to had been scrapped, we would be devastated. Carers are doing their utmost, but late cancellation, in particular, and the lack of regular and sufficient respite leave them feeling hopeless and abandoned at times.”
“Many facilities cannot cope with the increasing demand of planned respite and the pressing demand of unplanned and emergency respite that can arise. Sinn Féin believes that ongoing co-production with families, carers and front-line staff is essential to ensure that funding is targeted effectively and delivers meaningful improvements in respite care where it is most urgently needed. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the Department of Health's allocation of up to £2 million for the remainder of the financial year and an additional £13 million annually that is aimed at expanding and improving respite care services. However, families affected by the crisis have reported that there is little evidence of tangible improvement on the ground as a result of that funding.”
“It offers a break from the relentless 24/7 care that they provide to loved ones, ensuring that those loved ones receive the highest level of care. Respite often supports carers so that they can manage some of the day-to-day activities that are taken for granted by those of us who do not have to provide care. It also provides a safety net for carers if they fall ill or are hospitalised or if either the carer or their family member needs a break. <BR /> <BR />Those who work in respite services absolutely deserve our respect and praise for their work in very challenging circumstances. Respite facilities face issues with staff retention, due to the mounting pressure on those who provide respite care. That is not their fault; it is a reality of the situation in which they are working.”
“I assure Members that I have not moved to the South Eastern Trust area, but I retain my interest in carers and respite. In fact, I raised the issue this morning in Members' statements. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate today. The lack of adequate respite services in the South Eastern Trust and, indeed, across the North deeply impacts on countless families in my constituency as well as those in the South Eastern Trust area. Respite care services provide essential relief for adults and children with learning difficulties, complex needs, physical disabilities or other needs and are a key support for their carers. Respite care is not a luxury; it is very much a lifeline for carers. It is essential for their physical and mental well-being and for the continued care of those whom they look after.”
“The Committee for Communities will continue —.”
“On sustainable welfare funding, the Department should prioritise securing long-term legislative backing for existing welfare mitigation schemes. In relation to the housing investment strategy, the Department should develop a long-term financial plan for housing and regeneration, including exploring alternative funding models. To improve transparency in budget reporting, the Department should enhance financial transparency by publishing detailed expenditure tracking reports. To support the Civil Service's financial stability, the Executive should ensure that reductions in funding do not disrupt critical services, particularly those affecting housing, welfare and employment support.”
“Community and voluntary organisations that rely on NICS-led funding schemes may experience delays in grant approvals and financial processing, further affecting service delivery. We are acutely aware of the impact on the arts sector, with groups still awaiting letters of offer and staff being put on protective notice. <BR /> <BR />The Committee acknowledges that the 2025-26 Budget is set against a backdrop of severe financial constraints requiring difficult trade-offs between competing priorities. While the Executive have sought to stabilise finances, many critical funding gaps remain unaddressed. The Committee therefore wishes to make the following recommendations. <BR /> <BR />To create stronger Programme for Government linkages, future Budgets must clearly align with Programme for Government priorities to enable better accountability.”
“The Housing Executive requires substantial additional investment to address backlogs in maintenance and repairs. It is good to see that JobStart 50+ has received an additional £1·9 million, reflecting the importance of employment support for older workers, although broader skills and training programmes remain, particularly for younger people, underfunded. It is worrying to note the impact of Civil Service budget changes: a reduction in the budget for shared services, finance, procurement and digital transformation could slow administrative processes. As well as that, 1,300 vacant NICS posts remain unfilled. Ongoing recruitment issues could impact on the delivery of welfare, housing grants and employment support services.”
“<BR /> <BR />The 2025-26 Budget has been developed in the context of extreme fiscal constraint and a significant reduction in Barnett consequentials compared with 2024-45. That has left Departments with little flexibility to manage emerging financial pressures, particularly those relating to pay awards, inflation and public service demands. The Executive have attempted to offset some of those constraints through revenue-raising measures, including planned increases in domestic and non-domestic rates, expected to generate an additional £140 million in 2025-26. However, those measures will not fully address the existing shortfalls. <BR /> <BR />The housing sector remains under significant strain, with a persistent shortage of affordable social housing.”
“The Committee notes that, while the total Budget allocation for DFC appears substantial, increasing demand for public services, inflationary pressures and constraints on discretionary spending mean that the Department faces considerable financial challenges. <BR /> <BR />Although the Committee welcomes initiatives such as multi-year Budgets and routine publication of in-year financial monitoring data for greater transparency, members emphasised that clearer alignment of Budget allocations with PFG objectives is essential for effective scrutiny and accountability. The five-year departmental business plans expected in autumn 2025 may help to address that gap, provided that they integrate financial planning with strategic priorities.”
“In addition, the Committee notes that the changes to the Civil Service budget and workforce could impact on service delivery: for example, in the administration of welfare, housing grants and employment support schemes. While recognising the Executive's efforts to stabilise public finances, the Committee notes that many of the pressures evident in 2024-25 remain unresolved, particularly in relation to housing shortages, welfare mitigation measures and local government funding. <BR /> <BR />The Department for Communities has been allocated funding across various expenditure categories, with notable increases in some areas but significant constraints in others.”
“I support the motion. The Committee for Communities considered the Department for Communities budget allocation for 2025-26 and budget management for 2024-25 in response to the Committee for Finance's round-robin call for views. <BR /> <BR />The Committee acknowledges the challenging fiscal environment in which the Budget has been set, with limited funding available to meet departmental needs. Executive officials have characterised the 2025-26 financial year as one of the most constrained in recent history, with no Department receiving the full amount requested in its bid. That has necessitated difficult prioritisation decisions across all areas of public spending. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is particularly concerned about potential impacts on housing, social security, employment support, local government and community development.”
“However, we are content that, on this occasion, the LCM provides the best mechanism for adopting the changes to ensure that we maintain parity with the other jurisdictions and that workers benefit from greater protections at the earliest possible stage.”
“However, as I outlined in my earlier remarks, the amendment secured by the Minister for the Economy has provided an assurance that any future expansion of the FWA into devolved areas must have the consent of the Minister for the Economy and cannot proceed without that consent. It is important that the Fair Work Agency have local trade union representation on its board as a means of ensuring that workers have a voice in any discussions about the operational remit of the agency. <BR /> <BR />Finally, it is our view that local legislation is generally preferable to legislative consent motions.”
“On that basis, on behalf of the Committee, I support the motion. <BR /> <BR />I would like to make a few remarks as Sinn Féin communities spokesperson. Sinn Féin is broadly content with the reforms set out in the Bill, particularly the changes to statutory sick pay. Once enacted, the Bill will ensure that every worker is able to access statutory sick pay from the first day of illness. I acknowledge that the Department for the Economy is doing some interesting work on a 'good jobs' Bill, and we look forward to seeing more progress on that. <BR /> <BR />Initially, we had concerns about the Fair Work Agency, particularly the provision that allows the Secretary of State to expand the remit of the agency into devolved areas without any local democratic input.”
“We were made aware that the Government amendments were largely on provisions that did not engage the legislative consent mechanism and, therefore, do not come within the scope of the LCM. The Committee welcomes the relevant amendments to the Bill on SSP, the Fair Work Agency and the requirement to obtain the consent of the relevant Department here before any transferred legislation relating to employment rights can be added to the FWA's remit. Whilst the Committee is of the opinion that it prefers to see legislation originate in the Assembly, it accepts that, in this case, it is advantageous that any changes be made across all jurisdictions at the same time to ensure that people here in the North benefit from the changes brought about by the Bill. The Committee is therefore supportive of the draft legislative consent motion.”
“That will then ensure that the Assembly is protected and that no decisions to expand the remit of the FWA can be taken without the consent of Assembly Ministers. The Committee feels that consideration should be given to what local accountability mechanisms could be established to ensure that there is appropriate oversight of the role that the Fair Work Agency is proposed to fulfil. Consideration should also be given to the role that trade union representatives can play as part of that oversight. <BR /> <BR />We were recently informed that the House of Commons Report Stage of the Bill was held on 11 and 12 March and that Government amendments were tabled and are now in the Bill.”
“The Committee is also supportive of the calls by the Equality Commission and the unions to ensure, in the context of addressing the potential for forced labour and the exploitation of migrant workers, that the remit of the FWA in the North covers all sectors of the economy in which migrant labour is prevalent; that operations in the North are sufficiently resourced; and that there is an associated focus on raising awareness of the rights of migrant workers. The Committee is also supportive of the call for union representation on the FWA. We were reassured to hear that the creation of the Fair Work Agency would have no impact on devolved employment law, as members feel that our employment and equality legislation needs to be protected.”
“We also asked the officials whether there would be any impact on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a result of the LCM. We were told that no impact is anticipated and that one of the main reasons why the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority exists is to ensure that labour providers comply with all their statutory obligations, including, importantly, health and safety law. The Committee welcomes that reassurance. <BR /> <BR />In considering the LCM, the Committee decided that it is supportive of the provisions of the Bill that relate to statutory sick pay and believes that they will offer substantial protections to workers. The Committee also welcomes measures in the Bill that remove the eligibility requirement for earnings to be above the lower earnings limit and allow payment from the first day of any period of entitlement.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members also asked about the proposal to abolish the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and whether any assurance could be provided that, as a result of the transition, there would be no weakening or dilution of the protection that the current level of labour market enforcement offers here, particularly in vulnerable sectors. We welcomed the officials' response that some of the benefits that will be brought about will enhance those protection levels and that the only difference that employees, employers and employee providers will notice is that, instead of having to go to multiple places when they need help, there will be a single point of access for help. The Committee also welcomed the guarantee that there will be no dilution of the protection measures that the GLAA offers.”
“<BR /> <BR />By seeking an amendment to the Bill, the Department for the Economy has future-proofed the North's option to become involved with the Fair Work Agency's work should the relevant Minister deem that to be appropriate at the time. It was reassuring to note that the Department for the Economy has been working closely with its colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on an amendment to the Bill that will introduce a consent mechanism to ensure that, if a future Secretary of State wants to increase the Fair Work Agency's remit so that it falls across devolved powers, they must seek the full consent of the relevant Department here and will not be able to proceed without that consent.”
“That can only be a welcome measure at a time when working families are under increasing financial pressure in a cost-of-living crisis. The Committee welcomes the fact that that will prevent inequalities in workers' protections and minimise administrative burdens for employers who operate here and in Britain. The Committee asked officials what safeguards would be in place to ensure that the existing devolved employment laws were not altered without full Executive agreement. We were informed that the creation of the Fair Work Agency would have no immediate impact on devolved employment law. I welcome the comments that the Minister made at the end of his opening remarks on future changes that may be considered.”
“Those are all positive changes, which the Committee welcomes. Members were also informed that there will be an increase in cost for some employers in the North, particularly those who previously made SSP payments from the fourth day of sickness or excluded low-earning employees. Whilst we do not like to see increased costs, we were pleased to hear that they are mitigated to some degree by the broader benefits of supporting employee welfare, particularly for those who are on lower incomes, and reducing workforce disruption caused by sick workers attending work and passing on illness to others and the impact that that has on productivity. <BR /> <BR />The Committee heard that aligning with the Bill through an LCM ensures that employees here will receive the same enhanced SSP entitlements as their counterparts in other jurisdictions.”
“At its meeting on 27 February 2025, the Committee was briefed by officials from the Department for Communities, the Department of Finance, the Department for the Economy and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. The Committee was informed:”
“<BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee for Communities, I am content to recommend that the Assembly agree the Final Stage of the Child Support Enforcement Bill.”