Ciara Ferguson
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />The Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill instructs the commissioner's office to prepare a strategic plan as soon as reasonably practicable after their appointment to review the effectiveness of the Victim Charter and the Witness Charter at least every three years and to provide annual business plans and reports.”
“Sinn Féin very much welcomes the fact that the Bill is the continued evolution of that work to strengthen the rights of victims and witnesses of crime, including the right of complainants to an opportunity to make oral or written representations to the court about any application, to be present at any hearing of the application and to be…”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill will strengthen protections for complainants in serious sexual offence cases in which pretrial applications for a witness summons are made.”
“It is important because being a victim or a witness of crime is often a traumatic experience that requires dedicated support to recover from. It is important because all victims and witnesses of crime should be subject to a fair and supportive legal system that fully engages with them.”
“Victims and witnesses of crime are entitled to be treated fairly, professionally and with respect in all their interactions with the justice system; to be kept regularly updated, including being provided with relevant information in a timely fashion; and to have their needs considered.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at Second Stage of the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill. I will begin by acknowledging the importance of the Bill in placing the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime and that office and its functions on a permanent statutory footing.”
The complete record
Every one of 790 lines we hold for Ciara Ferguson, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 14 of 16.
“They fed in the views and voices of those with lived experience and, throughout the process, emphasised the imperative need for this housing sector to provide the long-awaited reforms required. We all have a collective duty to follow the legislation with the next phase of work and to support people across society not only in finding homes but in keeping those homes. <BR /> <BR />We must continue to work collectively to deliver more housing, tackle poor standards, prioritise homeless prevention and deliver housing as a stand-alone outcome in the Programme for Government. I finish by again welcoming the significant progress that has been made to strengthen protections and safeguard our private renters.”
“I thank the departmental officials for working with Committee members, including me, to ensure that those entitlements and notices to quit are strengthened and improved and that they will ultimately reinforce a safety net to protect people from eviction. That is critical. The Bill does all that and more. The Bill is incredibly welcome due to the reforms that it introduces, which will enhance the security and sustainability of our renters. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for Communities and all members of the Committee for Communities for their continuous work on strengthening and protecting this vital legislation. I thank Housing Rights, Renters' Voice and the other groups and housing professionals who informed the debate throughout the legislative process.”
“It will also prove essential in extending the notice period that renters are entitled to receive from landlords.”
“It also prevents renters from facing multiple rent increases in any one year.”
“I, too, am delighted to welcome the Final Stage of the Private Tenancies Bill, which, as the Minister has reiterated over the past two years, is a first stage of reform. <BR /> <BR />We all agree that the Bill is much-needed legislation to strengthen the rights and protections of those living in the private rented sector. That sector now accounts for over 17% of the housing stock in the North, housing a vast number of people with a range of specific needs and requirements. <BR /> <BR />The legislation is vital and provides crucial protections to private renters. It will ensure that homes in the private rented sector are safe, warmer and more efficient. It will protect renters from being charged more than one month's rent for a deposit, something that currently creates an inequality of access to the sector.”
“I thank the Minister and the Chair of the Committee for their detail and overview. <BR /> <BR />As we have heard, the regulations are technical and provide the necessary detail on the employer resources test and the purpose for which the Pensions Regulator will utilise it. We are all aware that the growth in occupational pensions is continuing, particularly following the introduction of automatic enrolment. Therefore, it is vital that all steps are taken to minimise any potential risks and provide as much protection as possible for people's savings. I am content to support the motion.”
“Like thousands of families who will benefit from this much-needed assistance, I very much welcome the fact that the energy support scheme payments are set to begin this Thursday. While that is already a huge scheme, can the Minister confirm that she sought to broaden it even further to include those on working tax credits but that the British Treasury refused to cooperate on that?”
“That is a shared priority for housing bodies and organisations such as Housing Rights, Renters' Voice and the others that have been in contact and deal every day with tenants in the social and the private rented sector and have always prioritised their best interests. Therefore, we will support the Minister's proposal on rent regulation. It will amend new article 5C, which, as drafted, cannot be implemented — there is no legislative fix — and would ultimately sacrifice the real protections needed urgently for renters.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin believes that ensuring that the Bill is protected and proceeds to become law is unquestionably a fundamental, shared duty for us as legislators, in order for tenants in the private rented sector to receive the broad range of protections in the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Sinn Féin Minister for Communities has therefore introduced in the legislation a ban on rent increases within annual periods and outlawed any more than one month's rent being charged for deposits. I welcome and support the further amendments proposed by the Minister at Further Consideration Stage, which include placing a duty on the Department to consult quickly on the policy of rent decreases and freezes and enabling it to make regulations in that area as appropriate, following consultation. Also included is an amendment to simplify the tiers that I proposed for notice to quit periods. That is in response to some of the comments received on the matter. Two weeks ago, I worked with Department officials over the weekend to ensure that the Bill and my amendment remained within competence.”
“<BR /> <BR />International human rights law recognises that everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living. That includes having security of tenure to ensure stability and security for individuals, workers and their families. As we all know, housing is the golden thread that impacts on our access to employment, support networks, community services, healthcare and other vital services in our communities. That means that those in the private rented sector, like those in any other housing tenure, must be afforded a place to live in peace, security and stability. That means having secure tenure, availability of services and housing that is accessible given their needs. That means housing that is genuinely affordable.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin's Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, and her predecessor, Carál Ní Chuilín, have announced a series of fundamental reforms that need to be introduced in our housing sector as a matter of urgency. Those reforms have been described as the biggest shake-up in public housing since the inception of the Housing Executive over 50 years ago. The Bill is one piece of those reforms. It recognises that the private rented sector is the second-largest housing tenure here, housing a vast number of people with incredibly complex needs. The Bill aims to ensure that those people are better supported and have access to accommodation that is affordable, secure and of a decent standard that is suitable to their needs.”
“As we all know, the Bill is vital at this time. It includes a vast range of protections for tenants in the private rented sector. I will not go into too much detail. However, the protections include but are not limited to ensuring that receipts are given for payments in cash; ensuring that tenants cannot be charged in excess of one month's rent for a deposit or have their rents increased multiple times in a year; strengthening safety and protection for tenants by introducing a legal requirement for the provision of fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; introducing regulations to increase energy efficiency standards, which will assist in lowering fuel costs and ensuring that people are warm and comfortable in their homes; and strengthening notice to quit periods to provide a larger safety net to protect tenants from eviction.”
“I commend the Minister. From the start, she has been committed to supporting the people who are most in need where it has been possible to do so. The legislation is an example of that. Today's announcement on the energy payment support scheme is another example of where the Minister's heart is when it comes to protecting people. <BR /> <BR />In addition to extending the mitigation payments, she has brought forward regulations to close the loopholes with the benefit cap and bedroom tax, which will mean that more people benefit from that financial support. She has appointed an independent advisory panel to review all current mitigation measures. I commend all those, such as the Cliff Edge Coalition and the range of partner and voluntary organisations, who have campaigned tirelessly on the issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also acknowledge the support that I received for the amendment that I tabled at Further Consideration Stage to ensure that many vulnerable people and families, and the organisations that support them, do not have to continue to worry about the bedroom tax. With the amendment, there is no more uncertainty. There is no more cliff edge. People who are on low incomes and depend on that support will now have the security of knowing that they will continue to be protected from a Tory tax. We can finally reduce the worries of many of the most vulnerable households. We can keep the focus on the health and well-being of people and families, not on how many bedrooms they have.”
“I welcome the Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill's reaching its Final Stage. It is a really important piece of legislation for households affected by this unjust and unfair Tory tax. It not only extends the current mitigation scheme relating to the bedroom tax, but also removes the end date and provides reassurance to so many of our people — our working families and our most vulnerable — who are currently in receipt of the payment. It is great to see consensus across the Chamber for extending this mitigation, protecting our families and our people from further hardship.”
“Thank you, Minister. I welcome the fact that the energy support scheme payment is set to commence on 10 March. I am sure that all of us will agree that constituents have been contacting our offices because they are keen to know the date. Today's announcement will give them reassurance. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister confirm that she also sought to broaden the scheme further in order to include those on working tax credit?”
“People deserve better, and they deserve more security to stay in their homes.”
“That would provide tenants with strengthened protections from eviction. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, that will ensure that tenants are better protected from eviction. That reflects the points raised by Renters' Voice and other groups on the importance of lengthier notice periods. Without those periods, people will have to scramble to find a house — any house — regardless of whether it suits their needs or whether the contract is reasonable or unreasonable. We should not have people being forced into those situations, particularly our most vulnerable and families with young children.”
“I understand those concerns, and we had discussions about them in the Committee. That is an instance where the Department could look at including an exemption. Those concerns have definitely been discussed, and I recognise them. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 15 continues to reflect the support for a notice period of four weeks — 28 days — for tenancies of fewer than six months. It proposes a staged approach thereafter, with differing notice periods. That would see the period extended to just over 12 weeks — 90 days — for tenancies of between six months and one year in length; to over four months — 120 days — for tenancies between one and three years; to over six months — 180 days — for tenancies between three and seven years; to over 190 days for tenancies over seven years; and eight months — 224 days — for those over eight years.”
“Several respondents suggested the adoption of a staged approach — at Committee, we spoke about a tiered approach — whereby the length of the notice to quit period reflects the length of a tenancy. That is what is ultimately being proposed in amendment No 15.”
“Nonetheless, we are fully supportive of the political ambition to prohibit rent increases to give hard-pressed renters a break from extortionate rents. <BR /> <BR />I ask for support for my amendments that extend the notice to quit period that is given to tenants by landlords. Sinn Féin has been vocal about the fact that the notice to quit period needs to be longer to strengthen the existing safety net by providing increased protections from eviction. At Consideration Stage, the Committee reserved its judgement on clause 11 as the outcome of the consultation on that issue was outstanding. In the subsequent publication of the consultation findings, 72% of respondents agreed that notice to quit periods should vary depending on the length of the tenancy.”
“The Minister has also included a new clause, which will enable the Department for Communities to make provision, through regulations, for tenants to be consulted and given options on the method of payment of rent. For example, those regulations may impose duties on prospective landlords to provide specified information before the terms of a tenancy are agreed. All those amendments will strengthen the Private Tenancies Bill. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin is supportive of the political intent behind amendment No 13, and the Minister has been very clear on her support for further work on rent regulation. Nonetheless, we recognise the concern that was raised by the Minister after she received advice on it. Amendment No 13, as it stands, is problematic insofar as it relates only to current rental contracts and thus will be retrospective.”
“It is vital that we, as MLAs, ensure that the legislation is passed and that people are protected urgently, given the impact of that on people. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister stated, we are aware that the Bill is not all-encompassing. More still needs to be done to address housing inadequacies here, including the outlawing of illegal letting fees and a strengthening of fitness standards. There should also be consideration of the grounds for eviction, tenants' rights and rent regulation. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's amendments, which have been tabled to strengthen and enhance the Private Tenancies Bill and the protections for those in the private rented sector. Those amendments have, first of all, added clarity on rent receipts and other aspects following Committee scrutiny in that area.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the Bill, the ambitions to strengthen electrical safety standards and to ensure a legal requirement to provide working fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are vital, along with the proposed regulations for strengthening energy efficiency standards. Those will help lower fuel costs, something that is critical at this time. We know that anyone who rents a home here spends 40% more on heating and electricity a week than they do on keeping a roof over their head. We are all in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, which includes rising prices for heating, electricity, oil, car fuel and groceries.”
“As we are aware, this legislative change is crucial for those who are living in the private rented sector. Not only will it protect tenants by strengthening the legal requirements on the information that they receive about their tenancies but it will ensure that they receive receipts for payments that are made in cash, that they cannot be charged more than one month's rent for their deposit and that they cannot have their rent increased more than once per annum. Such practices should not be happening currently, and people should not find themselves priced out of accessing a safe, secure place to call home under this form of housing tenure. We must ensure that it is affordable and accessible to ordinary people — families and workers — and that it is safe and secure and enables people to live in dignity.”
“As I stated at Consideration Stage, removing the end date will help to bring certainty to those receiving this payment. We have all agreed here in the House that the Tory policy of the bedroom tax is unfair and unjust. There will be no more cliff-edge scenarios for our people in our communities. It is critical that we provide people with support and certainty, particularly in these uncertain times. I welcome the fact that there remains consensus on the mitigation and in relation to the amendments proposed by the Minister. I am content with the rationale that has been provided for the amendments, some of which are technical. I am happy to support them. I look forward to the Bill's moving to its Final Stage.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. Given that the future of energy is, as we are all aware, all-Ireland in nature, will you detail what discussions you have had on that with your counterparts in the South? What are your plans with regard to the energy strategy and working with our counterparts in the South on the development of renewable energy?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement on the Budget. As you are aware, many organisations in the community and voluntary sector face great uncertainty. Staff have been on protective notice since December. The sector works with more than 17,000 people, including the long-term unemployed and people with disabilities, trying to get them back into work through reskilling and training. These groups do an enormous amount of really important work, despite the reckless actions, I have to say, of the DUP. Minister, how can this difficulty and uncertainty be resolved for all the organisations and groups that provide that service and for all the individuals who benefit annually?”
“I welcome the development and the hard work undertaken so far around the commitment given to Bangor and to the regeneration of our town centres. Regeneration will make a huge difference, particularly given the pandemic. Will the Minister outline the benefits of this type of regeneration project for town centres?”
“The coalition has lobbied hard, and it is a good day for it. I am sure that its members are watching the debate tonight and are delighted that Members from across the parties are very much in agreement about the amendments and making improvements. <BR /> <BR />It is great that we can bring certainty to the people and families who have had this issue hanging over their heads for such a long time. We can protect those families from Tory cuts once and for all.”
“Yes. I agree with the Member, and it is pertinent that the common selection scheme be reviewed. We must constantly review housing schemes as things have been stale for the past 10, 20 or 30 years. We must evolve and change, and housing is critical. We all know that having a home provides security and safety for individuals and families in order for them to survive and thrive in their communities and to access jobs. As Kellie mentioned, it is not just a little tweak; it is about constant review in order to improve and change. Yes, I very much agree with Andy. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Cliff Edge Coalition and the 130 plus organisations that it represents, which have tirelessly concentrated on welfare mitigations and brought presentations to the Committee. I was keen to meet the Cliff Edge Coalition to discuss welfare reform mitigations.”
“Mark mentioned that we have unique circumstances in the North, and, as Andy mentioned, our housing needs are not like elsewhere. It will not take a decade; it will take decades. I have been a Member of the Assembly only for the last three or four months, but I am excited about the future of social housing and the new types of housing that the Department, the Minister and the Committee have been working on.”
“Hopefully, we agree the amendments and today is a good day.”
“It was fought for by her and by Sinn Féin to ensure that the mitigation packages were there to support our most vulnerable people at that time and to continue to support people. I thank her for reminding us all.We all need to be reminded of that. It was hard fought, but it was a good win with regard to implementing the mitigations and continuing the mitigations. <BR /> <BR />It was not last year or the year before; it was nearly six years ago. People have had this hanging over their head for a long time wondering whether we are going to take more money out of their pocket. As we have heard, people are going through so much at the minute, with the cost-of living crisis and energy costs. This is about trying to keep money in people's pockets so that they can feed their families and heat their homes. That is why it is critical.”
“First and foremost, I thank all Members for their support tonight for my amendments. Just to reiterate, my clear intention with the amendments is that there will be a detailed review. As Kellie mentioned, in short, it is always important to monitor and review all aspects of legislation. We must review everything so that we can constantly evolve, change and improve. I reiterate that. <BR /> <BR />In response to Paula, I will say that, like Andy, I was not here five or six years ago, but I was working in the heart of the community when the Tory Government brought that forward. I listened to the Member say how horrified she was and how passionately she followed through with her commitment to ensure that the mitigations were there for those she represents and for all other constituents.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will speak very briefly on amendment Nos 5 and 7, which, in short, retain the requirement for a review in 12 months, leading up to March 2025. Of course, it is always important to monitor and review all aspects of mitigations. It is via that mechanism that changes and improvements can continue to be identified and addressed. <BR /> <BR />I urge all Members to support amendment Nos 1, 5 and 7.”
“Given the time constraints, I fully support the Minister's decision to proceed with the Bill with an end date included. However, here and now, there is an opportunity, through amendment No 1, to give people on low incomes the security of knowing that they will continue to be protected from this Tory tax. <BR /> <BR />From the amendments submitted by other Members, it seems that they also have issues with the end date, though they offer different alternatives as to what it could be. The SDLP alternative, in particular, is a bit bizarre. It proposes an end date of 2030, which, as Members are well aware, would bring us to another cliff edge. I urge all Members to unite behind amendment No 1, which will remove the end date for all. It will give security to the people who depend on this support.”
“That was the right thing to do. Some 36,000 people are protected because of the mitigation and, hopefully, with the loopholes being closed today, even more will benefit. I welcome that a consensus on continuing the mitigation remains, but it is not right or necessary to create another cliff-edge scenario. <BR /> <BR />I understand the Minister's position in taking forward the Bill in its current form. She has been more than clear, since she came into post, that her intention is to effectively bin the bedroom tax. However, as we are all aware, that requires Executive support. With the ongoing delay, it was not sustainable. People needed and deserved assurance that the payments would continue. However, we are where we are now.”
“Many of those things may be out of our control but, where we can provide support for people, this is the time to do it. People do not need any more uncertainty. We must change it for the better. <BR /> <BR />The Tory policy that we know as the bedroom tax is unfair and unjust. In previous discussions, many of my colleagues have spoken about the number of one- and two-bedroom properties here that would allow people to live where they want to live and to go to work, attend school or undertake caring responsibilities: those properties barely even exist here. People in the North would fall foul of the tax. It is important that we focus on the health and well-being of our people and our families, not on how many bedrooms they have in their home. <BR /> <BR />As Members know, the Executive agreed in 2015 that the mitigation was required.”
“I will speak in favour of amendment Nos 1, 5 and 7. <BR /> <BR />The purpose of amendment No 1 is to remove the end date from the Bill. Members will be aware that I expressed my concern about the inclusion of an end date during the previous debate on the matter and again earlier today, when I spoke on the motion to close the loopholes. <BR /> <BR />The stated end date is March 2025: that is only three years away. Do we honestly feel that families should have to continue to worry about the bedroom tax? Energy costs are soaring, and that is predicted to continue over the next three years. The cost of living continues to rise. We are still trying to work through the challenges of the pandemic. People do not need this hanging over their heads.”
“There could not be a more important time to do this, given the rising cost of living that we all hear about on a weekly basis from our constituents, regarding the challenges they face. <BR /> <BR />It would have been preferable if the regulations did not have an end date, as that just creates another cliff edge in the future. However, it is important that people have some certainty in the time ahead, particularly given the current economic situation and, more so, the political situation that we find ourselves in. <BR /> <BR />The closing of the loopholes, as outlined by the Minister, is welcome. The mitigations continue to play an important role in protecting people from the worst excesses of Tory policy and Tory cuts. Therefore, I support the motion.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I thank the Minister and Chair of the Committee for giving a detailed overview of the Welfare Supplementary Payment (Amendment) Regulations. The regulations follow the extension of the current mitigations and will, as we heard, close what have become known as the "loopholes" in the benefit cap for families with children and in the bedroom tax. <BR /> <BR />I commend and recognise all who campaigned tirelessly for change. It is clear that our Minister is someone who listens and is committed to bringing about meaningful change where it is possible and for those who need it most. The changes brought about by the regulations will ensure that more people qualify for the payments.”
“Minister, you mentioned operational independence, but can you confirm whether you have received a business case from the PSNI that sets out how it aims to meet its shortfall over the next few years?”
“I thank the Minister for her update. She mentioned that the study and the business case are complete and that she is looking at halts. Does she have a timescale for that? We know how critical it is; in particular, the delivery of phase 3 is urgent. If there is a deadline or a timescale for the Derry to Coleraine upgrade, it will be much appreciated.”
“Minister, the City of Derry Airport provides vital connectivity to the north-west, so we all concur with Mark. Any additional support and public service obligations to the city and the airport will be hugely important. Will the Minister confirm whether the airport will be included in the package of rate reliefs in the upcoming Budget?”
“Minister Deirdre Hargey is committed to protecting people from the bedroom tax and closing the loopholes to ensure that our families, children, workers and the most vulnerable in society are protected. They remain our priority. <BR /> <BR />The appointment of the independent advisory panel to review all the welfare protections is welcome news for us all. I acknowledge, as did the Chair and the Minister, the excellent and sterling work of the Cliff Edge Coalition and other organisations, which have campaigned for the extension of these welfare protections. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion.”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on the Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations. I thank the Minister and the Committee Chair for outlining the detail of the regulations. As we heard, their main purpose is to extend remaining mitigations to March 2025. While it is preferable that no end date be included, the regulations should hopefully provide reassurance and certainty for many people across the North who are in receipt of the payments, in the time ahead and particularly up to 2025. <BR /> <BR />At a time of rising living costs, securing these welfare protections will help to shield so many people and families from the worst aspects of the cruel cuts by the Tory Government.”
“As we have heard, the overall purpose of the Pension Schemes Bill is to amend the existing guaranteed minimum pension conversion provisions to simplify and, ultimately, bring clarity to the legislation. I thank the Minister and Committee Chair for the detailed overview that they have provided. The provisions are technical in nature and, as we have seen in previous Bills associated with private pensions, are on a complex mix of devolved, excepted and reserved matters. <BR /> <BR />I understand the importance of providing the required legal certainty to pension schemes in this area and that taking forward a separate Assembly Bill would result in significant delay. Therefore, while it is always preferable to legislate via the Assembly, I accept the rationale for using a legislative consent motion in this case.”
“I am pleased that the Minister has committed to keeping the provisions under review. It is critical that we continue to do all that we can to support the most vulnerable, and the Bill is certainly a step forward. I support the Bill.”