Phillip Brett
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Paula has been a diligent Chair who has championed the interests of victims and survivors. I personally thank her for her work on the Bill. I pay tribute to Committee members, who also dedicated their time to the Bill, and to our Committee staff.”
“At the outset, I pay tribute to the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for her heartfelt and valuable contribution. As you rightly said, Mr Deputy Speaker, her family will be very proud of the contribution that she has just made. <BR /> <BR />Today marks a truly significant moment.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am therefore delighted to report to the House that a U-turn has been secured. This year, the Twelfth has been promoted through Discover Northern Ireland's social media channels.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill will establish a statutory public inquiry alongside a redress scheme, both of which are important. Their establishment recognises that there is a responsibility not only to uncover truth but to acknowledge the profound harm that was caused.”
“I warmly welcome the progress that has been achieved in the promotion of the Twelfth of July and our wider Orange and Ulster-Scots traditions by Tourism Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Today's debate is not about rewriting history but about confronting history honestly. It is about recognising that vulnerable women and children were failed by institutions, by society and by the state.”
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“Indeed, they all continue to make representations to the Economy Minister. I was therefore disappointed to learn that, rather than issue a statement to the House or to the Committee, she had issued one through the Sinn Féin press office to say that she would not be increasing tuition fees. In doing so, she set out no plan for how she will fund the model moving forward. As a North Belfast representative, I am disappointed that the Department is cutting 250 places at the Ulster University campus there. I recognise, however, that my colleagues who represent the Foyle constituency will warmly welcome the growth this year, by 250 places, at the Magee campus. I pay tribute in particular to my colleague Maurice Bradley, who continues to champion the Coleraine campus and has secured an additional 200 places for it for this year.”
“I am happy to join the Member in doing that. Richard and the team down there have done a fantastic job. The new Harry Potter ride, which is to be opened at a Universal Studios park, was produced in Northern Ireland, in the Member's constituency. I congratulate her, because, in her time as Minister for the Economy, she championed that industry, which is proving to be hugely successful. <BR /> <BR />Notwithstanding the difficulties with Budget scrutiny, I anticipate that the majority of Committee members will support the Supply resolution. <BR /> <BR />I will now make some comments as a private Member. I have some concerns about the continued funding model for the higher education sector. All our institutions are on record as saying that the current model is not sustainable.”
“It would be remiss of me not to put on record my thanks to the Minister for doing that. We remain concerned, however, about how a reduction in Northern Ireland Screen's budget may affect the continuing delivery of successful creative industries here. <BR /> <BR />The capital budget position is that projects that have been committed to, such as the Magee expansion and the city and growth deals, will be delivered. Other capital projects appear to have been paused.”
“My colleagues on the Public Accounts Committee are looking at that issue. Hopefully, the PAC will release its report soon and establish who has primacy. The Committee is keen to get into the detail of the discussions, and it will seek clarity and confirmation that there are not reductions in resource spending and that the support for city and growth deals will not be undermined. <BR /> <BR />As was indicated in the previous debate on the Budget, pay pressures on the Civil Service and further education have crystallised into additional employers' National Insurance costs. The Department appears to have assured the Committee that it will cover those costs. The Committee pays tribute to the Minister for negotiating a pay settlement for further education lecturers.”
“The position on the anticipated delivery of key outcomes was not set out to the Committee in a particularly forthcoming way, making our assessment of Budget allocations very difficult.”
“For Queen's University, there will be no projected change, whereas, for Ulster University, there will be a reduction in places at the Belfast campus and an increase in places at the Coleraine and Magee campuses. Overall, those are important developments, so it is very strange that members found it almost impossible to get the Department to share that information with the Committee, despite the best endeavours of the Member for Foyle on several occasions. <BR /> <BR />The impact assessments, which were expected to provide a significant level of detail, told us almost nothing. The Estimates memorandum, which showed us overall trends, also showed almost nothing at the budget line level.”
“The Economy Committee received oral and written evidence on budget matters from the Department in December, February, April and as recently as last week. The Committee also received the Department's Main Estimates memorandum and, more recently, the impact assessment for budget allocations. It is fair to say that, even with all that briefing, Committee members have greatly struggled to understand the Department's budget position for 2025-26 compared with that of the previous year. <BR /> <BR />The Committee learned only last week that we are to see a 3% increase in support for skills places and an 8% increase in higher level apprenticeships in 2025-26. It appears that, despite a flat cash allocation, the overall projected numbers for higher education students are to stay the same.”
“I apologise for not being present for all the remarks that Members have made. As you will be aware, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, a serious incident took place in the early hours of this morning in North Belfast. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Finance Minister back to his place. We missed him yesterday, but I thank him for his engagement on behalf of the Executive with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. We look forward to, hopefully, getting a bit of an update on that important engagement when he makes his concluding remarks. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee, I thank the Minister for bringing forward this debate on the Supply resolution. Its passage will authorise the Main Estimates and provide an important paving resolution for the Budget (No. 2) Bill next week.”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. There was no mention in it of the Union connectivity review, however, or of the £5 million that was provided to Northern Ireland as a result. Why was that not discussed at the meeting? Do you have any update to give on the spending of that £5 million?”
“Jonny has been with us during some of our more difficult and, indeed, our best times, as he played for Northern Ireland in the Euros in 2016. As a lifelong Northern Ireland fan, I thank Jonny for his service to my club and, more important, to our country. There are some vacancies in managerial football in North Belfast, so Jonny is welcome to come back if he wants to take up a position at Seaview. I wish Jonny a long and happy retirement with his wife, Helen, and their children and to thank him for his service to the people of North Belfast and Northern Ireland.”
“and Northern Ireland, I have followed Jonny's journey with absolute pride. Jonny made his debut for Northern Ireland in 2006 on that famous night when we won 3-2 against Spain. Jonny went on to make his professional debut for Manchester United in 2007. After 200 games, he played his last game for the club last weekend, bringing to an end the last of the golden era of Alex Ferguson. Jonny was the fourth player in the history of the Northern Ireland football team to receive over 100 caps, and he was awarded an MBE by the Prince of Wales in 2023 for his services to football. <BR /> <BR />Despite Jonny winning 11 major championships with Manchester United, including the Premier League and the Champions League, he said that the greatest moment of his career was captaining his country and representing Northern Ireland on the world stage.”
“I pay tribute to Manchester United, Northern Ireland and, more important, North Belfast legend Jonny Evans, who this month retired from professional football. As a sometimes heartbroken fan of both Manchester United”
“We have managed to spend two hours of precious time rehashing the arguments of nine years ago, but, finally, we have exposed the Alliance Party for what it is: a party that blindly follows the pan-nationalist front that wants to deliver Irish unity.”
“This party has never campaigned against peace. This party, unlike your party, campaigned against the release of terrorists who continue to inflict damage on society today, so your party should be the one that is ashamed of itself, not Members on these Benches. <BR /> <BR />The people of Northern Ireland want us to focus on the issues that matter most to them: fixing our NHS, growing our economy and sorting out issues with childcare. That is where the focus of this party will continue to be. It is clear that the non-binding motion from the SDLP will not pass today, nor will the Alliance amendment.”
“As a seven-year-old, I did not have too much say at the time of the Belfast Agreement.”
“It was the public at large, who rejected terrorism from wherever it came, rejected paramilitarism and stood up to those terrorist thugs, who delivered peace here. We do not need to be part of the European project to know right from wrong. Looking after our neighbours is a core value of people in Northern Ireland, be they unionist, nationalist or neither. We do not need to be a part of the European Union to continue to show generosity. <BR /> <BR />I see Mr Honeyford getting active in his seat, so I am happy to give way to him.”
“Mr McGrath did a much better job than I ever could of attacking his sister party, the Labour Government, and the terrible policy decisions that they have taken. I just hope that, at the next Westminster election, when we hear party political broadcasts telling us to vote for the SDLP because it has an in with Labour and can influence its decisions, Mr McGrath will be a bit more honest with the public, because the SDLP has no influence over or say in the issues on which the Labour Government will decide. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I will pick up on some of the points made. It was said that we have to be a member of the European Union to preserve peace in Northern Ireland or to be kind to our neighbours. Let me be clear once again: the European Union did not deliver peace in Northern Ireland.”
“They see their political leaders talk down to them as though they are intellectually or morally inferior because they dared to choose to leave the European project. We thought that we had learnt lessons from doing that, but, instead, we have Members saying that 17·2 million people decided to leave the European Union because of an advert in the 'Metro' newspaper. I will just remind the Members for East Antrim and Lagan Valley, who have spent their time attacking that democratic decision, that their constituents — not mine — voted to leave the European Union.”
“That is why we have seen Members on the Benches opposite being so irate with the Opposition for tabling the motion: they have called their political bluff. Instead of aiming the entirety of their contributions at the Democratic Unionist Party and insulting the 17·2 million people across the United Kingdom who willingly expressed their democratic consent to leave the European Union, they may wish to look at how they behaved over the past nine years. It was clear that it was always going to end like this. When you get caught out, you lash out at those who are closest to you. We have seen the leader of the Opposition being subjected to that abuse because, unfortunately, he has politically outmanoeuvred them here today. <BR /> <BR />Remarks that have been made explain why the people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.”
“Well, well, well: the rigorous implementers have well and truly fallen out with themselves. Barnier's "Brady Bunch", who all went down to Dublin together to try to impose the current sanctions here in Northern Ireland, have now fallen out because, unfortunately, the Alliance Party, through wilful ignorance or intentional neglect, has found out what the imposition of the protocol was really all about. In fairness to the leader of the Opposition and Sinn Féin, they made it clear for the entirety of the way through that they saw the implementation of those measures as a constitutional attack on Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom, but the Alliance Party, so blinded by its loyalty to its EU masters, went along with it. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, the motion means that the Alliance Party's fence sitting has to come to an end.”
“The Minister will be aware of my support and, I believe, that of the public for the introduction of Harper's law in Northern Ireland, which would require a mandatory life sentence for those convicted of killing a front-line officer, be that through murder or manslaughter. Last summer, in response to a question for written answer, the Minister told me that she had asked her officials to look at that matter when scoping out the Bill. Does she have an update on that?”
“Minister, the transport strategy aims to increase the use of public transport. One of the key ways to do that is to provide a late-night service from Belfast city centre all year round, not just at Christmastime. Last month, the Minister met stakeholders about bringing forward a business case for Translink to deliver a late-night service all year round. Can the Minister provide an update on that meeting?”
“The statement rightly puts housing supply at its forefront, but does the Minister share my concern about the impact that a broken immigration system is having on the supply of housing, particularly in my constituency of North Belfast, where private rental continues to soar and local families are left to languish on waiting lists? What can the Minister do to tackle that disgraceful situation?”
“The First Minister may have seen the polling published today in the 'Belfast Telegraph' that asked nationalist voters about their priorities for the work of the Assembly and the Executive. Not a single person mentioned presidential election voting rights. Does the First Minister agree that the Irish Government, in rejecting the proposal, are more in tune with the electorate of Northern Ireland than she is?”
“We are hugely proud that we delivered the industrial derating policy, which ensures that manufacturers across Northern Ireland benefit from the rate relief that they deserve. As a result of our championing that economic opportunity across Northern Ireland, tens of thousands of people remain in jobs in vital sectors. This party will continue to champion and stand up for the manufacturing sector across Northern Ireland.”
“The Manufacturing Month programme of activities will culminate in the annual Anchor High Leadership Summit, which will take place in my constituency on Thursday. <BR /> <BR />During this month, Manufacturing Northern Ireland launched the report 'Manufacturing and the Northern Ireland Economy', which highlights the vital contribution that the sector makes to our economy, accounting for almost 14% of all economic output in Northern Ireland. Its output, worth over £6 billion, makes it the second most important sector to the economy in jobs and value. The report also found that the sector accounts for 17% of private-sector jobs and 21% of all turnover despite accounting for just 6% of the total private business population. <BR /> <BR />We in this party have been champions for our manufacturing sector for many years.”
“As the DUP economy spokesperson, I take this opportunity to recognise that this is Manufacturing Month in Northern Ireland. Manufacturing Month is an annual initiative led by Manufacturing Northern Ireland that celebrates and supports the vibrant manufacturing and engineering sector here. <BR /> <BR />Manufacturing is a powerhouse of the Northern Ireland economy, driving innovation, developing talent and leading the green growth agenda. Northern Ireland manufacturers are rightly recognised as global leaders in delivering cutting-edge solutions and sustainable, high-quality jobs. It is only right that I celebrate their role and the economic impact that they have on every corner of our country.”
“I know where the people of my constituency stand, however, and that is firmly behind the motion that we have brought to the House today.”
“That is not extremism or fascism; that is someone who wants to live in peace in a house that they bought 40 years ago. They paid taxes and should be looked after. The issues that face the people of North Belfast are no different from those that face all Members and all our constituents, but people seem to struggle with the basic fact that two things can be correct at the same time. Yes, we need to see more investment in housing, and, yes, we need to see more investment in the NHS, but having uncontrolled immigration continues to stress and strain a system that does not have the capacity. This party tabled the motion in the face of the hurling of abuse and mud-slinging that we knew would come, but, ultimately, we are not accountable to those who sit on the other Benches. We are accountable to the people who voted for us.”
“That brings me on to why this party will oppose the amendment. First, removing the lamentation about illegal immigration does a disservice to the tens of thousands of wonderful people in every corner of Northern Ireland who have gone through the proper process to come to Northern Ireland, who have invested in this country, who nurse our sick and who look on in absolute disgust that the process that they went through is not being followed by others. <BR /> <BR />The leader of the Opposition said that we are not interested in the issue of HMOs, so I want to touch on that. It is absolutely destroying parts of my constituency of North Belfast. Inner cities are unrecognisable from what they were many, many years ago. Pensioners who come into my office are concerned because they have seven or eight males moving into the house next door.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />The only party, of course, that raised the issue of skin colour and religion — it is not included in our motion — was the Alliance Party. That party thrives on division. It thrives on looking down on those who do not subscribe to their woke nonsense and liberal elitism. This party has a right to bring forward the issues that matter to the people whom we represent, and that is exactly what we are doing today. Just as the Alliance Party is more interested in policing the flying of our flag from lamp posts than illegal immigration, we will stand up for those who voted for us.”
“This party never justified political violence, this party never supported the murder of people based on the sole fact that they were Protestants, and this party never attempted to inflict genocide on the Protestant population of this country. That was your party opposite. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party's contribution —.”
“I want to respond to some of the issues that the leader of the Opposition raised. I will put my record, my commitment and the commitment of my party to working-class communities against anyone's in the House. I would not dare challenge any Member's commitment to their constituents, and I do not expect or appreciate his attempting to quantify my commitment to the people whom I am honoured to represent. He described these Benches as containing "young right-wingers". I do not think that I am particularly young or right wing, but, if standing up and speaking up for the people who put their trust in me makes me a young right-winger, I will wear that badge with honour. <BR /> <BR />My party and I will take no lectures on political extremism from the Benches opposite.”
“The people whom we speak for are not far right, are not extremists and are not fascists, but, given the language used in the discourse from the Benches opposite, it is no wonder that members of the public feel unheard, unvalued and that politicians do not care what they have to say.”
“I commend the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone on her excellent contribution. <BR /> <BR />Well, well, it did not take long for the insults and abuse to be heard across the Chamber. As I predicted yesterday, they would rather fight with insults than speak to the facts that are before them today.”
“I thank the Minister for his update. Were there any discussions about best practice in hospice care? In particular, the Minister will be aware of the difference in the funding model in the Republic of Ireland, where hospices are funded 100% by government. That is not the case here in Northern Ireland. Was there any discussion on how we can better support our hospices here?”
“It was attended by thousands of people from across Northern Ireland and was a fitting tribute to the men, women and children who gave their life for the freedom that we enjoy today. The arch was opened by World War II hero Victor Clarke and modern-day hero Andy Allen MLA. People from all communities and none came together to mark VE Day. As a representative of North Belfast, I say how proud I am of each and every one of those groups and I thank them for their continued service in ensuring that we remember our fallen heroes.”
“I was delighted to attend events that were organised by the RATH Community Group; the Sons of Kai Flute Band; North Belfast Orange hall, from where my dodgy dancing skills have gone viral; Crusaders Football Club, which used the opportunity to raise funds for local charities; the White City over-50s; Seniors by the Shore; the Ballysillan Cultural Initiative; Alexandra Presbyterian Church; the Rathfern Social Activity Centre; Mountainview Battlefields Association; the Shore Crescent women's group; Rathcoole CREW; the Queens Park women's group; the Community Relations Council; and Lower Shankill residents' group. <BR /> <BR />The most poignant event was the opening of the military arch on the Shankill Road.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. First, I associate myself with the remarks that were made about Dementia Action Week, and I take this opportunity to pay tribute to my constituent Emily Wilson for her tireless work and campaigning on that important issue. <BR /> <BR />As we mark the end of the VE Day anniversary and celebrations, I pay tribute to the communities the length and breadth of my North Belfast constituency that gave of their time to ensure that we commemorated and celebrated that important event. From Sandyknowes roundabout to the Shankill Road and everywhere in between, communities put on a great show. I will certainly and happily take this opportunity to name a few.”
“I thank the Minister for his lively update to the House this afternoon. Given the Minister's self-purported involvement in the process, can he update the House on whether he secured the removal of pet passports, which create the ridiculous situation where domestic pets moving from GB into Northern Ireland require documentation, or does he still subscribe to his party leader's view that the protocol must be implemented rigorously?”
“Minister, when you were at the Committee a few weeks ago, I raised how the report highlights the impact of the Windsor framework and the continual displacement of Northern Ireland within the UK internal market and the economic impact of that. Will the Minister ensure that the Executive make a collective appeal to the UK Government to fully restore Northern Ireland's place in the internal UK market?”
“I welcome the Minister's commitment — this is on page 53 of the Budget document — to increase domestic and international air connectivity. However, no details have been set out on how the Executive propose to do that. There is no line on the long-awaited route development fund or, indeed, airport support beyond what has previously been provided. <BR /> <BR />The Committee will look with interest to ensure that we receive details of how the Minister proposes to allocate her budget, and we will support her in trying to make Northern Ireland continue to grow its economic status.”
“I also received a copy of a letter sent to the Minister by Queen's University, dated 12 May. It sets out clearly the university's concerns about the allocations and the "grave implications" that they have for higher education and capital projects in Northern Ireland.”
“She was determined to get an outcome on that and had the Committee's and my support. I thank her for that. Secondly, the Committee previously raised with the Minister the issue of securing and allocating FTC. She honoured her word by making bids for that, and the Finance Minister has made allocations. I thank the Economy Minister for that. <BR /> <BR />I want to make some other comments. I have huge concerns about the proposed cuts to higher education in Northern Ireland, particularly to our institutions of Ulster University in Belfast and Coleraine and Queen's University Belfast (QUB). The issue has made its way into the media in recent weeks via a letter sent by the three higher education institutions and two teaching colleges in Northern Ireland that outlined their serious concerns about the current budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Programme for Government includes a significant commitment to promoting economic development. The skills barometer shows what the skills need will be in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, however, the Committee cannot be absolutely sure at this time that all the promises set out in the PFG will be met by the budget allocation. <BR /> <BR />I will make a number of remarks as economy spokesperson for my party. The Budget arrived in my pigeonhole only this morning, so I was not able to quite get across its 117 pages. I will, however, remark on the section on the economy. <BR /> <BR />First, I congratulate the Minister on securing a pay settlement with FE lecturers. In fairness to the Minister, I think that she recognised the important role that they play in our economy and for young people across Northern Ireland.”
“As I indicated in April, if FE lecturers accept the pay offer of around 5·5%, which, I understand, they may have done today, there may be a further pressure of around £5 million on the Department's budget. It is not clear at this time how that will be addressed. Previously, the Department advised that it is expected that pressures associated with higher education provision would largely be met by the 2025-26 Budget. However, in subsequent papers, the Department appeared to advise of a baseline cut to higher education, including student support. Some of those have been offset by further allocations that were made in recent weeks, however, at this time, the Committee is still not clear on what the overall impact of that cut will be on higher education places.”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite the Executive's agreeing the Budget and a Budget document having been laid, the Department for the Economy is yet to provide the Committee with impact assessments for the allocations for 2025-26. As indicated in my remarks on behalf of the Committee last month, without those, Committee members have found it impossible to determine what the Budget might mean for skills places, apprenticeship numbers, further education (FE) places or, indeed, higher education (HE) places, all of which could impact significantly on our economy. <BR /> <BR />Some information has been provided on Northern Ireland Civil Service pay pressures and the FE pay deal.”
“I will make some remarks on behalf of the Committee and then, with your indulgence, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, in my personal capacity. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee, I thank the Minister for securing the debate on the 2025-26 Budget and for laying the associated Budget documents last week. The Economy Committee received oral evidence on these matters from the then Minister in December 2024. We heard from officials on 5 February 2025 and noted further written departmental submissions on 26 February 2025. We heard from the current Economy Minister on 9 April and have lately received the Department's Estimates memorandum for 2025-26. The Estimates memorandum helpfully provides comparisons for key budget lines, contrasting the closing position for 2024-25 with the proposed opening budgets for this year.”
“He is charged with indecent exposure to young females in lower north Belfast. Such incidents are becoming all too common. <BR /> <BR />Tomorrow, the House will debate a motion from this party on the issue. I see Members opposite shaking their heads. Be in no doubt: the public will be watching people's reactions to the debate tomorrow, because people are deeply concerned about the matter. They will not be browbeaten into silence by fake charges of racism or being far-right. People who are concerned about the safety of their family or children are not racist or far-right. It is not controversial to say that the Government should put the interests of those born here first. This party will continue to be a champion for a system that treats people fairly. This party will not be silenced on the issue. Tomorrow, the public will be watching.”
“The issues have been felt throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in my constituency of North Belfast. The increased number of houses of multiple occupancy and unvetted males is rightly causing concern to families, children and our public. Just this week, the courts remanded into custody a 35-year-old male asylum seeker who, in the words of the judge, posed:”