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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“It is understood that, should negotiations prove to be protracted, the costs will be shown as accrual against the 2023-24 budget. As that process is understood to be ongoing, consequently, and not to prejudice those negotiations, in my role as Chair, my remarks will necessarily be limited at this stage. I will say simply that the Committee as a whole wants to see a speedy resolution to that pay settlement in recognition of the vital role that the further education sector plays in the delivery of the 10X strategy, which is, of course, the key economic vision that still remains within the Department for the Economy.”
“<BR /> <BR />Additionally, as I indicated in my contribution during the Budget Bill Second Stage, the Committee has had very little time to pursue and consider all of this. That said, I think that the Committee was relieved to note that, despite considerable funding pressures in 2023-24, delivery continued for key measurements, including particularly apprenticeships and skills. The Committee did note with concern, however, that, in the coming year, Executive funds will be needed to replace European social fund money, particularly for apprenticeships. That is something that the Committee is united in focusing on. <BR /> <BR />Another considerable pressure on the 2023-24 budget was the prospective pay settlement for further education (FE) lecturers.”
“My initial remarks are on behalf of the Committee and in my role as Chairman of the Committee. The Minister for the Economy recently provided written and oral briefings to the Committee on the spring Supplementary Estimates. I commend his ability to give the longest possible answers to the shortest possible questions during that evidence session. However, it is notable that, without the transparency provided by monitoring round statements, the Committee has struggled to track the changes in spending from the Main Estimates to the present. The Committee was provided with some clarity by the Department on those issues after our requests. That said, a number of matters remain outstanding, particularly in relation to slippage in spend on city deal funding.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Can the Minister put on record whether it is his position that there should be an all-island harmonisation of corporation tax?”
“Will the Minister update the House on the consultation exercise that took place and outline why 2026 is when he believes that this might be introduced? Could it not be done sooner? He will have the support of my party in trying to deliver it as soon as possible. I thank the Minister for his comments.”
“First, I will put on record my thanks to the Member for Upper Bann and the Member for East Antrim, the current Minister for Communities, who first introduced this legislation. As the Minister for the Economy rightly said, these measures make Northern Ireland a global leader in relation to supporting parents at what is a very difficult time. The Minister will be aware that, during his time in the United States last week, the House passed an amendment in my name and that of my colleague, calling for further progress in relation to similar arrangements for miscarriage leave. I know that he has said that he hopes to have that operational by April 2026, again, making Northern Ireland a leading light in providing certainty and support during those difficult times.”
“I should point out that the Department very helpfully offered to provide oral explanations to accompany the written briefings, and I thank the Minister and his Department for their endeavours with the Committee. <BR /> <BR />Members felt that, although they had no policy objections, thorough scrutiny of the regulations was simply not possible. Notwithstanding that, the Committee agreed to support the motions to confirm the rules in order to avoid any delay that might generate legal uncertainty in respect of these important measures. It is on that basis that, despite those technical concerns, I indicate the Committee's support for these very welcome parental bereavement regulations. <BR /> <BR />I will now comment as DUP spokesperson on the economy.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee for the Economy considered the rules on 14 February 2024 and noted that, during the period while the Assembly did not sit, the Department had revoked and relaid the regulations after each relevant six-month period. That relaying has occurred four times, but it was necessary in order to ensure a continuity of entitlement and processes for parental bereavement leave and pay. <BR /> <BR />The Committee commented that it had had very little time to consider the regulations, which were part of a group of 20 statutory rules that appeared in our first Committee pack. Members received those packs 48 hours before the Committee meeting.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, as this is the first opportunity that I have had to speak in the Chamber under your chairmanship, I congratulate you on taking up your role. I know that your family will be rightly proud of the office that you hold. <BR /> <BR />I will speak, first, on behalf of the Committee for the Economy. These three regulations are a package of measures that provide for two weeks of parental bereavement pay and leave, which may be taken in two blocks of one week or one block of two weeks, within 56 weeks of the death or stillbirth of a child, on or after 6 April 2022. The regulations also allow employers to claim statutory payments to cover the leave period.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee for the Economy has contacted representatives of the British insurance industry to request that they come to the Committee and explain why the people of Northern Ireland are being singled out for those ridiculous price increases. It is clear that that needs to change and that the costs cannot be passed on to families who cannot afford them. I put on record the House's message that we will continue to raise those important issues on behalf of our constituents.”
“I will raise concerns on behalf of people of North Belfast and across Northern Ireland about the rising costs of home and car insurance. Like other Members, I am sure, I have been inundated in recent weeks with correspondence about renewal costs. The prices quoted for renewals show that the cost of home insurance in particular has gone up hugely in recent weeks. I was contacted at the weekend by a family in Rathcoole who were seeking to renew their home insurance and were quoted prices that had increased by 450%. The car insurance quotes, particularly for our young people who are trying to drive for the first time, are astronomical and completely unacceptable.”
“Its focus on ensuring paid leave for neonatal care is something that, I think, the whole House greatly supports. I thank the trade unions, which, across Northern Ireland, continue to engage in positive discussions to try to find a resolution to the current public-sector pay dispute. I also thank employers across Northern Ireland that continue to drive our economy forward in good practice. <BR /> <BR />I commend our amendment to the Assembly and hope that Northern Ireland can be a leading example of delivering workers' rights here as a key part of the United Kingdom market.”
“I thank Mr Allister for the question. As he says, our party recognised the difficulties with that issue. There are people for whom, given their circumstances, zero-hours contracts suit their requirements. As Mr Allister rightly points out, however, we do not want any worker to be exploited either. It is therefore about finding a balance, and that is the position that I hold. <BR /> <BR />Before Mr Allister made that point, I had wanted to put on the record my thanks to a number of organisations that have been in touch with me and, I am sure, other Members to highlight important issues for the debate. Carers NI has been to the fore in championing paid leave for carers, and its work has been vital in that regard. The TinyLife charity does tremendous work for families right across Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />To conclude, I record my thanks to a number of —.”
“Enacting regulations need to be brought forward to bolster gender-gap payment reporting and, in my view, to introduce safe leave for victims of domestic abuse. I would welcome the Minister's thoughts when she responds later today. <BR /> <BR />It is significant that, although Northern Ireland has a higher female full-time employment rate than most UK regions, our overall female employment participation rate is the lowest in all of the United Kingdom. That is why the Programme for Government and any legislative programme that the Executive agree must make childcare a policy development headline statement. <BR /> <BR />The days of "any work is good work" are now over. It is crucial that inclusion and sustainable working practices and conditions be front and centre of the Department for the Economy's future plans.”
“New employment protections have recently been enacted in Great Britain, including new legal rights for parents of children requiring neonatal care; the right to unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities; protection for workers who receive tips; and increased rights for employees. All those rights have recently been returned to the statute book in Great Britain. Those disparities between here and the rest of the UK should and must be addressed by the Assembly if we are to have an effective and fair employment relations framework in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />There are, of course, also areas in which we can drive change within the confines of what the Assembly has already legislated for.”
“Given the all-encompassing nature and clear benefits of such charters, I would welcome the Minister's views on their continuation and expansion in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I associate myself with many of the elements included in Mr Kearney's motion. To make our economy more productive and more prosperous, we have to make work more attractive. Sectors such as hospitality are desperate for workers. Although we need to do more to ensure that people are ready, we also need to ensure that they are not penalised for working. On these Benches, we wholeheartedly support ending the disparity with GB over new protections against employers withholding tips and gratuities from staff.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) has described the key pillars of what a good employment charter for Northern Ireland might look like: job and income security; pay, in that employers would commit, when they can, to paying at least the voluntary living wage and to providing an occupational sick pay scheme that goes beyond the statutory minimum; inclusive and fair recruitment practices, with equality and diversity issues integral to them; health and well-being, by which I mean the commitment of leadership to developing a culture in which employees can take ownership of their individual role in order to create a healthy and productive workplace; employers' prioritisation of flexible working, when possible; and engagement and voice, whereby employers engage positively with trade unions and ensure the involvement of employees in the decision-making process.”
“Those businesses rightly recognise that their talented staff are the heart of their organisation and that, by having motivated and healthy staff, productivity is increased. That has resulted in many good examples of business and employee practices. I am sure that, like me, when Members visit companies across their constituency, they are blown away by the passion of the staff in those organisations to grow the local economy and work together. Those practices can, of course, be strengthened by good employment charters, as referenced in our amendment. That concept was endorsed by the 10X skills strategy and was incorporated in its delivery plan.”
“I would welcome hearing the Minister's thoughts on those proposals when she responds to the debate on behalf of the Economy Minister. I associate myself with the remarks wishing her a speedy recovery. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, our amendment also seeks to recognise that good employment practices exist in Northern Ireland and that the tools are in place to strengthen those measures, as set out in the 10X Economy strategy and the skills strategy by former Ministers Diane Dodds and Gordon Lyons. I think that I speak for the whole House when I say that we are, rightly, proud of the SME sector in Northern Ireland, which makes up the vast majority of our private sector. In many cases, such family-owned, locally grown companies have the rights of their employees at the heart of their organisation and their business goals.”
“Importantly, those proposals contained a clear new right, which would come into effect from day 1 of employment for employees and mean that no minimum period of employment would be needed before the statutory payment would be available to them. <BR /> <BR />Those measures will, of course, in no way compensate for the loss and grief of a family who experience a miscarriage, but they would enable a worker to start the grieving process without the additional burden of financial concerns. Northern Ireland could be the first region of the United Kingdom and one of the first countries on the entire planet to place such protections and entitlements for workers and employees who experience a miscarriage on a statutory footing.”
“Employment law should be compassionate towards and supportive of those who face such circumstances. Working parents who experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy have a statutory entitlement to two weeks' leave and pay, thanks to the actions of the House and Members in the previous mandate. I congratulate them on that. <BR /> <BR />I believe, however, that a worker who experiences a miscarriage up to the end of 23 weeks of pregnancy should be afforded the same protections. Those views were shared by the previous Minister for the Economy, Minister Lyons, who launched a public consultation on the proposals in October 2022.”
“I am delighted to contribute to this important debate. I congratulate the Member for South Antrim on proposing a motion on this important issue, and I thank him and his party colleagues for accepting our amendment. To be clear, I make these remarks in my capacity as DUP economy spokesperson and not in my role as Chairperson of the Committee for the Economy. Our amendment seeks to improve the motion that is before the House and to cover additional areas, and it should be able to command the support of all parties. I will focus on the additional elements included in our amendment before moving on to the motion proposed by Mr Kearney. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment seeks the introduction of legislation on miscarriage leave and pay in Northern Ireland. The loss of a pregnancy is a source of profound sorrow and grief for any family.”
“Listening Ear has been a fantastic asset to the North Belfast community. I look forward to working with it over the next three years to successfully deliver even more for the people of North Belfast.”
“I congratulate an organisation that is based in my constituency for securing a funding award recently. Formed in 2018 by Brian and Karen Kerr, the Listening Ear project, based in Rathcoole, has helped hundreds if not thousands of families. Just last week, the National Lottery Community Fund awarded that organisation an additional £199,000 to enable it to continue to carry out its vital work. That work is focused on improving mental health, tackling addiction, developing our community infrastructure and empowering the next generation of community leaders. <BR /> <BR />I take the opportunity to congratulate the organisation on securing that vital funding and for the work it has done in recent years. I thank Karen, Samantha, Jacqueline, Catherine, William, all the volunteers and anyone involved with the organisation.”
“Removing the age cap on apprenticeships was a welcome step by the previous Executive. I am sure that the Minister will want to recommit his intentions to continue to have that cap lifted. <BR /> <BR />We have the opportunity to continue to build on the success of our apprenticeship sector and set our sights even higher. We have an opportunity to commit to continue to work together to build an economy that is ready for the future — an economy that delivers for every community in every corner of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I commend the motion to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion rightly recognises the intention to improve entry routes to and career progression in our health system by establishing a new nursing higher-level apprenticeship framework. However, nursing is not the only profession in which our health service would benefit from a renewed focus on apprenticeships. In other parts of the United Kingdom, occupational therapy apprenticeships have been available since 2019. They play a vital role in freeing up front-line services in the health system. I encourage the Minister for the Economy to continue to work with his colleague the Minister of Health to develop those proposals. It is now more important than ever that the House commits to working together on these issues. <BR /> <BR />All-age apprenticeships also offer opportunities to all people in all walks of life.”
“From accountancy, construction, health and beauty to IT and transport and all in between, those offer opportunities to all the people of Northern Ireland. For many young people, it is an opportunity to earn whilst gaining a recognised qualification. For others, it is an opportunity to step into a new career path. <BR /> <BR />In growing our apprenticeship offering, the Executive must ensure that it is fully included in the careers advice offered in schools, the further education sector, training and in job centres. The Committee for the Economy has been keen to work with the Committee for Education to ensure that we have a well-rounded careers advice service in Northern Ireland. Those wrap-around services will be vital to ensuring that we continue to move that forward.”
“That is the case even more so now, as the global economy pivots towards green growth and other exciting, fast-moving industries. This offering needs to keep pace with the demand for skills from people and employers. Apprenticeships have been key to our success in the past. As an Assembly, we must commit not only to increasing funding for skills but to promoting apprenticeships across all age sectors in our economy. As Chairman of the Economy Committee, I receive this clear message from investors: apprenticeships in Northern Ireland are of an exceptionally high standard, so let us commit to continue to work together and set ambitious targets that we can reach. <BR /> <BR />The wide range of sectoral opportunities continues to grow almost weekly.”
“To that end, I want to reference a few of the organisations that have helped to remove the barriers to economic opportunities in North Belfast: Impact Training; Women'sTec; Rathcoole Boxing Club; the Hubb Centre; RATH Community Group; the Ashton Centre; Newtownabbey Arts and Cultural Network; Queenspark Women's Group; and the list goes on and on. Each of them shares my vision of ensuring that everyone has an opportunity. <BR /> <BR />Our greatest economic asset is our people, and global investors rightly recognise the ambitions and skills that the people of Northern Ireland have to offer. However, we can maintain and build on that investment only if we have the pipeline of skilled workers who can adapt to an ever-changing economy.”
“<BR /> <BR />As an MLA for North Belfast — it would not be a speech if I did not mention my constituency — I made a pledge to my constituents that no one there would be left behind. I made a pledge to them that I would ensure that they would not be denied the economic opportunities that their predecessors were denied as a result of our troubled past. I made a pledge to the communities that I represent that economic exclusion would no longer be tolerated. I made it clear to them that the factories that overshadow their homes would be welcoming and open to them.”
“<BR /> <BR />During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was DUP Economy Ministers who led the apprenticeship recovery package to minimise apprenticeship loss, and it was Minister Dodds who launched a new supply chain and logistics course for higher-level apprentices at the Northern Regional College. I put on record my support for and commitment to the FE sector in Northern Ireland. I am proud to have the Newtownabbey campus, which, I know, the Minister visited recently. On occasion, we fail to recognise the importance of the FE sector. I send a clear message that it plays an important role in delivering for our communities and our economy in all sections of Northern Ireland.”
“Because of our productivity edge — a productivity edge that our people help us to secure — in that context it is impossible to overstate the importance of apprenticeships and investment in skills. <BR /> <BR />My party is extremely proud of our record in driving forward the Northern Ireland economy. The economy of 2007 is virtually unrecognisable when set against the economy of 2024, but that cannot be the limit of our ambition. We owe it to the next generation to set our aim and our gaze even higher and to deliver an even stronger economy. Central to that is the role of apprenticeships. We want to provide the conditions for more economic growth and to ensure that there is confidence in all aspects of the sector that we have the people and the skills ready to deliver.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. I know that she and her colleague Mr Brooks have eloquently articulated the need to ensure that that campus remains open. I know that they have put those comments on the record to the Minister. They make a strong case for their constituents. <BR /> <BR />The new Economy Minister has signalled, on the record, his intention to deliver key recommendations contained in the 10X strategy, and he can be assured of my party's support as we work together to achieve that. At the centre of the strategy is a clear commitment that we must focus our attention on the sectors that are best placed to add value in the global economy.”
“I would welcome the Minister outlining his commitment to build on the strength of the skills strategy that was published in 2022. <BR /> <BR />The Democratic Unionist Party has proudly spearheaded the 10X strategy, which received the backing of key business and educational leaders across Northern Ireland. We recognise it as a crucial tool in closing the skills gap and in building a workforce that will take our economy to even greater heights.”
“I thank the Minister for his attendance this afternoon, which shows his willingness to work with all Members to make that a reality. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the comments of the Economy Minister, when he outlined his economic vision to the House a few short weeks ago. One of the key ways in which the Minister outlined his vision was by stating the important role that we have in increasing the number of good jobs that are available. The skills strategy for Northern Ireland, which was published in March 2022 by the then Minister Lyons, made it clear that, if we are to make our economy 10 times stronger, 10 times more prosperous and 10 times more resilient, it will require transformation in our skills system. The skills of our people are the primary driver of our success.”
“I am delighted to propose the motion this afternoon to recognise the importance of the apprenticeship sector to the Northern Ireland economy, and to outline how all of us in the House can work together to build on that success. In light of that genuine desire to build a stronger economy by working together, I am delighted to accept the amendment that will be proposed by my Economy Committee colleague Ms Eastwood. I look forward to working with all Members across the House to make the aims of the motion a reality. <BR /> <BR />Our motion seeks to recognise the important commitments that have been made to date by the Executive but goes further by calling for the Minister to set out ambitious targets for increasing Northern Ireland's apprenticeship offering by the end of the mandate.”
“I call on the Health Minister to bring forward that bid urgently so that the House can deliver for the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.”
“I thank the families and campaigners who brought the issue to the fore, and I thank the staff in our hospices for their daily professionalism as they continue to deliver an amazing service. <BR /> <BR />Just three weeks ago, I made my maiden speech, in which I said that the test for the House would not be simply our return but our ability to deliver for the most vulnerable in our society. I think that I can speak for the whole House when I say that the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice perfectly encapsulates that. This is our opportunity for the House to prove its worth and to stand together to deliver for Northern Ireland. I trust that the petition will be the catalyst that ensures that we deliver the funding model that we all want to see.”
“I have been blown away by the support and solidarity that the people of Northern Ireland have shown in the petition. It has secured over 1,500 names in the space of just 10 days. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Finance Minister, who said in the House last week that she would welcome a bid from the Health Minister to fund the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice. I also thank the deputy First Minister for her leadership on the issue. I know that her presence today will make an important contribution as we move forward. <BR /> <BR />I can think of no cause more worthy than the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice, and I thank every person in every community and section of our country who signed the petition.”
“I rise on behalf of the people not only of North Belfast but across Northern Ireland to highlight the deep concern about the proposed reduction in the vital services at the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice. Although I am extremely proud that the Children's Hospice is in my constituency of North Belfast, its work and impact and the fondness for it are felt far beyond those confines. I know that the House and, indeed, the whole community across Northern Ireland felt deep shock at the proposed reduction in its vital services. <BR /> <BR />The petition that I launched 10 days ago afforded the public — many of whom share my concern that government currently provides only 30% of the direct costs incurred by the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice — an opportunity to express their clear rejection of the proposals.”
“Then, perhaps, at the next election, he will no longer be in the Opposition.”
“He proposes to create a new Committee, to which he will, selflessly, appoint the Chairman. He has been so ready for Opposition in the past two years that his contribution has been to congratulate the Alliance Party's policy. When the provision for Opposition was introduced in the House, we were told that it was a new age for democracy. We were told that people would be held to account. Instead, we have an attempt to use the motion to create another office that they will fill. No meaningful proposals have been put forward here. <BR /> <BR />The lesson of the past three years must be that Northern Ireland will move forward when all communities move forward together. I encourage the leader of the Opposition, when he next brings a motion, to perhaps make it relevant to the people of Northern Ireland.”
“The point that I was making to the Member is that the mandate that we were given was not simply just transferred to the DUP; we did not make up our mandate. We were given a mandate by the people of Northern Ireland to take the action that we took. I must remind the Member that it was not my party that brought about the settings and rules by which we operate currently. Her party and others in the Chamber campaigned for the Belfast Agreement, and these are its outworkings. We have managed to improve that through the St Andrews Agreement and other agreements. However, the way in which we operate is a result of the conditions set out before us. <BR /> <BR />I want to make some progress before I give way to anyone else. We have had two years with the leader of the Opposition in post and not a single policy settlement has been put forward here.”
“I agree with the Member that the politics of domination have been very damaging for relations in Northern Ireland. I agree with her that Northern Ireland only moves forward when all communities move forward together. The lesson of the past three years should be that the concerns of a major section of our society cannot be simply ignored and papered over. The only way in which we all move forward —.”
“Those are not my words but those of the leader of the SDLP, Colum Eastwood. In the words of the leader of the SDLP, we must have a power-sharing Executive. Those comments stand in stark contrast to the motion. What has changed? Is this a U-turn policy from the SDLP? Is this the leader of the Opposition auditioning for a higher role in his party? Or is it a fact that the SDLP have been placed in opposition by the people of Northern Ireland? <BR /> <BR />Of course, there is no mention in the motion, or in the contributions made by SDLP Members so far, of the collapse of the institutions that his party presided over following the Belfast Agreement. There have been no comments whatsoever, but simply criticism of the Executive — an Executive that, for the past number of years, the SDLP —.”
“I congratulate the leader of the Opposition on his appointment, and I welcome him to his place here today. <BR /> <BR />We will not be party to a stunt that uses and abuses people's emotions about a sensitive issue.”
“On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Is it in order for the Member to address her comments directly to me? I know that she was a member of the Tory party, unlike me, but will you correct the Member on whether she should address me directly with her comments?”
“Thank you to the Member for helpfully outlining her party's commitment to ensuring the reform of these institutions. Can the Member remind the House, during the collapse from 2017-2020, how many times her party recalled the Assembly to try to move it on and get it back up and running when one party was blocking its return?”
“The Department of Health has indicated that the £185,000 that was awarded last year to integrated services has been removed and that the Minister currently cannot confirm that the funding will continue. That is a matter of major concern, not just for the employees of integrated services who are based on the Shankill Road but for the hundreds of families who currently use its services or who are currently on the waiting list to get the support that they need. <BR /> <BR />The job of the House and of each elected Member is to serve the interests of the most vulnerable in our society. The communities of west Belfast, on both sides of the Shankill Road, need that vital service. I therefore call on the Minister of Health to reinstate the £185,000 funding without delay and to provide the service to my constituents and those across Belfast.”