Brian Kingston
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“As a DUP member of the Justice Committee, I welcome the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill moving to Second Stage. As other Members have mentioned, we are currently handling three substantial Bills at Justice Committee: the Justice Bill, the amendments on which we completed voting on earlier today after seven days of debate; the Criminal…”
“We recognise, however, that the commissioner is not to be an appeal mechanism for when, for example, the outcome of a trial is considered to be unsatisfactory, such as when an unduly lenient sentence is handed down.”
“The special measures include ensuring that an alleged perpetrator is not allowed to cross-examine the victim of the alleged offence, including in sexual crime cases. <BR /> <BR />We heard comments from the Sinn Féin Member for Mid Ulster in praise of her party's support for victims' human rights.”
“We are aware that the trial process often focuses more on the defendant who is charged with an offence than it does on the victims of the alleged crime. Victims must be at the heart of the justice system, not peripheral to it.”
“We welcome the fact that, through the legislation, the post will be formally established and regulated. <BR /> <BR />The principal aim of the commissioner is to promote the interests of victims and witnesses. The commissioner is intended to have a strategic role rather than to become involved in individual cases. Indeed, clause 8 states:”
“Although the Minister notified us a week ago that he would make his statement, it was disappointing that we received the text of it less than an hour before he was scheduled to give it in the Chamber, which did not help us with scrutiny.”
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“That means that misunderstandings can easily arise, especially when using more complex concepts of grammar or less common words. <BR /> <BR />Previous government reports estimate that 5,000 of the 17,000 severely or profoundly deaf individuals in Northern Ireland use sign language, which is also widely used among their friends and families, and state that, of the 5,000 who use sign language, 3,500 use BSL and 1,500 use ISL.”
“Northern Ireland, uniquely in the British Isles, has two sign languages, BSL and ISL, but we are the only jurisdiction without sign language legislation. We will now rectify that. <BR /> <BR />Sign languages are fully functional languages in their own right, using hand shapes, movement of the hands, body language, facial expressions and lip patterns to convey meaning. They also have their own grammar, vocabulary and idioms, which are completely different from the grammatical rules of spoken language. For many sign language users, spoken or written language is a second or even third language. As with all linguistic minorities, members of the deaf community have varying levels of English. While some sign language users are bilingual in their sign language and English, many have limited literacy skills.”
“The Bill commits the Department for Communities to ensuring the availability of sign language classes. It also requires statutory services and prescribed organisations to take "all reasonable steps" to:”
“It is also used by a significant number of their family members and friends. The Bill therefore recognises:”
“As a member of the Committee for Communities, I welcome the Second Stage of the Sign Language Bill. I commend the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, for advancing the Bill, which completes the set of four Bills that, in May of last year, he committed to introducing. The introduction of a sign language Bill was also a DUP commitment in our 2022 Assembly election manifesto, so the Bill represents DUP delivery on that commitment. <BR /> <BR />The Bill gives official recognition to British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language as languages of Northern Ireland. It is important that we all recognise that those who use sign language are not signing in English or in Irish: sign language is a language in its own right. For many in the deaf community, it is their first language and their main means of communication.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and the steps that have been taken. When does he think that Northern Ireland can align with NHS England standards, where children newly added to the waiting list are operated on within four to six months?”
“Whilst we continue to campaign for funding from Westminster that matches our level of need in Northern Ireland, we must also focus on efficiency in our public services. Where are the efficiency savings being made by each Department from year to year? Are we measuring, quantifying and reporting them? What are the transformation changes that we are making now and are preparing for when we receive the necessary additional investment? Where and how are we tackling error and fraud in our public finances, as the Communities Minister set out last week regarding welfare? As guardians of the public purse, our guiding light should be efficiency and effectiveness in our public services and ensuring that every Budget is properly scrutinised so that it delivers the best value for money and positive outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“Obviously, that restricts long-term financial planning. Many community and voluntary sector groups face great uncertainty at this time of year with staff on protective notice and awaiting letters of offer of funding that are likely to be for just one year or even only part of the year. We should set ourselves the challenge of increasing financial certainty for Departments and reliant groups to enable proper planning and effectiveness of delivery.”
“This year, the Communities Minister was able to increase funding for new social homes in Northern Ireland as the year progressed from a low initial figure of just 400 up to a final figure of over 1,500 new social homes. I also acknowledge that the Communities Minister increased funding for the Supporting People programme, supporting vulnerable and homeless people through statutory and voluntary support services. As an example of the need to respond to unplanned events, the Communities Minister provided £4·8 million of resource and capital in response to storm Éowyn allocated to councils, housing associations and community services affected by the storm. <BR /> <BR />Regarding the next financial year, 2025-26, through that Supply resolution we allocate 45% of the Budget from last year, as has become the practice at this stage each year.”
“<BR /> <BR />Regarding the current financial year, 2024-25, the Supply resolution motion combines all financial allocations this year, those being the initial allocation and all subsequent allocations through monitoring rounds. That makes the point that departmental allocations have increased during the year. When comparing Budgets year to year, it is disingenuous to directly compare the end-of-year figure with the start-of-year from the next year, as some have tried to do. When comparing Budgets, we must make sure that we compare like with like. That said, it should be our goal to have greater certainty of Budgets and spending plans at the start of each year and reduce dependency on monitoring rounds.”
“I speak as a DUP member of the Committee for Communities and the Committee for the Executive Office. I take the opportunity to welcome the Finance Minister to his new post. <BR /> <BR />The three Supply resolution motions before us today relate to the finances for the last financial year, this financial year and the next financial year. For 2023-24, of the £2·78 million that we have been asked to retrospectively approve, £2·284 million is overspend by the Department for Communities due to the higher-than-expected demand for universal credit advances. As the Chair of the Committee said, that is due to the five-week waiting period for first payments. The Public Accounts Committee has recommended better forecasting models, stronger contingency planning and improved financial oversight to prevent such a shortfall in the future.”
“Does the deputy First Minister agree that Ministers across all Departments have been getting on with decision-making and have made several key decisions during her past year in office?”
“We are all, in the Assembly, guardians of the public purse. We have a responsibility to expose and end any wilful fraud of public funds. I commend the Minister for his determination on the matter to ensure that the welfare system is not abused. The Minister may have just answered the question that I wished to ask, but I will ask it anyway. Can he provide the total level of benefit fraud in Northern Ireland last year or in other recent years?”
“That follows a report recommending changing the name to something that makes its purpose clear. <BR /> <BR />As with all matters connected to welfare benefits, any further additional support must be sustainable and will require a UK-wide approach, given the role of the Department for Work and Pensions at Westminster. That is where the focus must be, and it is why our amendment seeks to place an onus on engagement with the relevant stakeholders to inform such developments at Westminster. I commend our amendment to the House.”
“There is a clear need for the Department for Work and Pensions to mitigate issues caused by the transition from legacy benefits. A working group with those in the sector and those with lived experience would be beneficial to inform the Department for Communities' engagement with the Government at Westminster. Our amendment retains the call on the Minister for Communities to establish such a dedicated working group. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment also recognises the importance of retaining practical measures to mitigate the five-week wait with the universal credit contingency fund, the provision of advance payments and the two-week run on of legacy benefits. The Department's spend on the universal credit contingency fund has increased in line with its forecast demands, and plans to change the name of the fund are being taken forward.”
“Indeed, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has advised:”
“There will be requirements on every Department to take action. The Minister is engaging with all nine Departments to ensure that they all make commitments and that there is a collective approach. It is important that funding follows so that there is not just a strategy but action. <BR /> <BR />There is a clear challenge ahead. The economic uncertainty that has resulted from the Labour Party's Budget is unsettling for many, especially those on lower incomes who fear the job losses that may come due to the impact of the National Insurance changes on businesses. <BR /> <BR />The assessment period and payment structure of universal credit are integral to the overall design of the benefit, but they are problematic. We know that people have to wait for five weeks before they receive their first payment as the benefit is paid in arrears.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has been working on the anti-poverty strategy to prevent poverty and to help people out of poverty. We know that every Member in the Assembly wants to work collectively to ensure that we support people facing poverty in Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the SDLP for proposing the motion highlighting the consequences of the universal credit five-week wait for claimant households across Northern Ireland. I propose the DUP amendment to that motion. <BR /> <BR />The challenge that poverty presents to households across Northern Ireland is huge. There is a heavy burden on many hard-working people struggling to make ends meet due to matters beyond their control. We must thank all those who work in the community and voluntary sector and do so much to help people experiencing poverty. Those groups help those who need support by not only providing the essentials but often offering a listening ear, assisting people with their financial planning and budgeting and signposting them to other help.”
“The Minister is committed to considering the Carer Poverty Commission's recommendations, and, where there is bandwidth to progress additional support, the Minister will work with Executive colleagues to that end. Most important, support needs to be sustainable for carers and for the vital work that they undertake.”
“In Northern Ireland, there are around 48,000 in receipt of carer's allowance, with payments worth £81.90 a week. A carer's allowance supplement scheme would cost around £28 million each year. It is estimated that a recognition payment would immediately lift 3,400 carers out of poverty. We will support the Alliance amendment, and we welcome all proposals to provide greater support for our carers. The reality, however, is that, on a practical level, a supplement scheme cannot be provided in the absence of additional funding from the Department of Finance, as is the case in any instance in which we break parity with the benefits system as funded by Westminster. It must be balanced against demands for Executive support for other agreed priorities.”
“Raising the weekly earnings limit further will enable carers to earn more money from paid work while retaining their entitlement to the carer's allowance benefit. However, we recognise that that does not go far enough.”
“<BR /> <BR />I often talk to people who have factored the care needs of others, particularly family members, into their career and work choices, perhaps reducing their work hours or even leaving work in order to provide that care. While carers take pressure off the public purse, they can face significant financial difficulty. Carers NI has highlighted the fact that 28% of unpaid carers in Northern Ireland currently live in poverty. The DUP Communities Minister has taken action on that, and, from April 2025, the earnings limit for carer's allowance will rise to the equivalent of 16 hours, in line with the recommendation of the review of welfare mitigations. <BR /> <BR />There is significantly more to be done. However, finance is a limiting factor.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />Carers play a vital role in our society. We recognise how challenging that role is for full-time carers and for carers who also work or are trying to gain employment. Across Northern Ireland, we have more than 220,000 people providing unpaid care for a sick or disabled family member, neighbour or friend. Carers do tremendous work caring for others. It is work that would otherwise need to be covered from the public purse. It has been calculated that unpaid carers in Northern Ireland provide care worth £5·8 billion each year. That takes huge pressure off public resources, and we need to properly support them.”
“We should record our debt to the Retired Police Officers' Association for taking the court challenge to the office of the Police Ombudsman and revealing that she has exceeded her powers in repeatedly finding the vague term "collusive behaviour" when, in fact, she found no evidence of actual collusion. Will the Justice Minister confirm, regarding the term "collusive behaviour" — whatever that means — that no such offence is defined in law, not a single prosecution or misconduct file using that term has been forwarded and no evidence exists of improper motive on the part of police officers?”
“The Minister will be aware that Spirit AeroSystems is a major employer in Northern Ireland and that there is potential interest from other companies. Will the Minister do all that she can to ensure that the entire operation here will have a viable future?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. It reiterates what we have heard previously, which is that the uncertainty over the rapid transit scheme is holding up the progress of the Clifton Street public realm scheme. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister update me on two nearby schemes: the lower Oldpark Road public realm scheme and the lower Shankill/Peter's Hill Gateway scheme? Is there any progress to be reported there?”
“In all our talk about the night-time economy, we should remember that it is not just in the city centre but in other key parts of our city, including Botanic Avenue and local pubs, clubs and venues across the city. Those entertainment venues should not be taken for granted. They all need support. They are also essential to the development of musical talent, and, when we are selling Belfast as a venue to visit or one in which to work, invest or study, the city's nightlife is a crucial consideration and selling point. We all will want for Belfast what we expect when we visit any major modern European capital city, which is that it is a thriving and safe place, day and night.”
“Numbers have picked up a bit since then, but we still have some way to go. We know that the late-night bus service boosts the night-time economy at Christmastime, so I support my colleague's proposal that that should become a year-round service, particularly at weekends. Statutory investment in that public transport will directly support the income, viability and jobs in our night-time economy, so there will be a return to the public purse.”
“That increases the customer base for our city centre economy, including at night time. <BR /> <BR />A key concern for those using the night-time economy is transport, and as my colleague Phillip Brett said, it is a key issue that we can address. Therefore, whether people use their cars, get a private lift, use a taxi or Translink's train and bus services, how they get home is always a concern. COVID resulted in a reduction in the number of taxi drivers and vehicles. We have all heard about people who cannot get a taxi at night or know a taxi driver who has stopped doing that line of work.”
“Along with the three other former Belfast Lord Mayors in the Chamber — the others have all spoken — I recognise the groups that were dedicated to making the streets safer during our time in office. I know that other elected representatives have done that as well. That work meant that Belfast city centre received purple flag accreditation in 2020 and again in 2024, which is an international award to recognise a city's commitment to a safe and vibrant night-time economy. <BR /> <BR />As others have mentioned, a significant addition to city centre living has been the growth of purpose-built student accommodation and the excellent new Ulster University campus in York Street, which has brought literally thousands of young people to live in the city centre, and a thousand more of those units are in the pipeline.”
“The night-time economy and offering of any city is a vital indicator of its economic, social and cultural wealth. Whether one partakes of the night-time economy rarely or regularly, it is a measure of a thriving and enjoyable city. It is also an important source of employment through bars, restaurants, takeaways, music venues, concert and performance venues, cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues. <BR /> <BR />Over the years, there have been many groups dedicated to keeping our streets safe at night, including Belfast Street Pastors, the SOS bus, the PSNI, Belfast City Council's safer neighbourhood officers, Belfast City Centre Management and the three business improvement districts — the Linen Quarter, Belfast One and Destination Cathedral Quarter, and, indeed, the work of our night tsar Michael Stewart.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. In his earlier answer, I think that he was referring, on the issue of resources, to the £23 million household waste recycling collaborative change programme. I looked that up on the internet: it was launched in 2019 with a three-year timescale. Is that still active? If capital expenditure arises from new guidance that is issued by the Department, will support be provided to councils for new purchases that they might require?”
“It is a complex issue, which requires work across the Departments, especially Communities, Health, Justice and Infrastructure, as we work towards increasing housing supply. The new housing supply strategy has provided a long-term framework for the actions that are required to increase supply and address the main barriers to supply here. We recognise that transforming housing supply will require not only a collective response from the Executive but real collaboration from local government, community groups, the construction industry and financial bodies. I commend our amendment to the House.”
“There is a steadily increasing gap between supply and demand, and I trust that all Members will agree that we need to increase housing supply across all areas. For that to happen, we need to see a speeding up of the planning system and ensure that the necessary infrastructure, particularly the waste water infrastructure, is in place. The housing supply strategy sets out the levels that are needed to increase supply. That includes increasing land availability and improving our knowledge of public land that may be suitable for housing. <BR /> <BR />Housing has been secured as a priority in the draft Programme for Government. We must provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing.”
“Economic challenges have been forecast to continue, with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicting that interest rates on mortgages will rise to 4·5% in 2027. Its forecast following the Labour Budget is that house prices will rise 2·5% more than predicted in its March 2024 forecast. <BR /> <BR />Housing affordability is a growing problem. That is recognised in objective 1 of the housing supply strategy, which is to:”
“Just last week, the Minister announced the removal of intimidation points. That will level the playing field in housing allocation for everyone who has suffered intimidation or the threat of violence. While others have talked about the issue, the DUP Minister has acted. <BR /> <BR />First-time buyers are under extreme pressure when trying to secure a home. Simply put, supply is not keeping up with demand. The Chartered Institute of Housing has advised that the number of new houses built here in the 2023-24 financial year was the lowest in a decade. The most recent house price index shows that average house prices in Northern Ireland have increased by 5·7% over the past year. That is impacting on the affordability of mortgages and deposits.”
“The DUP has taken action to ensure that co-ownership keeps pace with house prices, meaning that more people can find a home to suit their needs. The DUP has also helped working families by launching the intermediate rent product, whereby a long-term, low-interest loan is offered to an operator to develop a supply of affordable homes for rent at a 20% discount to the market value. Furthermore, among all the competing demands on the departmental budget, Gordon Lyons has provided a 6·4% increase in funding for the Supporting People programme in this financial year. That programme supports a range of statutory and voluntary support services for vulnerable and homeless people. <BR /> <BR />There are clear challenges facing housing in Northern Ireland. However, the DUP and our Minister have tackled those challenges head-on.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I can point to many examples of the DUP's strong record of delivery in the housing Ministry, and its actions speak louder than words. <BR /> <BR />The DUP has been supportive of the co-ownership scheme. Our Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, increased the upper value limit for qualifying properties in order to help more people into homeownership through co-ownership. Over the period 2020-21 to 2024-25, £150 million of financial transactions capital (FTC) funding has helped over 4,400 households into homeownership. During the financial year 2023-24, 91% of co-ownership purchases were made by first-time buyers. Shared ownership is a crucial part of the affordable housing market in Northern Ireland and continues to support people into homeownership.”
“Time is running out. As I said, I regard the Alliance amendment as self-interested and fanciful about ensuring the effective functioning of government here. <BR /> <BR />I say again that our focus should be on delivering on bread-and-butter issues and improving the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland. That is what the electorate expects, and it is what the DUP is committed to achieving.”
“In what executive branch in the world would political leaders be expected to give a cast-iron commitment to never having personal or political cause to consider their position in government? That is entirely impractical. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party's grand plan for reform is simply to exclude and reduce representation from one tradition, even in circumstances in which the most significant concerns are raised by one of the two main traditions.”
“As I said, if the Member thinks that it is an important vehicle, it is surprising that his motion does not mention it. <BR /> <BR />When appropriate for the purposes of framing any potential changes to the 1998 Act, there should, of course, be consultation with the Government and other relevant stakeholders. Let us be clear, however: the Irish Government must not have a role in directing or influencing reforms of the strand one institutions, nor should they be afforded a say in the governance of Northern Ireland as a result of any such changes. That would be a direct violation of previous agreements. <BR /> <BR />Any review should not be bit part, which is to say that it should not be focused only on strand two or discrete elements of the operation of strand one, such as, in this case, ministerial appointments, to suit individual parties.”
“That is what the electorate expects, and it is what the DUP is committed to achieving. <BR /> <BR />Any programme of reform and any agreement should be led by the local parties, with a primary role for the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, and be fully accountable to the Executive and the Assembly. Where is the reference to the AERC in the motion?”
“The DUP has reiterated the need for a period of restoration and prolonged political stability prior to the advancement or agreement of any proposals for reforming the political institutions. That is not to say that we are opposed to improving how devolution works from day to day; as has been the case since 2007, we are committed to increasing efficiency, transparency and accountability in the institutions. The DUP supported the reduction in the number of Departments, the reduction in the number of special advisers, the reduction in the number of MLAs per constituency and the creation of an Opposition. In the here and now, however, let us be clear: the focus should be on delivering on bread-and-butter issues and improving the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I commend the Minister for his welcome announcement. He has already highlighted the diversity in the controlled schools sector. Many schools in the sector are actively involved in shared education initiatives with other schools, including schools from other sectors. Will the Minister confirm that shared education and good relations remain a priority for him in the establishment of a new managing authority for the controlled sector?”
“I thank the Minister for his welcome statement about being fair to all victims of violence. How can he ensure, as part of the ongoing review, that the primary social needs criteria and points are appropriate and fair to all?”
“I am glad to hear from the deputy First Minister that the important topic of reform of our public services was raised at the summit meeting. What commitment can the deputy First Minister give that reform and transformation remain key priorities for our Executive?”
“it is vital that the new strategy go out for public consultation and people have their say. That is the purpose of our amendment. A strategy could be quickly developed and published, but what would the outcome be, if we did not take the time to learn from the past? How would that serve the people whom we are here to represent? The report laid bare the fact that we must focus on tangible delivery. We, as an Assembly, cannot have strategies and schemes that are simply words on a page; real progress must be made. <BR /> <BR />I commend the amendment to the Assembly.”
“The Communities Minister has been working alongside a range of stakeholders, experts and service providers on the development of an overarching anti-poverty strategy to address the risks and impacts of poverty, including child poverty. Given the criticism that:”
“Almost one in four children now lives in relative poverty. Around 9% of children in Northern Ireland live in low-income households that cannot afford basic goods and essential activities. There is a clear challenge ahead. The economic uncertainty coming from the Labour Budget is unsettling for many, especially those on lower incomes, with fear of job losses to come due to the impact of National Insurance changes on business. <BR /> <BR />There are many aspects to poverty, including housing, health and education. It is really important to help people to get into work. That is one of the greatest barriers that people face to getting out of poverty. The Labour Party's policies will not help to grow the economy or alleviate poverty.”