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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,072 lines we hold for Brian Kingston, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 17 of 22.
“They are encouraging our students who go elsewhere to return. <BR /> <BR />Despite significant efforts and investment in bespoke recruitment, the trust continues to have a significant number of vacancies that remain unfilled, most of which are in critical children's community teams, as the Member indicated. Other than a small number coming through the Open University pathway this autumn, it acknowledged that there will be no significant additional supply of social workers in Northern Ireland until the next cohort of graduates in 2025. That presents a significant challenge.”
“The figures that I received were not conclusive, but the trust accepts that vacancies are an issue, with workforce pressures, including long-term absence, compounded by demand and capacity issues in the social work workforce. The trust referred to a Department of Health workforce review, which indicated the need to commission an extra 60 student social work places in Northern Ireland universities. I understand that the Department has agreed to fund an additional 40 university places for the 2024 intake to the social work degree. Out of 238 social work degree graduates in Northern Ireland in 2024, 200 have been appointed across the five healthcare trusts in Northern Ireland, and 59 are in Belfast. That includes five who studied outside Northern Ireland and Great Britain and have returned to Northern Ireland.”
“I thank Carál Ní Chuilín for bringing the matter to the House, and I thank the Minister for his attendance. I have been liaising with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust on the matter and asking questions to get a true picture of the situation. I am not here to be a spokesperson, but I will relay some of the information that it has supplied to me. It said that the trust continues to be challenged in the recruitment and retention of social workers in the main and that that is due to a deficit in supply regionally. We will all want to say how much we appreciate the challenging work that social workers undertake in many complex situations. <BR /> <BR />In the Belfast constituencies, it was not clear that there was a particular deficit of workers in North and West, compared with South and East.”
“This is excellent news, and I congratulate the Minister and his officials for securing 1,000 jobs for Northern Ireland. It is excellent not just for those who will get those jobs but, as he said, for office rental and our local economy generally. Will the Minister give us an idea of the timescale? When is recruitment for these jobs likely to commence?”
“— and that measures will be specific, measurable and time-bound.”
“Timothy Gaston was not a fan of the draft Programme for Government or the Assembly in general, but that is nothing new. <BR /> <BR />The deputy First Minister highlighted a commitment to a better future for the people of Northern Ireland, encouraged everyone to take part in the consultation. She said that the response so far had been positive —”
“She and her colleague Connie Egan said that they wanted to see a stand-alone mission for peace and reconciliation. <BR /> <BR />Claire Sugden highlighted the increasing demographic of older people in Northern Ireland and the costs to and the pressures on public services as a result of providing for that section of the population. Sinéad McLaughlin recognised that the publication of the draft Programme for Government represented progress and said that it would be judged on its delivery. She highlighted her wish to see delivery in Londonderry, though she probably said "Derry", and highlighted areas that need that delivery. Andrew McMurray highlighted the need for targets around biodiversity and water and waste water infrastructure.”
“I will comment briefly on some of the comments made in the debate. In proposing the motion, Matthew O'Toole said that he wanted to see targets, a timeline and plans. Harry Harvey highlighted some of the Executive's achievements to date and said that objectives must form the basis for delivery over the next two and a half years. Emma Sheerin said that the publication of the draft Programme for Government was a key date for the four-party Executive and that she was keen to see delivery across the Province. <BR /> <BR />Paula Bradshaw, as Chair of the Committee, reminded the public that the consultation continues until 4 November. In her capacity as an Alliance MLA, she said that the Alliance Party will support the motion and the amendment and that voters need to be able to measure progress.”
“We urge Members to support our amendment and to see the desire and willingness to work on those targets.”
“Each domain of well-being is supported by a selection of 40 indicators, and, as the deputy First Minister said, data will be updated constantly in real time. We are very supportive of real-time monitoring and of targets being introduced and the progress of the Assembly and the Executive being tested against them.”
“You can see there a call for an annual delivery report, for the monitoring of progress against the 40 statistical indicators and for work with Executive colleagues to introduce specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) targets. <BR /> <BR />The statistical indicators referred to in our amendment are those of the PFG well-being framework, which can be found on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency's (NISRA) website: datavis.nisra.co.uk. Those indicators are based on the Executive's missions: people, planet and prosperity, with peace as a cross-cutting commitment. There are 10 strategic domains of well-being: happier children; cleaner environment; equal society; healthier lives; brighter futures; stronger economy; safer communities; caring society; better homes; and living peacefully.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As my party colleague Harry Harvey said when he proposed our amendment, the publication last month of the Executive's Programme for Government was a significant milestone and set out the Executive's priorities for the mandate. As Members know, it is the first published Programme for Government since the 2011 to 2015 version. The nine priorities cut across Departments and provide a means by which the public will be able to judge progress during the Assembly term. Many additional items of legislation are being and will be advanced by Ministers during the mandate, but the nine priorities in the PFG are key matters that the Executive have committed to. <BR /> <BR />The DUP amendment:”
“I have to say that the First Minister was less than clear in her response to the Chair of the Executive Office Committee. That Committee has an important scrutiny role, and members have the ability to ask more than one question, which we are limited to here today. I will ask again: will the First Minister commit to accede to any request to return to the Executive Office Committee to answer questions on this matter in the interest of restoring public confidence in relation to safeguarding? Furthermore, will she cooperate with any investigation or inquiry launched by the Committee or any complaint investigated by the Commissioner for Standards?”
“What level of funding would the Department need to achieve its 2024-25 target for social houses?”
“Mindful of today's date, I ask how important strong political leadership is when responding to violence and racism, including antisemitism, on our streets.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Does he agree that the introduction of rent controls would have a detrimental impact on the housing market and on housing supply?”
“The work of providing a positive local environment and public realm is important. <BR /> <BR />The issue of improving people's opportunities in life and addressing child poverty and poverty generally crosses so many sectors of government, and it is one that we will all continue to work on.”
“We recognise that many companies care about corporate social responsibility. The work of voluntary and community sector groups is essential. The city council supports community development, employment agencies and leisure and exercise spaces. The Department for Infrastructure and DAERA —.”
“At lunchtime, members of the all-party group on homelessness met Grainia Long, the chief executive of the Housing Executive, highlighting the shortage of emergency accommodation and social accommodation. The number of those presenting as homeless increased by 7·3% in Belfast over the previous year alone. <BR /> <BR />Under the Executive Office, there is support through the social investment fund and Urban Villages. My time is running out, so I will briefly mention the Department of Justice's support for interface and intercommunity work, which is a particularly acute issue in North Belfast at times.The Department for the Economy recognises the importance of developing industrial land for employment purposes and working with the private sector to encourage the creation of good jobs.”
“At post-primary level, 11 schools in North Belfast participate in the area learning community, and Belfast Metropolitan College focuses on helping people to achieve their potential in life. In fairness, both Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast have a renewed focus on community outreach and improving the accessibility of higher-level education, which we will all want to work with them on. <BR /> <BR />In the Department for Communities, the neighbourhood renewal partnerships work in the most disadvantaged 10% of areas, and all of us, as North Belfast representatives, will work with our neighbourhood renewal partnerships and support the desire for a North Belfast community partnership. As was mentioned, housing is a massive issue.”
“We want to see that extended and renewed in the long term. <BR /> <BR />Many family support services are also relevant. Under the Departments of Health and Education, at a community level, social services and projects like integrated services for children and young people support families with additional challenges. There is also Sure Start, which supports those essential early years in a child's education. We recognise the dedication of staff and teachers in our nurseries and primary schools and in special needs provision, with the opening of Harberton North Special School and the units in many mainstream schools that now provide for special educational needs.”
“<BR /> <BR />Child poverty touches many levels of government, as well as the community and private sectors. When it comes to employability, the Department for Communities, as, I am sure, the Minister will mention, provides jobs and benefits offices. I visited the one on the Shankill, and I saw that its staff have genuine care for their clients. They provide one-to-one support for people who are seeking employment. Those offices are supported in the community sector by job assist centres and through the dedicated support of Belfast Works Connect, which reaches people who are deemed to be economically inactive, far from the labour market and in need of the extra support that will help them into training and employment. We all share the concerns about the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is ending at the end of the year.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, many initiatives seek to address disadvantage, reduce poverty, promote personal and community development in North Belfast and assist people to move out of poverty. As others said, it is a multifaceted issue, and it requires action from all Departments in association with the voluntary and community sector and the private sector. It is important to recognise that the circumstances in which people grow up can vary greatly. Some will be fortunate and have generally supportive circumstances, whereas others will have more challenging circumstances due to family, personal or community issues. The Assembly's overall aim should be to help everyone to achieve their potential in life and to provide extra support where it is needed to compensate for challenging circumstances.”
“We are aware of the welfare benefits issues relating to that, and we have had debates on those matters, including the two-child limit for those claiming child tax credit, universal credit and the overall benefit cap. We have had debates about whether the Assembly can mitigate and compensate for the decisions made by the Government at Westminster. However, we do not have the welfare benefits budget; that is retained at Westminster. Mitigating those benefit restrictions would cost tens of hundreds of millions of pounds, which would come from the departmental budgets for public services in Northern Ireland. Not surprisingly, no Minister is saying that they could offer such spare finance.”
“I thank Nuala McAllister for bringing the topic to the Floor. As she referenced, the Public Accounts Committee conducted an inquiry into child poverty in Northern Ireland, with the Audit Office publishing the report in March this year. The report stated that the percentage of children in Northern Ireland living in relative poverty is 18%, with 8% having lived in persistent poverty for at least three of the past four years. We note also, as was referenced, that the Cliff Edge Coalition submitted a briefing to the Public Accounts Committee that stated that the number of children in North Belfast living in poverty is 29%, which, after West Belfast, is the highest percentage in any constituency in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Without prior investment in education that reflects a young person's new rights and without ensuring that young people hear a wide range of views, 16-year-olds will not be ready to make an informed choice. The Alliance amendment to the motion acknowledges that. We still do not believe, however, that the overarching aim of votes for 16- and 17-year-olds is the right one. <BR /> <BR />In summary, our considered position is that we do not support lowering the age of enfranchisement below adulthood — the age of 18 — as is internationally recognised. Let children enjoy their childhood without their having to take on all the pressures of adulthood.”
“<BR /> <BR />Extending the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds has potential impacts on the health and well-being of those in that age group, and we should not pretend otherwise. A significant proportion of 16- and 17-year-olds still live at home and go to school. Have those advocating a change to the voting age considered the external forces that would come into play? Just imagine the online barrage of political advertising that that group would face. <BR /> <BR />There are forums and platforms that young people of any age can use to influence politics and, indeed, decisions by adults before, during and after an election. That is where our focus should be: on enabling children and young people to make their mark without rushing their development or, indeed, placing obligations on their shoulders.”
“No. I do not have the time that you had. <BR /> <BR />One serious concern is that lowering the voting age to 16 would put schools on the front line of party political campaigning. The focus in schools should be on education and broadening the mind, not on vote capturing. There would be the potential and temptation for some teachers to become election campaigners. <BR /> <BR />Some may point out that the law enables a young person to take certain decisions at the age of 16, whether it be to leave home or school or have consensual sex. Generally speaking, however, government policy does not actively promote doing those things at 16, whereas exercising the right to vote is proactively encouraged.”
“Young people mature and grow into adulthood over a number of years, but there needs to be a point at which they legally become an adult. We agree that that should be at 18 and that that should be the age of enfranchisement. There are already too many pressures on young people to grow up fast. Childhood should be respected and have certain protections from the pressures and responsibilities of adult life, which will come soon enough to those young lives. <BR /> <BR />Why have those who want to lower the age of voting below the age of adulthood picked the arbitrary age of 16? Why not 15, 14 or any other age?”
“Such activities include taking out a mortgage; serving on a jury; becoming a police officer; fighting in our armed forces; getting married without parental permission; watching certain movies or content; buying alcohol, tobacco, fireworks or a gun; and participating in gambling.”
“This is always an interesting topic, and I recognise that there are sincerely held views on different sides of the debate. However, ultimately, one has to reach a considered position, and the position of the Democratic Unionist Party is that we do not support reducing the voting age. Throughout the world, voting rights are generally reserved for adults, and 18 is the internationally recognised age of adulthood, including by the United Nations. Few in the Assembly would claim that young people are being suppressed by their not being able to perform a range of activities until they are 18.”
“Given that yesterday was the fourth day, as the First Minister said, it cannot be left as a matter for the police: elected representatives, youth workers, interface workers, residents and community workers all have a role to play in ending it.”
“When will the chair of the Ulster-Scots Agency be appointed?”
“Given the rise in poverty with the cost-of-living crisis, will the Minister commit to prioritising the anti-poverty strategy?”
“As a member of the Committee for the Executive Office, I warmly welcome today's announcement on the strategy and delivery plan. It is essential that the strategy to end violence against women and girls is not categorised as a woman's issue but is viewed as an issue for all of society. Challenging negative beliefs and attitudes towards women and girls is the responsibility of everyone. Will the Minister join me in saying that everyone in the Chamber has a role to play and that we must lead by example?”
“In particular, what plans exist for the replacement or updating of the north stand? What will be the legacy for football in Northern Ireland from the UK and Ireland hosting this prestigious tournament? <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has a growing track record of and reputation for hosting major sports tournaments, including, in football, the men's under-19 Euros this summer and, previously, the under-19 women's tournament and the Super Cup final. As a member of the Communities Committee, I am keen to engage with the IFA, the various levels of government, football fans, football clubs and all other relevant bodies to ensure that there is tangible benefit for the sport of football in our sharing of the hosting of this prestigious tournament.”
“One clear consequence of the announcement on Friday is that we can now separate the two issues of the legacy for football from the 2028 Euros and the rebuilding of Casement Park, following the 2011 agreement for the three stadia for football, rugby and Gaelic games. Both matters need their own focused attention. On the 2028 Euros, it is important that there is a renewed focus on what will be the involvement and benefit for football in Northern Ireland. If we are not to host tournament games, can we host national teams during part or all of the tournament? Can we host teams for pre-tournament training camps, including friendly games? What facilities do we need to have in place? Can the national training centre be completed in time? What are the plans for the future development and expansion of Windsor Park?”
“Among her memories was one of Jackie interrupting a family holiday to France in the 1980s, because he wanted to visit an old tower that was in a neglected condition. That, of course, was the Ulster Memorial Tower at Thiepval, which was officially opened in 1921 to commemorate the fallen of the 36th (Ulster) Division in the Battle of the Somme. Jackie established the Farset Somme Project, which successfully lobbied to have the memorial refurbished. Jackie was also instrumental in founding the Somme Association, which manages the Ulster Memorial Tower and the visitors' centre beside it. It owns Thiepval Wood as well as the Somme Museum at Conlig in County Down. <BR /> <BR />I send deepest sympathies to his wife, Glenda; their daughter, Helen, and her husband, William; Jackie's grandson, David; the entire family circle —”
“<BR /> <BR />Jackie was active in the Orange Institution, including serving as district master of Belfast No. 3 District for one year. He was also a key instigator of the Thiepval Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1916, promoting the memory of the Orange contribution at the Battle of the Somme. He was also active in the Cavehill/Oldpark branch of the Royal British Legion, assisting with and fundraising for two memorials to the three Scottish soldiers. <BR /> <BR />During my year as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 2017, I hosted the Greater Shankill BEST awards at City Hall. I was delighted that Jackie Hewitt was selected to receive the lifetime achievement award. I had the honour of presenting the award to Jackie, who attended with his wife, Glenda. <BR /> <BR />At Jackie's funeral service last month, their daughter, Helen, led the tributes.”
“Along with Jackie Redpath, he established the Greater Shankill Community Convention in 2001, bringing together the entire community after a time of division. <BR /> <BR />Jackie Hewitt was a key member of Ainsworth Community Residents Association and a local housing association. He had been manager of the Woodvale Youth Training Project and the Woodvale Action for Community Employment (ACE) project. He was also prominent in the Ireland funds, the Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA) and the support group that was established to assist the families of those killed and injured in the 1993 Shankill bomb. He was instrumental in the cross-border Farset/Inishowen and Border Counties Initiative, which included a focus on remembering those who served in the First World War, including linking with the Mayor of Drogheda, Sean Collins.”
“I rise to pay tribute to the life and work of Jackie Hewitt MBE, who made a massive contribution to community development in the greater Shankill area and beyond. When I commenced work for the Greater Shankill Community Council in 1997, Jackie was its chairman and a stalwart of the community. He was a key driver of Farset Youth and Community Development on the Springfield Road; Farset Enterprise Park; Farset urban farm; and the Farset international hostel. <BR /> <BR />It was Jackie who proposed that we establish the 'Shankill Mirror' community newspaper in 1999, which I managed for seven years. Jackie was a key board member and wrote most of the editorial columns at that time. The newspaper continues today.”
“Furthermore, given the impact of Brexit on the free movement of labour into the country, it is vital for our economy that those of our citizens who need additional support to become economically active should receive that support and encouragement for their own benefit and for the benefit of the economy. <BR /> <BR />I hope that this is an issue and a cause that all parties in the Assembly will be able to unite behind as they did at the meeting that I attended at NICVA.”
“<BR /> <BR />There was agreement among all who were in attendance at that meeting that they would lobby the new Labour Government at Westminster for an initial 12-month extension to the Shared Prosperity Fund ahead of any spending review and for long-term funding for this important work. There was debate and a range of views expressed about the need to ensure that such funding is ring-fenced, recognising that if it were just to become part of the block grant to Northern Ireland, it could be at risk of being allocated to other pressing needs. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the UK paid more into the EU than we received back, but, post-Brexit, it is essential that government funding for employability support services, which was previously delivered through those EU funding streams, is prioritised and ring-fenced.”
“Via the fund, over 680 staff across 59 voluntary and community sector organisations throughout Northern Ireland are delivering tailored support across the region to over 11,500 people — I will say that again: 11,500 people — who are considered furthest from the labour market for a range of personal circumstances, including long-term health issues or disabilities. Those people are clients who would otherwise struggle to access mainstream services and support. Through that community-level support, literally thousands of people have been helped into employment or training and education for future employment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Three weeks ago, on 21 August, I attended a meeting with community and voluntary sector representatives, held at the premises of NICVA — the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action — to discuss the funding cliff edge that is fast approaching with the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is due to come to an end in March 2025. Also in attendance were MPs from all five main parties in Northern Ireland: the DUP, the UUP, Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance. The voluntary and community sector groups represented at the meeting are all delivering employability support services. <BR /> <BR />We were told that, to date, approximately £57 million has been committed to Northern Ireland via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to address economic inactivity.”
“I welcome the motion. It rightly highlights that uncertainty over the continuation of funding for important services delivered through the voluntary and community sector, previously funded through the European regional development fund and the European social fund, is causing a crisis in respect of the continuation of those projects and the retention of staff as we approach the last six months of current replacement funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. <BR /> <BR />My party has proposed an amendment that we hope will be supported. It takes nothing away from the Sinn Féin motion, but it highlights the need for a collaborative approach between central government at Westminster and the Northern Ireland Executive to maximise the impact of such future funding in Northern Ireland according to our collective, agreed priorities.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer and for agreeing to meet the Westland Community Group. It is an active and energetic group. Indeed, it has another community fun day arranged for this Saturday, which would be an opportunity to visit. <BR /> <BR />The previous community centre was a prefab building and was itself second-hand. Since it fell into disrepair, as the deputy First Minister will be aware, the group has been campaigning day and night for a new purpose-built centre. The only thing that I would say would be to urge the deputy First Minister and First Minister to push their officials and the Urban Villages programme to move the project forward to actualisation in as short a timescale as possible.”
“I welcome the publication of the draft Programme for Government and the fact that all four parties in the Executive have signed up to it. It is important, now, that the Executive engage with the public during the consultation. We have heard some detail, but can we hear more detail on how the Executive intend to carry out that consultation?”
“It is to their credit and that of their coaches and families and those who have supported them in sports clubs, with many sacrifices made over many years. <BR /> <BR />Nine athletes and two guides from Northern Ireland participated across six sports in the Paralympic Games. Londonderry twins Chloe and Judith MacCombe completed their triathlon event, finishing sixth and eighth respectively. Last week, Deaten Registe from Dungannon finished sixth in his first Paralympic final, the SB14 100 metres breaststroke, with a personal best of 1:07:82. We congratulate them. They have made us proud this summer. We have never had this level of success, and the Assembly is united in saying, "Well done. You have done Northern Ireland proud".”
“It is an honour to congratulate all those from Northern Ireland who represented us with great success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Their success was at a level that we have never seen before. Prior to the games, just three athletes from Northern Ireland had ever won a gold medal, yet, this time, in one Olympic Games, we had four gold medal winners: Rhys McClenaghan, Hannah Scott, Jack McMillan and Daniel Wiffen. There was also a silver medal for Rebecca Shorten, and two bronze medals for Daniel Wiffen and Philip Doyle. Indeed, Hannah Scott, at the age of 25, became the first woman from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold since our golden girl, Lady Mary Peters, in 1972. The athletes' success has filled us all with great pride.”