Michelle Guy
Lagan Valley · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“It can be seen from those quotes that the issue impacts on girls in a real and practical way. If they feel too uncomfortable to be in school, it is impacting on their access to education. If they hold back in PE or while playing at break or lunch, what does that say to them about how we value exercise and sport?”
“Essentially, he was saying that we had to draw the line somewhere, and the automatic right of girls to be allowed to wear trousers is where that line has been drawn. <BR /> <BR />Some will play down the issue and say that it is relevant in only a small number of schools.”
“When I explain what the legislation would do, the reaction from people is almost always the same. They ask, "Are you seriously saying that, in 2026, girls can't wear trousers in school?". The answer is that they do not have that right.”
“The Assembly should support the Bill. I again ask the Minister to save us time by simply updating the statutory uniform guidelines. I find the DUP position of enabling the Bill to progress to Committee Stage while its Minister is against it to be quite bizarre.”
“<BR /> <BR />I question why that basic request from girls and young women is being denied or is deemed to be unimportant. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that some people — mainly men — still want to control what women wear.”
“I take the Member's point. Ultimately, however, the person who could make the change is the Minister, and he has decided not to. Saying that schools have a choice or that they have autonomy does not absolve the Minister from his ultimately having responsibility to be able to make that change.”
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“It is about enhancing areas of the curriculum, including literacy, numeracy and STEM, by moving beyond the structured learning environment of the traditional classroom. It is an area that should have cross-departmental support. We know, however, that there are significant barriers for those who are trying to embrace more outdoor learning. Some schools have limited outdoor space or equipment and resources. So, too, do many wider communities. School staff and leadership need further support with training and guidance. There are also significant time pressures on staff. <BR /> <BR />The benefits and challenges have been recognised by the Department and the Minister, and we know that the Minister has provided some capital for outdoor equipment. Some schools have, however, had issues with the conditions that have been placed on that funding.”
“Outdoor education supports that. The Independent Autism Reviewer, for example, provided a briefing for the Committee on the experience of autistic children with outdoor education. In that briefing, she highlighted the experience of Dara McAnulty, an award-winning naturalist and author. He spoke about liking school and desperately wanting to learn, but he found classrooms to be claustrophobic and distressing. The outdoors was where he could find peace and where his mind could focus. As we know, when environments are adapted to make them more accessible for one group, they often tend to become better for everyone. <BR /> <BR />Outdoor education is not a novelty. It is a serious policy solution that could have major educational, health and societal benefits.”
“Outdoor education is proven to improve the physical and mental health of our children. <BR /> <BR />We are also concerned about loneliness, social isolation and too much time being spent online. Outdoor education and instilling a love of the outdoors and physical activity from a young age improve children's social skills, build confidence and the ability to take risks and embed a love of nature and the outdoors that can last a lifetime. <BR /> <BR />We also have major issues with attendance, which is a complicated issue, with individual circumstances behind each young person's not making it into school. Again, we have heard evidence of how outdoor learning improves young people's attendance rates. <BR /> <BR />We also worry about some of our children being dysregulated in the classroom, or unable to learn due to their emotional state.”
“Outdoor education is important, and I am pleased that we, as the Education Committee, have come together to support it. There are many challenges facing our education system, and there are many things that we worry about when it comes to our kids. However, outdoor education can help to meet those challenges in a strategic way. What things make us worry? The first is the physical and mental well-being of children and young people. Growing levels of mental health issues and reported levels of physical activity are really concerning, with only 21% of primary-school pupils and 16% of post-primary pupils meeting the recommended 60 minutes of activity a day. There is concern about how that will impact on our economy, society and health service in the long term.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What exactly have you done to put pressure on Westminster to provide the support that we need for those organisations?”
“Thank you for that answer, Minister. What role will communications and education play?”
“We need to ensure that all initial teacher-training education programmes include evidence-based content on addressing bullying in schools and that such content becomes a mandatory part of any future core content framework that is proposed through the TransformED Northern Ireland programme. <BR /> <BR />I ask children and young people who are facing bullying please to speak up. I ask their friends who witness bullying please to speak up. I ask teachers, youth workers, parents and families, when children are reporting bullying, please to take them seriously. My message to the Education Minister is that more can and needs to be done to support our schools to deal with bullying. I am up for working together to do that.”
“The Department needs to centralise and report, at a system level, the data that is being captured through bullying concern assessment forms in order to analyse trends and then respond with interventions. What good is capturing data if we are not going to do anything with it? We need investment in high-quality research in order to provide an accurate baseline assessment of the nature and extent of bullying in our schools. We need to ensure that schools have a dedicated and trained anti-bullying lead and that they have adequate protected time to dedicate to that important role.”
“I know from talking to experts that if we focus on embedding best practice in preventative work and on taking swift, decisive action when bullying incidents occur, we can really make a difference to young people's lives. Children and young people will look to see what action is taken if they are facing bullying. They will look to see whether there are signals that people are there to help them or whether they are on their own. Many schools are leading the way on that, but the Minister of Education and the Department can and should do more. They should use the theme "Power for Good" and act. <BR /> <BR />We need an evaluation of the implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 since its commencement in 2021.”
“This week is Anti-Bullying Week, and its theme is "Power for Good". That is a challenge to us to act, so do not be a bystander in the face of bullying. Be the hero. Be the person who acts. I cannot stress enough the impact that the small act of kindness of reaching out to someone who feels isolated, hurt or damaged by bullying behaviours can have. Parents and teachers need to nurture that in our children, but they should also be an example to them. Those who are in leadership roles in particular have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Our schools should be inclusive and welcoming to all children, whose uniqueness should be celebrated. <BR /> <BR />It may be hard to end bullying completely, because it is a complex area. Equally, however, we should not simply accept that it happens.”
“<BR /> <BR />Continued institutional instability stifles this place. It holds us back and causes people to lose faith in our institutions and in us as elected representatives. From listening to everybody today, I look forward to seeing the momentum that will come forward from the AER Committee. We are going to deliver some serious stuff, by the sounds of it, and I tell you what, I am definitely up for it.”
“I hope that we commit to a citizens' assembly. I am really glad that Sinéad signalled an openness to engage on that so that we can drive forward work through the Committee. However, that work in no way stops the call for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to bring forward proposals for Executive and Assembly reform. We all know that reform will only take place if Sinn Féin and the DUP agree to it, so it makes perfect sense for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to put forward proposals that they support, and that could be considered as part of the work of the AERC review. In fact, it would add to the work of the Committee and give it real momentum. It also offers us a real opportunity to show people that we can come together to deliver in their interests.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. There is implicit and explicit, and that is an explicit line showing support for overcoming the challenges through institutional reform. I am sure that the Member will understand that, as a party that has really pushed the idea of reform, its omission is something that we cannot support. It is fair that our party has taken that stance in the context of our driving passion for reform. <BR /> <BR />As I said, I sit on the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, so I know the work that is being done there. We will continue to do what we can through that Committee, and I hope that we can get to a point at which there is a shared vision on the Committee of what can be achieved.”
“I am not sure, on the basis of what Sinn Féin Members have said, that that was intended, but it is pretty critical to the conversation that we are having. It raises a concern for us, and I cannot stand by an amendment that removes the crucial words that we will support: "institutional reform".”
“Some have suggested that focusing on Assembly and Executive reform is a distraction from the day-to-day work of this place, but that, of course, is not true. My vision for reform is one of ensuring that the day-to-day work of this place is more effective than it is today. <BR /> <BR />The key reason that we do not support the Sinn Féin amendment is that it removes a crucial line from the motion that states:”
“Make no mistake: it has been a conscious choice so far not to reform the institutions. <BR /> <BR />I am encouraged to hear the Sinn Féin statements today that it is up for reform. The DUP has also stated a commitment to engage seriously in the work of the AERC, but it is worth noting that it has voted against every proposal on reform so far on that Committee. It is obvious that refusal to act undermines further the trust in this place and in its ability to operate. Evidence on public opinion shows us that there is appetite for reform. That is not surprising, yet we are not meeting that desire for change. <BR /> <BR />I do not pretend that reform will be easy. It will take courage. Continuing to do nothing cannot be the answer, however.”
“I thank the Member who tabled the motion, which we support. As the motion of no confidence debate evidenced today, the accountability mechanisms in this place are ineffective and allow Ministers to avoid democratic accountability. The current political balance of the Assembly means that mechanisms intended to act as minority safeguards now create an inequality that disenfranchises those of us who do not designate as "Unionist" or "Nationalist". I sit on the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, so I will speak to the Sinn Féin amendment. <BR /> <BR />AERC has heard some brilliant evidence on the need for reform of Assembly and Executive structures and on how those reforms could be brought about, but there is not enough conversation about what happens if we continue to choose not to reform this place.”
“To be honest, I am only asking you to give way because I am going to speak to this, so, if you do not mind waiting until my contribution, I will explain in full detail why we will not support the amendment.”
“In light of what you have said, would you signal your support for a citizens' assembly-style of civic engagement that would allow people to come together in a representative way to bottom out some of those issues?”
“Minister, I am aware of an EOTAS centre servicing children in Lagan Valley that found out about the suspension of referrals only when the EA issued its press release. There had been no direct communication with it. Nine children from our constituency are now facing uncertainty. Minister, can you tell us what the changes to EOTAS referrals mean for those children with social, behavioural and emotional well-being issues who require that type of provision?”
“The Minister is well aware of the funding challenges facing our justice system. In particular, the PSNI data breach was clearly unforeseen, unavoidable and unaffordable. What representations has he made to the Treasury to make that funding available?”
“Those are practical steps that do not necessarily require funding, simply a focus on delivery. <BR /> <BR />A focus on delivery must be at the heart of the strategy. Early learning and childcare have been neglected for far too long. Transforming the system will not only change children's lives but strengthen our education, health and justice systems, boost our economy and build a fairer society. Let us therefore not allow this strategy to become another strategy that is announced, debated and then quietly shelved. Let us get it right for our early educators, for our parents and, most importantly, for our children.”
“That investment, which is key to setting up young people for the rest of their lives, starts before the child is born. A significant part of that involves focusing more on what advice and support is available to parents and carers. Parenting is a difficult role that is made more difficult given the financial strains that are caused by the cost of living, including childcare, and the erosion of funding that is available to the community and voluntary sector. We must defend the public and community organisations that support our parents. 'A Fair Start' showed the need to reorient our systems towards early years. Many of its actions, including better data sharing between the Department of Health and the Department of Education, still have not been completed.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will also speak specifically about the early learning aspect of the strategy, which is where joined-up working with the Department of Health needs to improve. Lucy Crehan, who recently undertook a review of the curriculum, heard early learning professionals express serious concerns about early child development. She described the issue as a "ticking time bomb". <BR /> <BR />We know that investing in early years has the biggest return on investment, be it investment in tackling educational underachievement or investment in special educational needs. As Lucy said in her report:”
“appears from recent Assembly questions for written answer to the Minister for the Economy to have morphed into an advisory service. That will worry providers. Clarity on that is needed in the strategy. <BR /> <BR />We also know that families of children with special educational needs and disabilities face some of the greatest struggles. They find it incredibly difficult to access adequate childcare, and the same barriers follow those children into school. A strategy that is a decade in the making must deal with that complexity, not sidestep it. Let us also remember that publishing a strategy is not the achievement. Rather, delivery is. The real measure will be the difference that it makes to homes and early years settings across Northern Ireland.”
“Let me be clear about those interdependencies. Subsidising fees helps, but if fees outstrip the subsidy, it does not work. Many families say that that is happening now. A discounted place means nothing to a family who cannot find a provider in their area. Providers cannot expand provision unless they can cover costs and retain qualified staff. <BR /> <BR />A long-awaited business support scheme, which was announced as a scheme:”
“There has been progress, driven by years of advocacy from organisations and the sheer desperation of parents. However, we are still far from where we need to be. There has been some welcome support on affordability through the Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme, which provided a fast injection of financial support for some families. As the Minister has acknowledged, however, it does not support those who are on universal credit, who, although they can avail themselves of support, can do so only in arrears. The scheme also does not support those who are studying or who are made redundant. In short, too many people are still being left behind. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has described the upcoming strategy as "ambitious but realistic". I hope that that realism reflects the delicate ecosystem on which the sector depends.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Once again, we are discussing childcare and early learning in the Chamber. It is a reflection of how important the issue is for families. Families and children do not care how many times we talk about something; they care about what actually changes. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has committed to deliver the long-awaited draft strategy to the Executive within weeks and confirmed that it will go out to consultation, which I welcome. Our amendment seeks to widen the scope of the motion and capture a number of key aspects of the strategy, especially the need for cross-departmental commitment to actions. <BR /> <BR />When it comes, the strategy must mark a step change in how the Government act on early learning and childcare.”
“Decide, Minister, and be straight with those women. A statutory public inquiry is not only justified but essential.”
“The Ladies with Letters are an inspiration not only in how they have campaigned but in how they have supported one another. They have been let down not only by the failures in the system but by the lack of urgency since. They have no confidence that the reports that will be published this week will give them the answers that they need. Confidence in the screening programme is fragile. Women must feel that they can trust the system. That trust can be rebuilt only through honesty, accountability and transparency, not through departmental reviews behind closed doors. <BR /> <BR />Minister, nothing you can do now can undo what has happened, but you can choose truth over defensiveness and transparency over secrecy. Delay in itself is a decision, one that deepens the pain and prolongs injustice.”
“Heather Thompson, from the Ladies with Letters campaign, said:”
“Sandra Courtney's daughter, Lynsey, died in 2018, aged only 30, after a misread smear test. Sandra asked me to read this out on her behalf:”
“They were not abstract mistakes; they were avoidable, life-altering errors that denied women the opportunity for early detection and treatment. Leona Patterson had three misread smear tests before she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at just 42. She told me:”
“I did not realise at that time that I would have the opportunity to stand here as an MLA and advocate for those women. That is what I want to do today. I want to give voice to their pain, their anger and their ongoing determination to get truth and accountability. I want us to remember what we are talking about: 17,500 women had their smear test reviewed due to failings that stretched back over 13 years. Two women have died, and five children have lost their mother. They were not abstract mistakes.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. First, I pay tribute to the women at the heart of the scandal. Members from across the House have offered their support to the women who were impacted, some catastrophically, by the failures of the Southern Trust. It is right to start by acknowledging that. I also thank the DUP for its amendment. It adds to our original motion and reminds us that there are still some frailties in the system and that we need to get those answers to restore confidence. <BR /> <BR />When I was co-opted to the Assembly, I got a message from my colleague Sorcha Eastwood telling me to check in with the Ladies with Letters campaign. Sorcha did not realise at the time that, when the news of the scandal broke, I was recovering from surgery for cervical cancer. Apologies, I did not expect to lose my composure.”
“Minister, I agree with your comments about 7 October. What happened was abhorrent and unjustifiable. However, you walked into this controversy with your eyes wide open. You understood how provocative and hurtful it would be for people to see our Minister of Education standing and smiling in an occupied territory, when, just miles away, Gaza lies in ruins, with schools having been destroyed and children killed in an act of genocide that has been sanctioned by the very Government who paid for your trip. Minister, you understand the difference between acting as an individual and acting as the Education Minister. In that context, is it not absolutely reasonable that people are asking whether you are suitable to be our Education Minister?”
“Three fabulous councillors represent our party in Castlereagh South: Marty McKeever, Jamie Harpur and Bronagh Magee. They are dedicated representatives, and if anyone wants to know the secret of our success in the area, I can tell them that it is hard work. Those guys are continuing that hard work. I hope that the Minister listens — really listens — to some of the stuff that has been said today, because that community deserves the investment that people are asking for. As I think I heard Matthew say, it is a community that pays its rates and contributes to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, but it has always felt a little bit on the edge of everything and it deserves to be supported. I thank everybody who spoke up for the community today. I hope that the Minister can give them some good news.”
“Thank you so much for your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker. I had not intended to speak, but I was passing the Chamber. I lived in and represented Castlereagh South for many years. It is something of a heartland for me, and it is where I cut my teeth in politics and public representation. I echo everything that my colleague said about the community and its strengths. It is a wonderful place to raise kids, but there are challenges, and there always have been. I am sure that the need for infrastructure to keep up with development is what has been highlighted. We have talked about public transport, safety around schools and greenway paths. All those things are absolutely necessary. <BR /> <BR />I only want to touch on one thing, so that I do not keep you very long. I pay tribute to the people who took over from me.”
“Thank you. I agree entirely with the Member. We cannot pretend that if you are going to tackle poverty, you do not need money and investment. Families and organisations are telling us that, and we have to acknowledge that that is a fact. <BR /> <BR />In that context, where we need money if we are going to address those systemic issues, the urgency to integrate our society and public services and move away from the division and dysfunction that holds this place back becomes even more acute and necessary. We are up for that. I am not convinced that everybody else shares that conviction.”
“We need money if we are to address those systemic issues.”
“That means real action on the cost of school uniforms and other costs. <BR /> <BR />I want to pick up on yesterday's debate on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill and the missed opportunity that the Bill represents. Most interventions to tackle poverty require investment, but that Bill could have delivered real certainty on affordability without costing the Department anything. We still wait to see the guidance, but, from what was said yesterday, it looks as though the Minister of Education is going to outsource responsibility for ensuring affordable uniforms to schools. <BR /> <BR />I do not doubt anyone in the Chamber when they say that they want to reduce and end child poverty. The question is whether Ministers have the commitment to focus on the interventions that will make a real difference.”
“However, that support needs to be expanded, and that can only happen in a reformed health system. <BR /> <BR />Educational underachievement cannot be tackled through curriculum and assessment changes alone. School leaders will tell you that we need to focus on pastoral support and whole-community approaches. We need children who feel safe and secure inside and outside school. We need children who are not going hungry while trying to focus, which is one reason why the Alliance Party supports the expansion of free school meals. We need children who feel that they are getting the right support, whether from counsellors or speech and language therapists, and we need to reduce and remove the financial barriers that face families who are trying to access an education for their children.”
“That entrenched link between educational disadvantage and economic circumstance has long been considered. We have the brilliant 'A Fair Start' report, which produced that rarest of things in Northern Ireland by way of a costed action plan, and the independent review of education, so we are not seeking policy answers. The experts have told us time and again what we need to focus on. So, too, have those with lived experience of poverty. For example, we know that educational attainment interventions start before a child is even born, ensuring that health support is there for women and families. Great work is going on in communities to ensure that, such as in my constituency, where Atlas Women's Centre and Resurgam Trust's healthy living centre wrap support around mums and families.”
“I want to focus on child poverty and education because, as the independent review of education highlighted, education can be the route through which people break out of the cycle of poverty and because of the impact that poverty has on a child's education. The Northern Ireland Audit Office report 'Child Poverty in Northern Ireland' states:”
“We have a system where the cost of full-time childcare makes it impossible for many parents to work full-time hours or access training and education. That impacts disproportionately on women, many of whom will give up on opportunities to change jobs, increase hours, take on training opportunities or start businesses simply because they cannot afford to do so. I fully acknowledge that the Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme is in place, but we need to think bigger than that and deliver a completely new system through the early learning and childcare strategy.”
“The tone of the debate so far has been as it should be: muted and respectful. I think that, fundamentally, we are all quite ashamed that we have to have a debate on child poverty. Of course, child poverty does not exist in isolation from wider poverty levels. It is a deep-rooted and complex issue that requires a whole-government approach, hence the need to deliver a focused and impactful anti-poverty strategy. <BR /> <BR />Let us take, for example, the crucial aspect of affordable and quality childcare.”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, if the guidelines are good and adequately address the issues that I have raised, I will say that they are good. I want uniforms to be more affordable. I want uniform prices to be fair and to promote equality. What is good about the legislation in some ways is the fact that families will either feel its impact, or they will not. Those who have to pay excessive prices will be able to tell us directly whether prices have come down. Those girls who are being told that they cannot wear trousers will either be able to do so after the legislation is enacted, or they will not. Ultimately, it does not matter what I say here. The judge will be families in Northern Ireland. I genuinely hope that the Bill does not let them down.”
“I thank my colleague for that intervention. I agree entirely. We encourage young people to come, and we assure them that their voices will be heard in policymaking and legislation. Completely disregarding their time and their evidence is hugely disappointing, and it absolutely is a worry that they will just give up, because they will assume that we are just paying lip service to their contributions. Those contributions should be heard and taken seriously. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the clear evidence that the Education Committee heard encourages the Minister to take action on that. Of course, we heard about the urgent need to address costs and their drivers, most notably branded items, excessive PE kits and single-supplier agreements. I am glad that there is some provision in the Bill to tackle the latter.”
“For the last debate on this, I chose to wear trousers. Today, I have chosen to wear a skirt. The point is that I had a choice. The Bill shies away from giving girls and women the same choice when it comes to school uniforms. I hope that the clear evidence that we heard at the Education Committee from young people and others will give the Minister the impetus to ensure that his guidelines provide that schools must consider menstruation needs and the impact on access to education and physical activity, because, in 2025 —.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I agree with much of what he said. I am not going to speculate on what may or may not have been the reason. I can look at the evidence, however, and, as I outlined, the evidence is that the work was not done. Draft guidelines did not come before us because the preparation and work were not done to deliver something that would have been meaningful. It was not put in front of us. I appreciate that one can speculate that the guidelines will perhaps be a disappointment to us, but we will wait and reserve our judgement until we see them. I entirely agree with the points that the Member made about equality. <BR /> <BR />We heard directly from young people and those with additional needs who should have accommodations made. We heard from young girls who wanted to have the option to wear trousers.”