22/10/2012 Stormont Today

Hello and welcome to Stormont Today. Coming up: it is the biggest shake-

up to benefits for decades, and today, welfare reform was back on

the agenda as the Social Development Minister announced a

unique changes to how benefits would be paid here.

These payment flexibilities will allow for different payment

arrangements where it is necessary. Not least were vulnerable customers

will find budgeting difficult. Passions became in flames during a

tense debate on the rising unemployment figures. It was one of

almost dealing with some children you can hardly be bothered to

reprimand, but nevertheless, I will go through the motions. Gareth

Gordon shares his insights into what else has been happening in the

corridors of power. The social development of Minister

was in chipper form at the House today, keen to share with his

fellow MLAs that Westminster's reform minister Lord Freud has

given him a number of commitments on have benefits can be paid in

Northern Ireland in the future. Lord Freud, after our meeting on

Tuesday past, has given me a number of commitments and those are in

writing. Mr Speaker, the housing cost element of Universal Credit,

which will therefore be paid automatically to the landlord,

rather than the claimant. There will be an arrangement for those

who choose to receive the for the Universal Credit payment and in

turn pay their landlord. In addition, the IT system function us

it will be developed to enable the computer system, where necessary,

to split their if payment between two parties in the household and

where necessary, pay two smaller payment per month, rather than the

single monthly payment. While in a majority of cases, there will be

one single monthly payment to each Universal Credit household, these

claimant -- payment flexibilities will allow for different payments

where necessary, not least were vulnerable customers will find

budgeting difficult. And with this in mind, I have task might

officials to develop and then consult the public sector the Rock

presenters and voluntary sector representatives on guidelines --

public sector representatives, on the way the Universal Credit should

respect or made on it twice monthly basis. -- should be split. This way,

we can protect the vulnerable whilst maintaining their household

monthly payment for those who do not need these bespoke measures.

Some in this house and wanted to kill this Bill under various cloaks

of convenience -- in this house wanted to kill the spill, and to

foolishly ignore the consequences. Consequences which included

depriving the many thousands of of people of the Social Fund which

they rely on when at their most formidable. Consequences which

would have deprived critical government services of �200 million

to meet the shortfall in the Budget. And also put at real risk over

1,000 existing jobs across Northern Ireland. I would say that they

actually reject much of the political content of the minister's

statement and I would go on to argue that perhaps with the recent

very long protracted debate, it is interesting that these facts have

not been pursued by the British government until after that lengthy

debate which showed universal opposition to many aspects of the

Bill itself. Certainly, our party will be very much to the 4th of

welcoming any progress that the minister will be able to announce

an particularly I am pleased that the British government have

acknowledged that track payments are a good thing. I welcome the

fact the first time that this Minister and his government has

again acknowledged that they now can concede to some of these

flexibilities, even within the context of Parliament, that the IT

system can be modified to facilitate this flexibilities.

Members were then asked to vote on a Sinn Fein motion calling for the

Newman Ireland Human Rights Commission to assess whether the

welfare reform bill is compatible with human rights -- Northern

Ireland. A proposal was rejected. Politicians are still discussing

Commons by the Attorney-General on abortion. Last week, he offered to

assist the December's justice committee should it choose to

assess the at Marie Stopes off clinic that opened in Belfast.

Speaking before he became Attorney- General, Mr Larkin had made

controversial comments in a radio interview. Gareth Gordon it with me.

For clarity's saved, what precisely it did John Larkin say four years

ago -- clarity's sake? It emerged that he had made the offer to the

justice committee last week to become involved in the Marie Stopes

issue. Then some people remembered a debate John Larkin had taken part

in on radio or stay in 2008, before he became Attorney-General, and

during the course of that he said, "If one is prepared to contemplate

the destruction of a highly disabled, unborn child in the womb,

of which will also be able to contemplate putting a bullet in the

back of the head of the child two days after it is born?". There is

political reaction both for and against John Larkin, it caused a

great deal of shock and the fall- out is continuing. Those comments

have certainly been controversial. Gerry Adams was in parliament

buildings here and he gave his reaction to what Mr Larkin had said.

Perfectly entitled to make those remarks and, as it is everybody

else under our conflicting and very diverse views on this very

important and emotive issue. I think that in all of this, that the

health committee, the Health Department, the Health Minister and

the regulations set in place of what is going to govern our way out.

That is what Gerry Adams is saying on the Jon Parkin controversy.

Gareth, how does it tally with what his Sinn Fein colleagues have been

saying? In other interviews today, Gerry Adams is making it clear that

what John Larkin said was absolutely wrong, and his party

colleague who reacted in the immediate aftermath of the 2008

remarks being re ventilated, she didn't say that he is perfectly

entitled. In fact, there are described as wholly inappropriate

and this afternoon, a statement from the vice-chair of the justice

committee said it basically cast doubt over Jon Parkin's ability to

make sure his personal opinions that interfere or had any assertion

he makes in regard to legal issues and the ongoing debate, a reference

back to what John Larkin has offered to justice committee. The

Sinn Fein spokesman says there is no difference in the Commons from

Mr Adams and any other party member and in fact, they believe that John

Larkin, what he said, was unacceptable. Had there, it's also

a Scot -- caused difficulties for the SDLP? The party leader was on

the programme with Mark Devenport on Friday evening and when he heard

what John Larkin had said on -- in 2008, he kind of defended him and

said he had made those remarks in a personal capacity and before he was

Attorney-General, but today, he has very hardened his stance -- very

much. He said the Commons were deeply upsetting and the Attorney-

General must be allowed to prove that he can act impartially on the

issue, so some political pressure coming on John Larkin. One other

issue to touch on, the minor parties and independents appear,

campaigning for better speaking rights in the Chamber. You don't

often see David McMurray, David McLarty, etc, singing from the same

hymn sheet, but they don't often find themselves on the same side of

the argument, but today, they do. They are united on one thing, that

they don't get a fair crack of the whip. They said they are not

allowed to speak of the nerve during debates. Three of them

actually held a news conference to kill -- call for it more rights for

the smaller parties and as if to illustrate the point, one told bit

about that none of them were called on that debates during unemployment

rates. -- one told me today. Do we know if that will happen, if there

will be clarity as to whether they get better rights? They would

certainly like them immediately but I'm not sure if they will get them

at all or how the issue is going to be dealt with. But they have made

their point. They certainly have. We will leave it there for now,

thank you very much. An SDLP motion expressing concern

at of rising unemployment rate was debated on the floor of December

this afternoon. The motion was the subject of an Ulster Unionist

amendment which accused BSL I of acceptance. The people who

represent this Assembly need jobs and they need them now. They cannot

wait for long-term diplomacy to get its way slowly through their

decision-making process in China. One visit has already suited the

Chinese, this party. To attract investment from countries with

established and emerging markets is welcome, but it beats better

support for our own local companies. Once tragedy that has real

potential for job creation and has been ignored, if not neglected by

the champagne the DUP programme for government -- the Sinn Fein, is the

green New Deal. It will leave fewer people in fuel poverty, cut carbon

emissions and lay the foundations of a new, competitive locale of

economy. That is the future. We don't have the fiscal levers

necessary to set out our own economic policies just quite yet.

But we do have the key powers to bring forward such creative,

innovated new programmes. After the revelation that 760 jobs were being

left that F G Wilson, the chief Executive said that if he were in

charge of the company, he would have made the same decision. He

also said he was not surprised by the move. That is not the way to

seek to build converse in our economy. That is no way to support

the workers of FG Wilson and it is totally improper it from someone in

his position. I believe this House should expressed dismay over this

particular, its and the resigned acceptance of the job losses, which

was apparent in his remarks. SDLP motion and the DUP amendment

calling for action around youth unemployed are but flawed and out

of date, but have been proposed by the SDLP and the D B, so I am not

sure what we expected -- UUP. What was described as a resigned

acceptance to the trend of jobs moving overseas is also ill judged.

We cannot ignore that for the fact is for Northern Ireland to move

forward, more so they might be able to not compete with certain areas

in terms of labour costs, we can adapt and grow a more knowledge-

based economy in Northern Ireland. Coming to the green New Deal, this

has been an opportunity missed by the Assembly. Alongside many of the

parties, we said this in our 2011 manifesto, and we are disappointed

it has not been developed in the way put forward by the proposals

suggested, and therefore there was a need for the Executive to review

these proposals and the potential that they have for creating

employment, developing critical skills and improving energy

efficiency within Northern Ireland. Whilst I do believe that there is

consensus in this Assembly that we must do much more for the economy,

I would have liked to have heard, and I think it would have been

useful if we heard, much more from speakers in terms of the demand for

Approach. Resources are spread too thin in the global market place.

Listen to people saying we need an economic strategy, a job creation

strategy it. It is already there in the programme but Government and

the economic strategy will stop it people have ideas they want to add

on, we will look at them because the Sub-Committee that looks at the

economy meet regularly. They had said from the beginning they are

happy to look at it Coulstock the men and that talks about the main

motion talks about implementing the jobs plan from the business

alliance. The business alliance were in close its co-operation with

the Executive informing the economic strategy. I don't know

where that piece comes from in the amendment and the motion. I'd do

welcome the recognition motion and the central role in this has been

growing the economy will stop I'd be reviewed the allegation that a

we display, and I used the word we, because I do work very much as part

of the team a week Alastair Hamilton, that we display put

resigned acceptance to the trend of jobs moving overseas. What nonsense

Mr Deputy Speaker. The minister does seem to beat her cheek.

Disappointed that this, disappointed at that. The tone of

her voice was almost one of dealing with some children he could not be

bothered to reprimand but will go through the motions. Basil McCrea

with a pointed message for the Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster.

And the amended motion was passed with 89 members voting - 48 voted

yes and 41 voted no. The pressing subject of helping

those without work was also the focus of questions to the

Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry. He detailed help

being given to so-called NEETS - those not in employment, education

or training. But first he addressed what's being done for those

affected by the recent job losses at FG Wilson. A officials working

with the company's appointed, represented locally to organise a

job, training and recruitment there, a beach of the three sites. These

boats commence this week. On Friday evening, though what 14 companies

listed to participate in the jobs there has with a further 28 Post

identified in the food processing sector,. I am delighted at this

response. Could I ask with the eye- level of skilled agency workers

employed at the various sites, can the Minister ensure the house of a

quality? I am happy to give the assurance about those affected by

the redundancies. We have a self interest in doing this be on our

overriding requirements as well, in that these workers are skilled,

they had a lot to offer for the future of the economy. It is

important we capture these workers in a predicted weight rather than

have them falling into unemployment. Can the minister outlined in the

House how the families are actually targeted and round the whole NEETs.

Because I do have a concern we will fall into this trap of only

Tracking areas of high deprivation? The programme we are talking about

in terms of this question is a pilot. And co-pilots week to choose

areas to stop. We are looking to deliver that through the current

leaders scheme, which is a very keenly based intervention in terms

of dealing with people who on employed. The Careers Service will

have an important role. We would like to have one to one mentoring

with people who fall into the NEETs category will stop it is important

we were in close co-operation with the Department of Education to

identify young people at risk from an early stage. We can track them

through the education system. is one of the issues I have raised

in Committee about how it is dealt with. One of the concerns I have

had his the 36,000 plus young people left school without any

GCSEs. As there been anything specifically tailored to meet that

you people's needs? As a ball, given his local interest we're

starting the roll-out of the scheme in west Belfast, so no doubt he

will take some comfort from that. We are conditions there are a lot

of you people lead school without sufficient qualifications or indeed

no qualifications. The opportunities in the labour market

for people in that situation Ossa to decline dramatically over the

next 10 years. Less than 10% of job opportunities will be considering

people of that label of education. There is a challenge in turning

that situation around. We do have the training or success programme

which offers a guaranteed training place to any 16 to 18 year-olds,

and that is outside the confines of formal apprenticeships. We would

want people to consider how they can progress through the system and

we also of the essential skills training which offers people a

little two qualification in literacy and numeracy.

The Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry. Now,

Arlene Foster, was at the Despatch Box again this afternoon when the

subject of tourism became a focus during today's questions to the

Enterprise Minister. Might give the minister and the

Northern Ireland Tourist Board for the marketing campaign, in

particular the flexibility shown with the gods to modified use of

the branding and the strap line or that campaign. Can I ask the

Minister how damaging of the scenes of street violence we saw during

the summer in Northern Ireland to the tourism product? What are the

key actions that need to be taken to secure tourism growth on the

long-term bases in Northern Ireland? I thank him for his

positive comments. The whole idea behind the branding was that it

would be something that would be taken up, not just by the tourist

board but the industry in general. I am pleased to say they very much

there forward and owns the brand, and when I was recently in than

gammon speaking to some retailers, they were indicating they felt it

helped in the town centre as well. I think it is very positive. As

well as the tourism nature of Northern Ireland 2012, we saw it as

a way of building civic pride in Northern Ireland. It is

disappointing when street violence is related right across the world

and in Northern Ireland, it tends to be related across the world. Is

there in violence that market there is violence and Birmingham on

Manchester, it does not even get that on page of the local papers.

But because it is Northern Ireland Ostend to go across the rest of the

world. It is damaging to the tourism product, but we will keep

moving on. We had begins next year which everybody is looking forward

to being as UK City of Culture in Londonderry. Can ask the minister

it she agrees the current rates airport duty is discouraging people

from coming here. As the Member knows we had a very successful

campaign team at the devolution of air passenger duty in respect of

international flights devolved and that legislation is going through

the House not. I'd think we did very well to achieve that, because

then it gives me the opportunity to look for, along with the

international airport and the city Airport, and indeed London Derry

Airport, to look for new flights to come in. I do except in relation to

domestic lights that air passenger duty remains a huge issue. I would

support a call to the Westminster Government that they really need to

look at our passenger duty in respect of the whole of the UK. We

hope they will take that on board from the industry and indeed from

politicians. As the minister had any discussions with her

counterpart in the south with a view to developing a tourism

product on a cross-border glazers, given strict ban is one of the

gateways to Donegal? I thank her for her question. I do recognise

the ban is one of the gateways to Donegal. I visited a tourism

project in straw ban, I was nearly run down by one of the cars going

to Donegal. She knows the tourism project I am recovering to us. I

know members are disappointed by the fact I still stand... But

anyway, the reality is I have had discussions just last week with the

tourism minister for the Republic of Ireland. We have not spoken

about tourism product on a cross- border basis, we were talking about

the number of tourists we need to attract from our biggest market

which of course, is Great Britain. Arlene Foster. The man tasked with

leading a review of the Department of Education's Common Funding

Scheme appeared before the Education Committee last week. Sir

Robert Salisbury, told Committee members that his review team had

heard a range of often divergent opinions from different

stakeholders, as we can hear now in our weekly look at Committee

business. Lasts six weeks we have been

meeting with anybody who can stand upright and talk about schools and

funding. We at met with something like over 50 organisations ranging

from schools, anybody who has anything at all to say about the

way education runs. We had been like giant sponges. In our face-to-

face discussions, we have been asking people what are the

strengths of occurrence has done? How is it working, is it matching

the policies the department as? Of their weaknesses? What are the

things you go back to your own homes and complain about? Where is

this is them stretched and not working well? As you can imagine,

most people had said they want more money in their particular sector.

But are less forthcoming when we say, where should the money come

from? The expectations of what schools ought to be doing, going up

all the time. The actual costs of running schools, when it before

stabbing, equipment or capital buildings, going up all the time.

Taxpayers' willingness to pay very much more education is staying

roughly the same, particularly with ageing populations. And the

availability of Government spending going down. So the gap between what

schools are likely to get and what they think the need is widening.

it not important principles retains its and controls over their

budgets? Goods and for management could not be bureaucratic in the

end and more expensive? Yes, it is a view that has come very strongly

to us from the principles. You might be surprised to know that the

counter view has come from other organisations we have met. It has

felt a bit like being in Wimbledon's sometimes. Some are

deserves a volley and it comes back and we have been watching its

sights. One of a you thought when you read some of these reports,

many of the principles in the North at spent a lot of time in managing

a budget will stop at the Budget, when you pace that, you have 10 to

15% let. What is your comments particularly in the south where

teachers are paid centrally? Would that take the pressure of the

principles? In the south, the principle would argue they had less

control over their staffing levels, but on the over and they have less

of a Budget hat-trick. There is a push for autonomy in some of the

larger schools. -- budget headache. Autonomy does not mean you have

more money, you just get more control over some of it.

A look at last week's Education Committee meeting. Gareth Gordon is

with me again. Gareth, before we go a word about an exhibition of

photographs which opens in Parliament Buildings tomorrow.

marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of Parliament buildings. As

you say, photographs and architect roarings from back in the day.

Interesting for anybody interesting in politics. I was interested in

the artist's impression about Stormont as it the original

building should have been built. It is a big unit building as it is but

there should have been two wings as well. The reason it was not like

that is because of austerity. the decision was taken not to have

those extra wings. The amount of concrete, the number of men the

worked on it, the huge quantities of Portland stone, they add up?

Barrow men's list said that 700 trees died to make Stormont a

possibility that stock there are photographs of the basements which

is 8 ft 6 deep. That is the basement we are in at the moment

and that is what some of the politicians like to keep us. It is

interesting to see the basement before the rest of the building

went up on top of it? Whatever anyone think of it, it is a

building which has made its mark on Ministry of Northern Ireland.

Anyone interested in that history should come along. There was a

group being shown around this evening its Raja Pervez Ashraf.