Forward Look
The NI Assembly and UK Parliament is in recess next week and business will return on Monday 2 November.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has announced a Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme which will support businesses affected by the latest restrictions and those in the wider supply chain. She is also developing a scheme to further support the hospitality and tourism sector and the newly self-employed.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA is expected to bring forward a scheme in the coming week which will support those in the bus and coach, taxi and haulage industries.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has announced changes to the Job Support Scheme which takes effect from 1 November. Employers will pay less, staff can work fewer hours before they qualify and the taxpayer subsidy has been doubled.
The Chancellor will also set out a one-year spending plan later this month after cancelling plans for a three-year Comprehensive Spending Review. Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA expressed disappointment at this which he says will make it difficult to plan and manage public spending.
The October Monitoring Round has been delayed until next week to allow Executive Departments to revise their positions in respect of required Covid-19 funding.
First Minister Arlene Foster MLA and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA have both said that a new strategy to co-exist with Covid-19 is required as continuous lockdowns are not viable. It follows criticism from the business community of the data which led to the latest restrictions.
Stormont’s Public Accounts Committee has published 16 recommendations to overhaul the management of major capital projects in NI after a £700m overspend on 11 key schemes, including making the new head of the civil service publicly accountable.
During an online address, Taoiseach Micheál Martin launched a "Shared Island Dialogue" series, aimed at establishing "inclusive" conversations on the island about a shared future - starting next month. He also said that the Irish Government would be working closely with the NI Executive to progress key projects such as the A5 and Narrow Water Bridge.
Intensive talks between the UK and the European Commission to agree a Brexit deal have restarted.
The Second Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill which will modernise liquor licensing legislation in NI will take place on Tuesday 3 November.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has established a Planning Engagement Partnership which will look at how to enhance the quality and depth of community engagement in the planning process. It is anticipated that the Partnership will run for six to nine months and prepare a final report, including a series of key recommendations for improvement.
Health Minister Robin Swann MLA and Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA have launched a public consultation on proposals for a new joint Care and Justice Campus for children and young people in Northern Ireland. The Consultation will run until 15 January 2021.
Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA is to strengthen existing laws to provide greater protection for children from sexual exploitation, and to introduce a specific offence banning upskirting following the Review of the Law on Child Sexual Exploitation.
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan is to launch a Private Members’ Bill seeking to ban zero hours contracts in NI. To complete the consultation, click here.
Green Party leader, Clare Bailey MLA has submitted a new Climate Change Bill which is co-sponsored by Sinn Féin, SDLP, UUP, Alliance and Independent MLAs in the Assembly. The draft legislation has been drawn together by a coalition of legal professionals, scientists, academics, and environmental organisations.
Other Stories this week
The Republic of Ireland moved to level 5 restrictions for a period of six weeks from Wednesday night. Schools and construction will remain open but non-essential retail has been forced to close while bars and restaurants will only be able to provide a takeaway service.
UUP MLA John Stewart tested positive for Covid-19. Meanwhile, Health Minister Robin Swann MLA, Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA, Pam Cameron MLA, Andy Allen MLA and Trevor Lunn MLA will self-isolate for 14 days.
The Food and Drink Federation has said new checks and controls on GB-NI trade must be mitigated warning that food manufacturers may stop selling some products in Northern Ireland as a result of the new Irish Sea border.
Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA announced the opening of a £3 million funding scheme for individual artists as part of a £29 million funding package for the Arts sector.
The Public Health Agency announced that there would be a pause on giving the flu vaccine to people under 65 in Northern Ireland until more stock is received next month.
Bumper Graham, former Deputy General Secretary of NIPSA has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pension Board for a period of three years.
Upcoming key political and business events
4 November, Business briefing with Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, NI Chamber of Commerce
5 November, Voices of Leadership, Women in Business
10 – 11 November, Digital DNA 2020, Digital DNA
11 November, In Camera with Department for Health, NI Chamber of Commerce
27 November, An audience with Northern Ireland’s Political Leaders – One Year On CBI Northern Ireland
Consultations
Trade Union Freedom Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Zero Hours Contracts Bill Consultation Sinn Féin. Deadline TBC.
The Next Generations: Inter-generational and Youth Policy in Northern Ireland’s New Century DUP. 2 November.
Online Political Transparency The Cabinet Office. Deadline 4 November.
Future Infrastructure Investment and Delivery in Northern Ireland DUP. Deadline 7 November.
New SEN Regulations Department of Education. Deadline 22 December.
Public Realm Project Department for Communities. Deadline 22 December.
Establishment of a Regional Care and Justice Campus Departments of Health and Justice. Deadline 15 January 2021.