Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 2 November 2020

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Forward Look

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced additional funding worth £790 million for Executive Departments as part of Covid-19 and October monitoring round allocations. Of this package, £560 million has been allocated to the Department of Health.

  • The Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has announced that he will deliver the 2020 Spending Review on 25 November which will set out spending plans for the next year.

  • Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU will continue next week in Brussels until Wednesday 4 November. Progress is said to have been made in a number of areas with a joint document on state aid expected to be finalised next week. However, substantial disagreement remains over the level playing field, enforcement and fisheries.

  • The Budget (No. 3) Bill is scheduled to have its Consideration Stage in the Assembly when it returns on Monday 2 November. The Second Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill which will modernise liquor licensing legislation in NI will also take place on Tuesday 3 November.

  • The Department of Education has begun the recruitment process for a new Permanent Secretary. The deadline for applications is Friday 13 November.

  • The Northern Ireland Office is currently recruiting for a new Head of Business Engagement.

  • Former UUP Mid and East Antrim Councillor John McDermott has announced that he has joined the DUP. Mr McDermott represents the Carrick Castle DEA. The UUP has also co-opted former councillor and MLA Derek Hussey onto Derry City and Strabane District Council.

  • Question Time for the Executive Office and Justice Minister will take place on Monday 2 November. Questions to the DAERA Minister and Communities Minister will take place on Tuesday 3 November.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA will brief the Justice Committee on key issues for her department on Tuesday 3 November.

  • The Education Committee will hear from departmental officials and the Education Authority on area planning for special schools on Wednesday 4 November.

  • Representatives from six local councils will give an oral briefing to the Executive Office Committee on the impact of Brexit on Wednesday 4 November.

  • On Thursday 5 November, the Health Committee will receive an update from Health Minister Robin Swann MLA and CMO Dr Michael McBride on Covid Response.

  • The Communities Committee will hear from departmental officials on Thursday 5 November on proposed changes to NI’s gambling legislation. The APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling will also meet on Thursday 5 November.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will meet on Wednesday 4 November to continue its inquiry into cross-border cooperation on policing, security and criminal justice after Brexit. The committee will hear oral evidence from the PSNI.

Other Stories this week

  • Sinn Féin Senator Elisha McCallion has resigned after three party offices incorrectly received payments of £10,000 under the Small Business Grant Scheme.

  • The Stormont Executive has agreed that schools in Northern Ireland will reopen on Monday. Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport for all post-primary pupils.

  • The Department for the Economy has begun the recruitment process for a Chair and four new Board Members to the Board of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA).

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has announced a £14 million funding package for taxi drivers and a package worth £5 million for bus and coach operators.

  • The CBI Northern Ireland has published a report outlining recommendations to reform major planning processes and to establish an independent infrastructure commission. The full report can be read here.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has published an interim report into addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. The report calls on the UK Government to conduct meaningful consultation with victims’ groups, NI political parties, and the Irish Government before publishing legislation.

  • The Irish Government has launched an online Brexit Readiness Checker to advise and assist businesses in their Brexit preparations.

  • Jeremy Corbyn MP has been suspended from the Labour Party following a report into anti-Semitism within the party under his leadership.

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