Forward Look
Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has announced that preparations are underway to begin Northern Ireland’s Covid vaccination programme next month which will run on a phased basis into the new year. Jenny Pyper has been appointed as interim Head of the NI Civil Service and will lead a new Covid Taskforce to improve departmental coordination during the pandemic.
The First and deputy First Ministers have also announced a temporary relaxation of restrictions for the Christmas period, allowing up to three households to mix between 23 and 27 December.
The Harbours Bill will have its Second Stage in the Assembly next Tuesday. If passed, the bill will increase the level of grants given to harbours by the Department for Infrastructure for repairs and works.
On Monday, the First and deputy First Ministers, and the Health Minister will face the Assembly for Question Time. The Infrastructure Minister and Justice Minister will answer questions on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Education Committee will hear a departmental briefing on the consultation for a new Special Educational Needs Framework. Also on Wednesday, the Economy Committee will hear from both the department and Ulster Bank’s Chief Economist Richard Ramsey on the pre-paid voucher scheme.
On Thursday, the Communities Committee will hear an oral briefing from local pubs and breweries in relation to the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill. Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will also give an oral update to the Health Committee on Covid-19 response.
The NI Affairs Select Committee will hear from HM Revenue and Customs on Wednesday on EU Transition preparation as well as Covid-19 economic support schemes.
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has delivered the Spending Review for 2021/22, allocating an additional £920 million to NI, with £540 million of this for pandemic spending and £380 million for departmental spending. Public sector pay increases have been frozen apart from for those who earn less than £24,000 a year, who will receive an increase of at least £250. The National Living Wage will also increase to £8.91 for those aged 23 and over. Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has criticised the Spending Review for not doing enough to address Covid economic recovery and Brexit uncertainty.
The latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecast has said that the UK Government will need to find around £27 billion worth of spending cuts or tax rises to put the public finances on a sustainable footing. The OBR has also predicted unemployment to increase by 7.5% by the second quarter of 2021.
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Other Stories this week
Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced an additional business support package worth £213 million with extra funding for the hospitality, manufacturing and charity sectors.
Sinn Féin’s new MLA for West Tyrone, Nichola Brogan has been co-opted to the Assembly.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced former banker and Treasury official Dan Rosenfield as his Chief of Staff. The PM’s new Press Secretary, Allegra Stratton has revealed she will hold televised briefings beginning on 11 January.
Marks & Spencer has warned that up to 15% of its food product lines could be unavailable to its Northern Ireland shops from 1 January.
England will enter a period of strict, tiered restrictions from 2 December with around 55 million people banned from visiting other households in the lead up to Christmas. The Irish Government, however, is planning to ease Covid restrictions for close to two weeks across a similar period.
A new Infrastructure Bank will be established in the north of England next Spring. Working with the private sector, it will finance infrastructure projects across the UK.
Upcoming key political and business events
27 November, An audience with Northern Ireland’s Political Leaders – One Year On CBI Northern Ireland
30 November, In Discussion with the Bank of England CBI
2 December, A conversation with the US Consul General to Belfast, Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau UCL
3 December, The Northern Ireland Economic Conference agendaNI
16 December, In Camera with the Department of Health NI Chamber of Commerce
Consultations
Zero Hours Contracts Bill Consultation NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Consultation on the creation of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
New SEN Regulations Department of Education. Deadline 22 December.
Public Realm Project Department for Communities. Deadline 22 December.
Consent to Serious Harm for Sexual Gratification; Not a Defence Department of Justice. Deadline 4 January 2021.
Establishment of a Regional Care and Justice Campus Departments of Health and Justice. Deadline 15 January 2021.
Living with Water in Belfast Department for Infrastructure. Deadline 29 January 2021.
Consultation on the New Substance Use Strategy Department of Health. Deadline 5 February 2021.