Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 1 March 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Assembly will debate the Budget next week.

  • Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA, confirmed that the independent fiscal council will be operational in a matter of days. The Council will have responsibility to ensure the Executive’s finances are sustainable. A formal announcement is expected in due course.

  • Economy Minister, Diane Dodds MLA, launched a £290m economic recovery plan that set outs a road map to rebuilding the economy from the impact of the pandemic. The plan includes high street and tourism vouchers and amending the age criteria for apprenticeships. To read the full plan: LINK

  • The UK Government has extended funds to help level-up every corner of the UK. This will see £800 million worth of investment in town centres, local transport, cultural and heritage projects and high street regeneration across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2021/22 to 2024/25.

  • The First Minister and deputy First Minister will present the Executive’s pathway out of lockdown to the Assembly next week.

  • Health Department officials revealed at the Health Committee that Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme will ramp up with the opening of the SSE Arena as a regional vaccination centre by the end of March.

  • Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA, advised MLAs that there will be a public consultation on the idea of minimum pricing of alcohol which will start at the end of the current Assembly mandate in 2022.

  • The UK Government will set up a new cabinet committee to focus on the Union. The committee will be chaired by the Prime Minster and will set the governments strategic agenda to keep the Union together.

  • The EU-UK Joint Committee met to discuss the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. They agreed to hold further joint engagements with business groups and stakeholders in Northern Ireland. The next Joint Committee meeting will be before the end of March.

  • The BBC announced they are seeking a board member for Northern Ireland. Applications close on 12 March 2021. LINK

  • Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP, will present the UK Budget to Parliament on Wednesday.

  • Northern Ireland Questions will take place in Parliament on Wednesday.

  • Question Time will take place for the Justice and Infrastructure Ministers on Monday. The Agriculture Minister will answer questions on Tuesday.

  • The Economy Committee will receive a briefing from Invest NI and InterTradeIreland on EU Exit and NI Protocol on Wednesday.

  • The Committee for the Executive Office will hear various briefings on the High Street Task Force on Wednesday.

  • On Thursday, the Communities Committee will hear from the Institute of Public Health Ireland, NI Tourism Alliance and the GAA on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.

  • The Health Minister will appear before the Health Committee on Thursday to provide an update on the COVID-19 disease response.

  • Londonderry Chambers of Commerce President’s Virtual Lunch will take place on Friday. Speakers include Stephen Gillespie, Kevin Holland, Kieran Kennedy and Andrew Toogood. For more information and to register: LINK

  • The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building will host Hen Norton in conversation with Monica McWilliams to celebrate Mo Mowlam and Women Peacebuilders on 8 March. For more information and to register: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • The Heads of Terms for the £210m Derry-Londonderry and Strabane Region City Deal have been agreed.

  • Northern Ireland labour market statistics were published which shown that the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland is currently 3.6%. LINK

  • The Treasury Commissioned Independent Fintech Strategic Review is published today. Led by Ron Kalifa, it provides a clear strategy and delivery plan to ensure the UK capitalises upon the opportunities Fintech presents.

  • Junior Ministers Gary Middleton MLA and Declan Kearney MLA chaired the first meeting of the High Street Task Force on Tuesday.

  • The Prime Minister unveiled his plan to end England’s restrictions by 21 June.

  • The Public Accounts Committee published their Impact Review of Special Educational Needs. LINK

  • It was announced that Bauer Media, owner of Cool FM and Downtown Radio, is buying Communicorp whose stations include Today FM and Newstalk.

  • The Executive agreed further COVID-19 funding allocations of £74m including £25m towards the health workers recognition payment.

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