Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 8 March 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Executive has published its Pathway to Recovery document which aims to find a sustainable way out of restrictions for society and business. Starting on 16 March, restrictions will be reviewed every 4 weeks with a final review planned for 10 June.

  • The NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP has announced that the UK Government will unilaterally extend ‘grace periods’ for food imports from GB-NI until the end of September 2021. European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič has stated that the UK Government’s decision violates the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.

  • The Consideration Stage of the Budget will take place in the Assembly on Monday.

  • In the 2021 UK Budget, £410m has been allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive, including an increase of £4.2m for everyday public spending. The furlough scheme is to be extended until the end of September with employers contributing 10% towards hours not worked in July, increasing to 20% in August. The 5% VAT reduction for hospitality will also be extended by six months until the end of September.

  • Deidre Mahon, Phil Scraton and Dr. Maeve O’Rourke have been announced as the expert team who will work in partnership with victims and survivors of Mother and Baby and Magdalene Laundry Institutions to establish the terms of reference for a fully independent investigation.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA stated that all adults over 50 are expected to be offered a vaccine by the end of April. He confirmed that the mass vaccination centre opening in the SSE Arena on 29 March will see extended opening hours.

  • The Health and Social Care Bill, designed to streamline and simplify management of the Health Department, will be presented to the Assembly on Monday.

  • Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons MLA will present a paper to the Executive next week on the legal implications of his decision to order work to halt on border control posts on GB-NI trade.

  • Communities Minister Deidre Hargey MLA has announced that Sport NI are seeking new board members.

  • The Executive Office and the Communities Minister will appear at Question Time on Monday, with the Economy Minister appearing on Tuesday.

  • The Economy Committee will receive a briefing from the NI Tourism Alliance on Covid-19 and Brexit on Wednesday.

  • The Communities Committee will begin consideration of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill on Thursday.

  • The Finance Committee will receive a briefing from Social Enterprise NI on the Public Procurement Common Framework on Wednesday.

  • Women in Media Belfast are to hold their inaugural conference on International Women’s Day, Monday 8 March, with 3 panel discussions chaired by Amanda Ferguson, Allison Morris and Patricia Mac Bride. For more information and to register: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • Hospitality Ulster has launched a post pandemic recovery plan for the hospitality sector which aims to rebuild the sector, rethink the hospitality offer and revitalise the economy. Read the report here.

  • Tracey Magee has been appointed UTV Political Editor.

  • Labour MP for Pontypridd Alex Davies-Jones has been appointed Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland, replacing Karin Smyth MP.

  • A report published this week by the Disaster Emergency Committee’s coalition of leading UK aid agencies has found that the Covid-19 pandemic is worsening the dire humanitarian situation in fragile states such as Syria.

  • Former People Before Profit (PBP) MLA Eamon McCann has stepped down from the Derry City and Strabane District Council for health reasons.

  • Nick Beech, Clerk of the NI Affairs Committee, has moved to the Commons Transport Committee, with no replacement as of yet.

  • Belfast Media Group is to re-designate as a social enterprise and will move to a digital offering which includes pay-to-view options for subscribers.

  • Ryanair has announced it will recommence flights from Belfast City Airport from June this year.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has announced a £2.9 million package of support for further education students to address digital poverty.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations