Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 26 April 2021

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Forward Look

  • From next Friday there will be further relaxations to the current Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland. This includes the reopening of all retail, licensed and unlicensed outdoor hospitality, gyms and swimming pools for individual use, and the removal of curfews on takeaways and off licenses. From today, close contact services will reopen and a return to outdoor competitive sport will be permitted.

  • According to the BBC, the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be expanded to include the 35-39 age group from next Friday. Pop-up vaccination clinics to target areas of low vaccine uptake will be opened “in the next week or two”.

  • The Executive Office Committee and the Economy Committee have agreed to meet concurrently with the Interim Head of the Civil Service, Jenny Pyper to discuss the High Street Taskforce on Wednesday 16 June.

  • The European Parliament will vote next Tuesday to ratify the post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement. The PM has repeated claims he will end trade barriers between NI-GB.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has announced that a review will be conducted on strategic planning policy on renewable and low carbon energy projects.

  • Monday marks the beginning of the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Week with a range of virtual events hosted by different stakeholders including Further Education colleges.

  • An independent review of how the Education Authority supports children with special educational needs is to take place “as soon as possible” according to the Department of Education. The Department is also seeking views on revising the current criteria for pre-school admissions: LINK.

  • The Department for the Economy has said “good progress” has been made on the development of a high street voucher scheme. July has been reported as a potential target date.

  • Question Time will take place on Monday for Health Minister Robin Swann MLA and Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA. Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA will answer questions on Tuesday.

  • The Executive Office Committee will hear a briefing from Junior Ministers Gordon Lyons MLA and Declan Kearney MLA on Brexit issues on Wednesday.

  • The Environment Committee will hear evidence from Clare Bailey MLA on her Climate Change Private Members’ Bill on Thursday.

  • The Health Committee will also meet on Thursday to continue its scrutiny of the Health and Social Care Bill, which has been given an extended committee stage along with the Severe Fetal Impairment (Amendment) Bill.

  • The Communities Committee will continue its consideration of evidence as part of scrutiny for the Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill on Thursday.

  • Cabinet Office Minister and Brexit lead, Lord Frost will give evidence to the Westminster European Scrutiny Committee on Monday.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will meet on Wednesday to continue its inquiry into Brexit and the NI Protocol. Separately, the Committee has launched an inquiry into the experience of ethnic minority and migrant communities in Northern Ireland.

  • Westminster’s Treasury Committee has given Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP and former PM David Cameron until May 6 to respond to its inquiry into the Greensill Capital lobbying scandal.

  • The NI Chamber of Commerce will host an online interview with BBC Director-General Tim Davie CBE next Thursday: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • The Department of Health has published an update on its Covid-19 Response Strategy. A Commissioning Plan for Community Pharmacy for 2021-22 has also been agreed.

  • The Department of Finance has announced that applications are now open for a one-off £50,000 grant to assist businesses in a range of sectors including hospitality, leisure, and manufacturing.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has said her department has commenced drafting legislation to ban conversion therapy alongside the work being done in the LGBTQI+ Strategy.

  • Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe TD has announced the establishment of a Commission on Taxation and Welfare to independently consider revenue raising whilst meeting the costs of public services. Minister Donohoe has said he will resist attempts to rebalance global corporation tax if it affects Dublin’s ability to undercut its rivals.

  • Westminster Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer MP has resigned in opposition to the government’s Overseas Operations Bill which does not protect ex-soldiers who served in Northern Ireland. A bill providing equivalent protections is expected to be brought forward by the NIO after the Queen’s Speech.

  • Downing Street has axed plans for televised White House-style press conferences. The PM’s Press Secretary, Allegra Stratton will become the PM’s spokesperson on the COP26 climate summit. Jack Doyle has been appointed Downing Street Director of Communications.

  • Lord McFall has been elected as the new Lord Speaker and will take up post on Monday 3 May.

  • Former Senator Ian Marshall has lost out in his bid to return to the Seanad with a vote-share of 34%. Filling the two vacant seats are Fine Gael’s Maria Byrne and Fianna Fail’s Gerry Horkan.

  • An Assembly All-Party Group on Homelessness has been established.

  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has launched a new taskforce between the Treasury and the Bank of England to examine the case for a new central bank-backed digital currency.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations