Forward Look
Arlene Foster MLA announced she will resign as Leader of the DUP on 28 May and will step down as First Minister at the end of June. The process to appoint her replacement will take place in due course. While a new leader is likely to be elected by the end of May, a senior DUP source has told BBC NI that there are likely to be negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Féin before Sinn Féin agree to the appointment of a new First Minister.
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced his candidacy for leader of the DUP.
The Disasters Emergency Committee has extended its Coronavirus appeal to help India manage the surge in Covid-19 infections. Donate here: LINK.
The Executive Office confirmed applications for the Troubles victims’ pension scheme will open on 30 June 2021.
Parliament was prorogued yesterday ahead of the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday 11 May.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has announced the High Street Stimulus (HSS) Scheme is expected to open at the end of the summer. The HSS Scheme will allow every person in Northern Ireland aged 18 and over to apply for a £100 pre-paid card to spend on their local high street. The Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme will be launched in the autumn.
EmTech Europe has announced the speaker line up for the 2021 conference held in Belfast. The headline speakers include Kenneth Chien, co-founder of Covid-19 vaccine company Moderna, and Nicole Eagan, co-founder and CSO of Darktrace.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD has announced the first British-Ireland Intergovernmental Conference may take place “in the coming weeks or months”. This will be the first conference since 2019.
Sinn Féin Foyle MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan have been asked to consider their positions as the party aims to rebuild in the city after poor electoral performances, according to the Irish Examiner.
The Executive Office and the Agriculture Minister will face the Assembly for Question Time on Tuesday. The Pension Schemes Bill has reached the Consideration Stage and will also be considered on Tuesday and the Executive Office will vote on motions regarding The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021.
The Infrastructure Committee will meet on Wednesday to receive a briefing from the NI Local Government Association and SOLACE NI on EU Successor Funding.
The Economy Committee will receive a briefing from the Department for Infrastructure on regional planning issues on Wednesday. The Finance Committee will also meet on Wednesday to receive oral evidence from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on fiscal council options.
On Thursday the Health Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the vaccination programme and on health inequalities. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee will also meet on Thursday to receive a closed written briefing on consideration of the work plan for the Climate Change Bill and will hear oral evidence from the PSNI on the withdrawal of DAERA and Local Authority staff from the ports.
Other Stories this week
The Alliance Party published its 2021 Green New Deal manifesto, proposing the creation of 50,000 inclusive and green jobs aimed at economic and social recovery over the next decade: LINK.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced £21m in Covid grants will be issued to over 850 manufacturing businesses.
Former Housing Minister and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Eoghan Murphy, resigned his seat in the Dáil to pursue a career in international affairs. There will be a by-election in due course.
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve the post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and the UK. 660 voted in favour and 5 voted against.
The Department for the Economy has opened applications for the position of Chair to the Board of NI Screen. The application deadline is 7 May 2021.
Belfast City Council’s new Standards and Business Committee will be made up on 20 members and has delegated authority regarding Notices of Motion. It is due to sit in the coming months.
A cross-departmental report on the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Action Plan was published showing progress for 2020/2021 and setting out the action plan for year six of the seven year strategy plan: LINK.
An official inquiry has been launched by the Electoral Commission into the source of funding for Boris Johnson’s refurbishment of his 11 Downing Street flat.
Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced a further expansion to the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces. All organisations with 10 or more employees or volunteers, who cannot work from home, can now access the workforce asymptomatic testing programme. The Covid-19 vaccination programme is now open to the 35-39 age group, with an early opportunity for the 30-34 age group to book their vaccine from 10am today.
Upcoming key political and business events
6 May, Scottish and Welsh Parliamentary Elections, English Local Elections
11 May State Opening of Parliament
27 May, FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards
1 June, Belfast City Council Meeting
10-11 June, BelTech 2021
1-2 July, EmTech Europe, MIT Technology Review
Consultations
Consultation on Modern Slavery Transparency in Supply Chains Department of Justice. Deadline 12 May 2021.
Inquiry into the Experience of Minority Ethnic and Migrant People in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Deadline 21 May 2021.
Consultation on proposals to include teachers in fair employment legislation Chris Lyttle MLA, Alliance. Deadline 10 June 2021.
Consultation on review of the Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan Department for the Economy. Deadline 25 June 2021.
Consultation on policy options for the new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland Department for the Economy. Deadline 30 June 2021.
Consultation on pre-school education admissions criteria Department of Education. Deadline 12 July 2021.
Consultation on a Statutory Duty of Candour and Being Open Framework Department of Health. Deadline 2 August 2021.