US Consul General praises local young leaders graduating from Washington Ireland Program despite pandemic challenges

(L-R) Bryan Patten, Executive Director, Washington Ireland Program; Roisin Muirhead, participant; Sophie Carlisle, participant; Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, U.S. Consul General; Christine Crossan, participant.

Group of 30 from NI graduate this month without setting foot in US

US Consul General, Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau has welcomed the hard work and commitment of the 2020 graduates of the Washington Ireland Program - normally hosted in Washington DC - despite not leaving the island of Ireland this summer.

The 2020 class experienced a radically different programme to previous years due to the Covid-19 pandemic restricting travel to the US, resulting in their inability to carry out internships at some of the leading political, law and media offices on Capitol Hill and Washington D.C. 

The Washington Ireland Program was created in 1995 to support young leaders from all communities North and South, giving them the experience, skills and networks to shape a bright future for the island of Ireland.

While in previous years the central feature of the programme has been the opportunity for students to undertake work placements in New York City or Washington DC in influential offices such as Congress, media companies and law firms, this has been adapted to meet the Covid landscape. The entire programme has had to adapt to give this year’s students the same opportunity to continue their learning and development remotely. 

From March onwards the programme was conducted entirely through virtual means. Using Zoom, students got the opportunity to hear from leading industry figures and key thinkers as well as take part in online work placements. Despite the difficulties facing the students in having to establish working relationships through virtual means, the programme was completed successfully with students set to graduate in the coming months.

Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, Consul General for the United States in Belfast commented:

“This year’s graduating students should be commended for how they adapted to and overcame the challenges of the pandemic and strived to get the best out of the Washington Ireland Program in unprecedented times.

“The students displayed a great deal of determination in refusing to let the virus affect the course of their personal and professional growth. Their efforts reflect Northern Irish young people and their keen desire to progress, grow and better their futures.

“The Washington Ireland Program is a fantastic opportunity for young people across Northern Ireland and Ireland to gain professional experience and be part of a global network of leaders. Over the last 20 years we have seen its graduates go on to become the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs and political leaders shaping the future.

“Students were able to display the leadership qualities which the Program places so much importance on and adapted seamlessly to the situation thanks to their commitment to learn and face challenges.”

Bryan Patten, Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program stated:

“The Class of 2020 faced challenges which no one could have foreseen and embraced the need to go virtual without hesitation. Without their positive attitude and desire to develop despite the external challenges, this year simply could not have gone ahead.

The program also wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast commitment of our supporters in the US and at home – most importantly in the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington DC and the Irish Department of Education.

“The technology provided new opportunities too and gave the students more opportunities to connect with global leaders in business, diplomacy and politics from their own homes. We featured Karen Pierce, the newly appointed UK Ambassador to the US; Jen O’Malley Dillon current campaign manager leading Joe Biden’s 2020 Presidential challenge who formerly worked on both Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns; Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle, who serves on the House Committee for Foreign Affairs; and Doug Feagin, President of International Business at Ant Financial, the world’s highest-valued FinTech Company.

“We had a total of 30 students taking part this year and each of them are a credit to themselves and the Program.”

Christine Crossan, a participant in this year’s program who studies Law at Ulster University said:

“One of the key messages of the Program was the importance of relating to the world and adapting to it. Working on work policy proposals on the coronavirus and its social effects was something I found hugely valuable. It was challenging at first trying to forge working relationships through a screen, but the Program made it really to sustain these relationships going forward.”

Another participant Sophie Carlisle who studies Law LLM at Queen’s University, Belfast said:

“The Program’s organisers went above and beyond to ensure that we still had the opportunity to interact with leading industry figures in areas such as politics, diplomacy, business, and financial technology. Having that dialogue with these figures allowed us to still feel involved and inspired without the physical interaction.”

Alumni of the Washington Ireland Program have gone on to become influential figures across Ireland in politics, finance, business, and the media. Notable alumni include:

Leo Varadkar, Fine Gael TD and Former Taoiseach.

Chris Lyttle, Alliance MLA and Chair of the Education Committee.

Kieran O’Connor, VP of Operations at Options Technology.

Dr Adrian Margey, award winning painter based on the North Coast.

Claire Sugden, Independent MLA and former Justice Minister in NI Executive.

Londonderry Chamber reiterates need for clarity and Brexit deal as EU Ambassador visits the North West

Paul Clancy, Chief Executive, Derry Chamber

A Londonderry Chamber delegation has welcomed the EU’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom to the North West to discuss key Brexit challenges ahead of the end of the transition period.

João Vale de Almeida, the EU’s first official Ambassador to the UK after Britain left the union in January, met with the Chamber’s Chief Executive, President, and Vice-President on Thursday evening to hear first-hand the concerns of local companies as the negotiations between the UK and the EU on the future of trade across the UK and Ireland have appeared to stall in recent weeks.

Ambassador Vale de Almeida’s comes at a critical time as the transition period comes to an end on 31 December 2020. The UK Government’s recently-published Internal Market Bill and attempts to sidestep the agreed NI Protocol as part of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement has caused serious concern among businesses in NI and with EU negotiators.

Paul Clancy, Chief Executive, Derry Chamber, said:

“The Chamber was pleased to welcome Ambassador Vale de Almeida to the North West and his engagement here was very timely and useful. Despite Brexit being firmly back in the headlines in recent weeks, businesses in Northern Ireland are none the wiser about what the end of the transition period will mean for their operations. Significant uncertainty is terrible for business confidence and companies across the North West are rightly concerned about possible new barriers to trade.

“The UK Government’s recent attempts to breach the previously agreed NI Protocol with the introduction of the Internal Market Bill has added to the anxieties of businesses here and the Chamber is concerned about the impact this will have on the negotiations and relationship between the EU and the UK. We urged the Ambassador to ensure the EU explores every avenue to ensure north-south, as well as east-west, trade is protected and remains open to business across Northern Ireland. We were impressed by the Ambassador’s commitment to protecting the essence of the Good Friday Agreement, which is vital to the stability of our society and economy in Northern Ireland, and he reaffirmed the EU’s efforts to avoid any return to a hard border in our region.

“The future prosperity of the North West – in both Derry and Donegal – will be contingent on a constructive relationship between the EU and the UK and a positive conclusion to their negotiations. With under three months until the end of the transition period, we are concerned that talks have stalled, and we are urging both sides to refocus their minds on getting a deal which protects across our islands.”  

Redmond McFadden, President, Derry Chamber

Redmond McFadden, President, Derry Chamber, said:

“Ambassador Vale de Almeida’s visit to the North West is indicative of the importance of Brexit to our region. As a border economy and community, Brexit presents a particular challenge to our businesses, workers, and families. Ambassador Vale de Almeida’s visit to Derry highlights the very real concerns local people and firms have about what Brexit could bring to our region.

“Businesses need urgent clarity over what 1st January 2021 will look like for their trading operations. Any new barriers to business are unthinkable and would compound the devastating impact which Covid-19 has had on our local economy. We hope that both the EU and UK will work productively between now and the European Council meeting on 15th October to reach an agreement which will protect NI businesses, ensure unfettered trade between our existing trading partners, and grant much-needed certainty for local companies.”

Belfast unites with global family to plot path through pandemic

Betty Yee, California State Controller, will join a panel discussion on Providing the Fiscal Firepower to Fight the Pandemic.

A global team of Friends of Belfast will field for the city at the seventh annual Homecoming next month to help the city through the Covid crisis.

Uniting virtually under the theme ‘We are Team Belfast’ will be champions of commerce, culture and community from four continents.

For the first time, the conference will also salute exceptional individuals from other places who have made Belfast their home, including leading burns consultant Mr Khalid Khan, Children’s Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma and South African Presbyterian Minister Brent van der Linde.

The two-day conference traditionally connects Belfast with its diaspora around the world, and this year it will call on its diaspora to back the city, as it rebuilds from the effects of Covid-19.

Seventy speakers will participate in the conference including:

• Betty Yee, California State Controller

• Eilis Ferran, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Cambridge University

• Christine Quinn, Chief Executive, WIN homeless charity, New York

• Keith Nealon, Chief Executive, Bazaarvoice, Austin, Texas

• Marty Meehan, President, University of Massachusetts

Keith Nealon, Chief Executive of Baazarvoice, will discuss the tech company’s journey to setting up in Belfast

Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Alderman Frank McCoubrey said:

“Given the importance of our diaspora to the city’s international profile, I am delighted that Council is supporting The Homecoming conference once again this year. Events like this are extremely important in helping to maintain our longstanding friendships and helping to foster new ones.

“Despite the global difficulties resulting from the pandemic, Belfast remains very much open for business and Team Belfast is determined to continue to build on our growing reputation as an attractive location for people to study, visit, invest and trade.

“The last six months have been challenging for everyone but I believe that we have risen to the challenge as a city and our response has demonstrated our resilience and ‘can do’ attitude. I hope that these positive messages are echoed far and wide by the international participants taking part in this year’s event.”

Seamus Cushley, Vice-President of R&D and Site Lead, Bazaarvoice in Belfast said:

“Bazaarvoice is proud to be the headline sponsor of this year’s Belfast International Homecoming. While we are a global company, Bazaarvoice is putting down deep roots in Belfast’s growing tech industry and we want to showcase Northern Ireland as a great place to live and work.

“As we play our part in growing the knowledge economy and developing skills here, we believe it is important to support events like The Homecoming, which are focused on the future and determined to bring a message of positivity and optimism in these unusual times.”

Jackie Henry, Senior Partner at Deloitte UK said:

“Before this crisis, Belfast had come a long way. That was down to our people, our ambition and our work ethic. Our diaspora links played a big role in that too and we need those links now more than ever.

“For the past six months, we have all been isolated, trying to comprehend the full impact of this pandemic and focusing on keeping our businesses going during this crisis.

“Belfast Homecoming provides a unique opportunity for businesspeople to look outside of their own organisations, forge meaningful links with others, and help make positive and long-lasting changes in our economy and society.”

As well as a series of discussions about rebuilding, Homecoming will also showcase ten of Belfast’s inspirational leaders who pivoted through the pandemic and created innovative ways of moving the community forward in a time of uncertainty. 

Belfast Homecoming is sponsored by Bazaarvoice, The Open University, Deloitte, Northern Irish Connections, MPR, Tourism Ireland, The Dead Rabbit, Tourism NI, Neueda, Belfast City Council, Datactics, IBO New York, and Belfast Harbour. Organisers have chosen The Community Foundation as the charity partner for this year’s conference.

Sustainable councils in political partnership with Stormont can drive recovery

Cllr Matt Garrett, NILGA President

After four years, the first meeting of the reconvened Northern Ireland Partnership Panel was held virtually yesterday (16th September 2020). This body develops policies and actions between Stormont and the 11 councils on matters of common concern.

Chaired by the Communities Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, the meeting of local government representatives from NILGA, Councils and Executive Ministers focused on the immediate health and economic issues faced by the public. Members also discussed several areas requiring joint working by NILGA and the Executive Departments.

Communities Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA said:

“During recent months, working collaboratively and in partnership has played a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our citizens.

“It was important to restart the Partnership Panel to further build positive working relationships and while today’s meeting was the first for several years, it was a well-received and much welcomed event by both local government and central government members.

“Discussions were focused and helpful in guiding us to where we need to put our future effort. I believe that with continued collaboration we should see further opportunities and positive outcomes that will help us tackle challenges for our economy and society as we head toward a post Covid-19 era.”

NILGA President, Councillor Matt Garrett (Belfast City Council), commented: 

“Reiterating our thanks to the Communities Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín for her leadership in reconvening the Ministerial – Council Panel, we welcome today’s meeting as a practical first step. Central and local government joint work saved lives and protected livelihoods earlier this year as the pandemic hit hard. We must maintain and enhance this work and as such councils must gain the resources to locally plan & deliver economic and community initiatives on top of sustaining vital services for our citizens.    

“We all recognise that finance to support our communities is finite, so we need to combine our thinking and be more creative about getting the right resources, to the right people, at the right time, to better serve our communities and support our local economies.  

“Councils as hubs of their communities have been recognised across the board for their integral role in the current crisis. As NILGA President, I would assert that it’s time this recognition becomes long term in terms of our sustainability, roles, resources and responsibilities. The funding model for councils needs to be radically changed and investment is needed right now. That’s a joint challenge. We are up for it. And the Community will be better for it. “

Finance Minister and NILGA Executive address Covid-19 council financial support and recovery plans

Cllr Matt Garrett, NILGA President

Today (11th September 2020), council elected members from all 11 of NI’s councils heard first-hand from Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA, on the Executive’s overall Covid-19 recovery plans in budget terms together with future support for local government. 

NILGA members reaffirmed their partnership approach but also expressed their concerns for the sustainability of the local government sector. Recognising the welcome funding to date from the Executive, which alleviated some of the immediate council funding pressures, councils continue to incur income losses due to the closure of revenue-generating facilities and forecast significant income reductions due to the impact on rate returns. Recognising these challenges, members were encouraged by the Minister’s collaborative approach to working together to mitigate the community impact of a substantial reduction in council led services, together with local socio-economic, health and wellbeing deficits.

Members also highlighted the need for public sector finances to be transformed across the region, with part of that transformation looking at how our councils are funded and support more fully the emerging Programme for Government, in order to make our economy and public services much more sustainable.

Cllr Matt Garrett (Belfast City Council), NILGA President, commented:

“I welcome the Finance Minister’s input and commitments for and with local government today. This is an exceptionally challenging time for everyone and every penny counts. For councils, the hubs of our communities before and during Covid, the importance but fragility of our 11 local councils is exposed, needs addressing and the only way to do this is via political and practical shared work.  

“While we welcome the support to date from Ministers and Departments, we must move here to strong and clear fiscal reassurances - as afforded in neighbouring regions. This is a long road and I believe all Ministers, MLAs, NILGA and councils will redouble their commitment in the crucial times ahead.”  

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA welcomed the joint engagement:

“Councils have played a critical role in supporting communities during the Covid pandemic. At the same time they have also lost significant income. To help with this the Executive has provided Councils with £20m of direct support as well as funding for waste management. The Executive has also borne the full £313m cost of the rates holiday, so it will not impact on councils’ rate income this year. It was useful to discuss with NILGA the future funding needs of Councils and I will take this into account when recommending to the Executive further support for Councils.”

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 14 September

Forward Look

• The UK Government introduced the Internal Markets Bill in Parliament which will make provisions for the trade of goods and services within the UK if no deal is reached between the UK and EU by 15 October. The Bill gives Ministers power to ‘disapply or modify’ exit declarations on goods travelling from NI to GB and the effects of Article 10 which covers the application of EU state aid rules. There are also clauses within the Bill which would allow Ministers to amend the list of goods with unfettered access under the NI protocol. UK Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department, Jonathan Jones, resigned due to the changes which are in breach of international law. The second reading of the Bill will scheduled for Monday 14 September.

• The NI Affairs Selected Committee has opened a new inquiry into Brexit and the NI Protocol. Deadline for evidence submissions is 31 December 2020. Secretary of State for NI, Brandon Lewis MP will give evidence to the Committee on Wednesday 16 September.

• The First and deputy First Ministers announced an indicative date of 21 September for non-food serving bars to reopen. Restrictions were also announced for those living in Belfast City, Ballymena, and postcodes BT28, BT29 and BT43 limiting people visiting other residential properties.

• Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP will deliver the Autumn Budget on Tuesday 6 October.

• Irish Finance Minister, Pascal Donohoe will deliver the Budget to the Dáil on Thursday 8 October.

• The Head of the NI Civil Service is expected to be announced on Monday 14 September.

• Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA will bring forward a new Adult Safeguarding Bill to the Assembly. The Bill will help protect care home residents and other vulnerable people. The Bill follows the first report from an independent review into HSCB’s response to the failings of care at Dunmurray Manor Care Home.

• The NI Affairs Select Committee has opened an inquiry into cross-border co-operation between the UK and Ireland on policing and criminal justice. Deadline for submissions of evidence is Friday 2 October.

• Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA has announced a public inquiry will be launched into the abuse scandal at Muckamore Abbey Hospital under the Inquiry Act 2005.

• First and deputy First Minsters and the Economy Minister will partake in Question Time in the Assembly on Monday 14 September.

• The Finance and Education Ministers will take questions from the Assembly on Tuesday 15 September.

• The All-Party Group on Cancer is to meet on Tuesday 15 September.

• The Health Committee will hear a departmental brief on Brexit on Thursday 17 September.

• The Partnership Panel, a body established to strengthen relationships between the Executive and local government, will meet for the first time since 2016 on Wednesday 16 September.

• QUB’s Policy and Engagement Department will host ‘Negotiating Brexit: September Brexit Clinic at Queen's’ on Wednesday 23 September. Prof David Phinnemore, Prof Dagmar Schiek, Prof Katy Hayward and Dr Viviane Gravey will discuss the latest round of trade talks and the implications for NI at the online event.

• Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss MP announced the membership of the Board of Trade. Members included Brandon Lewis MP but excluded NI politicians and business leaders.

• A fintech research project is to be published later this year by Whitecap Consulting looking at where the competitive advantages lie within the sector in NI.

• Third sector membership body CO3 is holding its virtual Leadership Conference on 24 and 25 September. Keynote speakers include former US Ambassador to the UN and key adviser to President Barack Obama, Samantha Power. To register, please visit this link.

Other Stories this week

• Mairead McGuiness MEP has been appointed as the EU Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. Her appointment follows the resignation of EU Commissioner for Trade, Phil Hogan.

• Dr Melissa McCullough has been confirmed as the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

• The All-Party Group on Addiction and Dual-Diagnosis met for the first time on Wednesday, selecting Cara Hunter MLA as Chair and Órlaithí Flynn MLA as Vice-Chair.

• Ryan Smith has been appointed as Editor of Belfast Live.

Consultations

• Autism Private Members Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC. 

• Trade Union Freedom Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.

• Consultation on Further Education Support and Charging Policy at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) DAERA. Deadline 11 September.

• Consultation on Development of an Adult Restorative Justice Strategy for Northern Ireland Department of Justice. Deadline 11 September. 

• Draft Organised Crime Strategy 2020-2023 Department of Justice. Deadline 2 October.

• Second Independent Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Process in NI Department for Communities. Deadline 16 October.

• Online Political Transparency The Cabinet Office. Deadline 4 November.

Hospitality Ulster welcomes indicative date for the reopening of traditional ‘wet-led’ pubs by the NI Executive

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

Welcoming the news from the Northern Ireland Executive that an indicative date for the reopening of traditional ‘wet-led’ pubs has been given for 21st September, Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“We welcome the decision by the NI Executive in providing the indicative date of 21st September to allow traditional non-food pubs to reopen. This is such a vital step forward and, if stuck to, will be a lifeline for those who have had to shut for the past six months without any income.”

“Securing an indicative date will provide hope that has been sadly missing of late, and will help secure hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs that have been hanging in the balance.”

“We have provided assurances and offered suggestions on enforceable measures for the protection of public health and staff in the sector, for both those already open, and the reopening of the traditional non food serving pubs. We can see from the reopening of other parts of the sector since the start of July that the vast majority of the hospitality industry is taking this very seriously. They want to be open, trading and welcoming back customers, not being over reliant on government.”

“We have to also remember that we have been given an indicative timeframe previously and we must encourage the Executive to hold steady in getting us to the new date less than two weeks away. Any further delay, without a critical financial aid package, will be catastrophic.”  

“We also must acknowledge that other parts of the hospitality sector still need assistance such as music and event venues and outdoor event spaces. They themselves support a whole host of performers in the arts and cultural sector for example and it is just as important that we get these places back on their feet again.”

Fintech Envoy meets with NIO Minister in Belfast

Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland Andrew Jenkins with Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Robin Walker MP

HM Treasury appointed Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland, Andrew Jenkins held a positive discussion with Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Robin Walker MP earlier today.

Envoy Jenkins outlined how the sector has remained strong and resilient across Northern Ireland. He noted that Fintech has the potential to fuel economic recovery here but highlighted challenges including skills and talent, access to later stage funding and ongoing support for the start-up and scale-up ecosystem which need continued focus to meet the long-term needs of the sector.

In recent months, the Fintech sector has benefited from job creation with significant global investment announcements from Cygilant, Riskonnect and Vox Financial Partners.

Fintech is one of the fastest growing sectors of the UK economy, encompassing innovation in financial services including digital banking, payment technologies and asset management. 40,000 people are employed in this sector across Northern Ireland.   

Envoy Jenkins recently met with Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA and has been appointed to the National Connectivity Advisory Panel for the UK Fintech Strategic Review announced by Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister John Glen MP in July.

Speaking following this meeting, Andrew Jenkins, Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland said:

“I welcomed the opportunity to meet and engage with Minister Walker today. This was a timely meeting with the Minister who showed significant interest and understanding of Northern Ireland’s Fintech sector and its potential to drive economic growth. As our economy recovers from Covid-19 and with Brexit on the horizon, it is vital that Fintech is central to this.

“Despite being a relatively small place, in terms of Fintech we punch well above our weight. We have a rich start up and scale up community across Northern Ireland and the combination of factors including talent availability, infrastructure, cost-effectiveness, and a supportive business environment have contributed to our attractiveness to foreign investors. Furthermore, we have world-class technology expertise across Northern Ireland including in cyber-security, AI, big data and advanced analytics. There is momentum and energy in the sector. We need to harness that, and also recognise there is more work to do.

“As Fintech Envoy, I will continue to work with the UK Government, the NI Executive and industry to embed Fintech in economic development programmes and ensure that Northern Ireland is the best place in the world to start and build a Fintech company. In particular, I look forward to taking part in the upcoming independent strategic review into the wider Fintech industry across the UK which will ensure the levers are in place to accelerate change and enhance our global reputation.”

NIO Press Release - Latest: UK Government outlines detail of Internal Market Bill to be introduced to Parliament

NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP

A new Bill to protect jobs and trade across Northern Ireland and all four nations of the United Kingdom after the Transition Period ends will be introduced to parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 9 September).

The UK Internal Market Bill will guarantee companies can trade unhindered in every part of the UK as they have done for centuries, ensuring the continued prosperity of people and business across all four nations, while maintaining our world-leading high standards for consumers, workers, food, animal welfare and the environment. 

The Bill will also give new spending powers to the UK Government, taking powers that are currently held by unelected EU bodies until the end of the Transition Period. This will allow the UK to invest in communities and businesses nationwide as we recover from coronavirus. This power will cover infrastructure, economic development, culture, sport and will support educational, training and exchange opportunities both within the UK and internationally – much of which were previously done at an EU level.

The Bill will also set out limited and reasonable steps to ensure that the government is always able to deliver on its commitments to the people of Northern Ireland. The UK Government remains fully committed to implementing the Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol.

However, at all stages we must, as a responsible Government, ensure that we have the ability to uphold our commitments to the people of Northern Ireland, preserve the huge gains of the peace process and protect Northern Ireland’s place in our United Kingdom – as set out in the Command Paper published in May.

Specifically, these provisions within the UKIM Bill will ensure that businesses based in Northern Ireland have true ‘unfettered access’ to the rest of the United Kingdom, without paperwork and ensure that there is no legal confusion about the fact that, while Northern Ireland will remain subject to the EU’s State Aid regime for the duration of the Protocol, GB will not be subject to EU rules in this area.

From 1 January 2021, powers in at least 70 policy areas previously exercised at an EU level will flow directly to the devolved administrations in Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont for the first time. This will give the devolved legislatures power over more issues than they have ever had before, including over air quality, energy efficiency of buildings and elements of employment law, without removing any of their current powers. In respecting the devolution settlements, every devolved power held at an EU level will be returned to the devolved legislatures.

Once the Transition Period ends, rules that have regulated how each home nation trades with each other over the past 45 years will fall away. Without urgent legislation to preserve the status quo of seamless internal trade, inconsistent standards, rules and regulations set in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland could create new barriers to trade between nations, unnecessary red tape for business and additional costs for consumers. Data shows that the combined total sales from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom were worth over £90 billion in 2018.

Today’s Bill will avoid this uncertainty for business by creating an open, fair and competitive market across the United Kingdom, ensuring regulations from one part of the country will be recognised in another. Each devolved administration will still be able to set their own standards as they do now, while also being able to benefit from the trade of businesses based anywhere in the UK.

More than 270 businesses, charities, academics and industry groups responded to a public consultation on the proposals, launched in July. Responses showed overwhelming support from businesses for the measures to avoid additional costs to doing business between different parts of the UK and providing vital certainty for firms from January 2021.

The UK Government has also laid out plans to establish an independent monitoring body, the Office for the Internal Market (OIM), to support the smooth running of trade between different parts of the United Kingdom. The body will sit within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and provide independent, technical advice to the devolved administrations on regulation that may damage the UK’s internal market. Any disagreements will be referred to respective legislatures for parliamentary debate, with the courts being the ultimate arbiter if required.

The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:

“This pivotal legislation will protect jobs and livelihoods across Northern Ireland, ensuring the smooth operating of the UK internal market.

“The Bill will guarantee we uphold our manifesto commitments to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland that they will continue to have unfettered access to the whole of the rest of the UK market after the end of the Transition Period.

“As a responsible Government it is also necessary for us to ensure there is a safety net in place which provides legal certainty that we can deliver on the commitments made to the people of Northern Ireland, protect the huge gains of the peace process and guarantee the free flow of trade across the entire United Kingdom.”

BEIS Secretary Alok Sharma MP

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

“The UK’s internal market is the cornerstone of our shared prosperity and delivers unparalleled economic growth across Northern Ireland and the Union.

“Today’s Bill will protect our highly integrated market by guaranteeing that companies can continue to trade unhindered in every part of the UK after the Transition Period ends and EU law falls away.

“By providing clarity over rules that will govern the UK economy after we take back control of our money and laws, we can increase investment and create new jobs in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom, while our maintaining world-leading standards for consumers, workers, food and the environment.

“Without these necessary reforms, the way we trade goods and services between the home nations could be seriously impacted, harming the way we do business within our own borders. Now is not the time to create uncertainty for business with new barriers and additional costs that would trash our chances of an economic recovery.”

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove MP

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Rt Hon Michael Gove, said: 

“The devolved administrations of the UK will enjoy a power surge when the Transition Period ends in December. Holyrood, Stormont and Cardiff Bay will soon have more powers than ever before and there will be no change to the powers the devolved administrations already have.

“This Bill will also give the UK Government new spending powers to drive our economic recovery from COVID-19 and support businesses and communities right across the UK.

“No longer will unelected EU bodies be spending our money on our behalf. These new spending powers will mean that these decisions will now be made in the UK, focus on UK priorities and be accountable to the UK Parliament and people of the UK.” 

Without this action to preserve the status quo of seamless domestic trade, businesses across the UK could face serious problems: a Welsh lamb producer could end up unable to sell their lamb in Scotland, or Scotch whisky producers could lose access to supply from English barley farmers. These proposals create certainty for businesses that might otherwise face a complex and increasingly fragmented regulatory environment.

The UK’s existing high standards across areas including environmental standards, workers’ rights, animal welfare and food standards will underpin the functioning of the Internal Market to protect consumers and workers across the economy. The UK Government is committed to maintaining high standards in these areas, including in all free trade agreement negotiations.

Source: Northern Ireland Office

Hospitality Ulster welcomes meeting with Executive Office Junior Ministers

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

Speaking after a meeting with Executive Office Junior Ministers Declan Kearney and Gordon Lyons, Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“We welcome the positive meeting we had today with Junior Ministers Kearney and Lyons.”

“We have put forward what we believe are enforceable measures to ensure the protection of public health and staff in the sector and believe progress can be made to reopen our traditional non-food pubs.”

“This is about ensuring we provide a Covid secure environment for everyone, whilst providing a consumer offering that will attract people back to all our pubs, restaurants and hotels and save the thousands of jobs and businesses in our industry that depend on them.”

“Our traditional non-food pubs must now be allowed to reopen and be given the chance to prove they can comply with the regulations like any other hospitality business.”

“This has been a long and hard road and the Executive must not delay one day more than is necessary to implement the new regulations as every day is costing jobs and livelihoods.’”