Implement emergency financial package and a Government / Industry Covid Response Group NOW demands Hospitality Ulster as sector forced to close for greater good

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster has said that the lockdown measures signed off by the Executive and Assembly today will be a complete disaster if it does not come with an immediate emergency financial package to cover all costs of the sector now that it has been forced to shut.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster reacted:

“This is a situation that we have worked so hard to avoid by doing everything in our power as a sector to ensure we are not the cause of the community spread of the coronavirus.”

“The hospitality sector has led the campaign to implement legally enforceable Covid regulations and has taken blow after blow financially as more and more restrictions have been put in place by the NI Executive.” 

“Let me be clear, now that this lockdown had been signed off, all costs of the sector need to be covered by the government to ensure our people have food on their tables and as many businesses as possible can be preserved.” 

“Unfortunately, it is clear that there will be total business failure for many and a whole host redundancies across the sector. Many businesses do not have the money to pay redundancies and will be forced into bankruptcy when faced with the bill.” 

“The Executive must serve to underwrite this decision and take on the financial responsibility for specifically shutting down the hospitality sector. We don’t want to see a financial gesture, but a significant payment made to all those in the sector that have had their means of making a living stripped away from them for the greater good.”

“With hospitality on the front line of this crisis, we are also calling for the immediate establishment of a joint Government / Industry Covid response group led by the two Junior Ministers who have responsibility for the Covid regulations. We cannot take anymore Covid regulations without industry representation at the table.” 

“I cannot overstate the seriousness of this situation, tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses are now in free fall.”

NILGA welcomes fresh engagement on UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Derek McCallan, CEO, NILGA

Commenting after today’s evidence session on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, NILGA Chief Executive Derek McCallan said:

“The evidence provided today from our local government colleague Suzanne Wylie, CEO, Belfast City Council, endorsed by NILGA, highlighted the positive impact EU Structural Funds have had in Northern Ireland over the past twenty years. As a region, Northern Ireland continues to lag behind the other UK and European regions on several economic measures and the purpose of these funds has been to reduce regional disparities in income, wealth and provide opportunities for businesses and communities across this region.

“EU funding has had a considerable and profound impact on the local economy here. Since 2014, the 11 local authorities in collaboration with partner councils and the third sector have delivered substantial local economic development projects totalling over £14million and councils continue to be our closest link within local communities. Therefore, they should have a greater role in ensuring that any new local interventions or programmes are aligned to community plans as set our in the Executive priorities in the Programme for Government.

“For the Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver for our region, it is essential it has local input. With the ongoing delays, it is unlikely to be operational until April 2021, diminishing the opportunity for meaningful consultation with local government and partners into its design. Having engaged with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government almost two years ago regarding the priorities for the Shared Prosperity Fund, NILGA and SOLACE have had no further update with the expected consultation postponed several times due to Brexit, Covid and now the Comprehensive Spending Review.

“NILGA has repeatedly been asking for clarity on this fund and there is an opportunity now to undertake the preparatory work within Northern Ireland. Councils are ready and willing to play their part as partners in government and we hope that today’s meeting with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will be the start of that engagement, which we will take forward through the Partnership Panel mechanism.”

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 12 October

Forward Look

• The Electoral Commission is seeking to appoint a Commissioner for Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of the organisation in NI. Deadline for applications is 14 October.

• Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney TD is expected to bring a Brexit omnibus Bill to the Dáil in the coming weeks. The Bill is to prepare Ireland for the changes that will follow after the transition period ends. It will consist of 21 parts under the remit of 11 Ministers. The Minister told the Oireachtas Committee for European Affairs that a specialised Committee on Northern Ireland will meet today to discuss the Internal Markets Bill, Brexit and its implications for Ireland.

• Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon MLA and Irish Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD have agreed to progress the feasibility survey for a high speed rail network connecting Derry – Belfast – Dublin – Cork. This will build upon the commitment made for a study in New Decade, New Approach.

• Sinn Fein MLAs will bring forward a Private Members Motion calling on the EU to require the British Government to fully implement the Northern Ireland Protocol on Monday 12 October.

• Question Time for the First and deputy First Minster, and DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA will take place on Monday 12 October. The Economy and Communities Ministers will take questions on Tuesday 13 October.

• The Infrastructure Committee will hear a Brexit briefing from Departmental Officials on Wednesday 14 October.

• The Department of Health’s Chief Digital Information Officer, Dan West will brief the Health Committee on the Test and Trace system on Thursday 15 October.

• The Public Accounts Committee will hear evidence from Department of Education’s Permanent Secretary, Derek Baker on the NI Audit Office’s Special Educational Needs Impact Report on Thursday 15 October.

• Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA told The Executive Office Committee that the Interim Advocate’s report into Historical Institutional Abuse will be published on Friday 16 October.

• The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee will hear evidence from Alan McDowell, Vice-President of NILGA, David Badington, Director of Action Mental Health, and Roger Pollen of FSB NI on the inquiry into the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on Wednesday 13 October.

• Irish Finance Minister, Pascal Donohoe TD will deliver the Budget to the Dáil on Tuesday 13 October.

• The APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling will meet on Wednesday 14 October.

• Health Committee Chair, Colm Gildernew MLA has launched a survey to ascertain the public’s views and experiences of the NI Covid-19 testing process.

• The Northern Ireland Office has opened competition to appoint a member to the Boundary Commission for NI. Applications close on 14 October.

• A competition has been launched to appoint the Chair, Vice-Chair and three board members to the NII Arts Council by the Department for Communities. Deadline for applications is 30 October.

• The first stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment Bill) is due to take place on Monday 19 October, subject to agreement of the Speaker.

• The DUP have launched a policy consultation paper entitled ‘The Next Generation: Inter-Generational and Youth Policy in Northern Ireland’s New Century.’ Deadline for submissions is Monday 2 November. To respond: LINK

• TEDxStormont will host ‘Countdown’ on Saturday 10 October. Speakers include Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA, NI born artist, Oliver Jeffers, and Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall. Further information here.

• Belfast Film Festival and its sister festival DOCS Ireland will run throughout November and will unveil a series of premieres including the world premiere of a new documentary, Martin McGuinness: I Fought, I made Peace, I made Politics. Further information and the full programme of events can be found: LINK

Other Stories this week

• Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA joined with his Scottish and Welsh counterparts in a letter to ask the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP for more fiscal flexibility to combat the impact of Covid-19.

• The Finance Minister also announced a funding package for the hospitality sector in the North-West due to the imposed restrictions in Derry and Strabane Council area. The package will give small business £800 over two weeks and larger businesses £1,200.

• Fiona Ryan has been named Commissioner for Victims of Historical Abuse by The Executive Office. Ms Ryan is currently Chief Executive of Irish domestic abuse charity, Sonas.

• The Irish Government published the draft Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 which sets out the Government’s intentions to move to a climate resilient and climate neutral economy by 2050.

• Health Minister Robin Swann MLA published the Department of Health’s Surge Planning Strategic Framework for the next wave of the pandemic on Tuesday. To read the framework: LINK

• A new All-Party Group for Small and Micro Businesses has been established. John Stewart MLA will Chair the group with SDLP MP Sinead McLaughlin acting as Vice-Chair. A second new APG on Fair Banking and Finance  held its first meeting on Thursday with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown discussing the need for more aid from the UK Government to devolved nations for economic recovery. The APG will be chaired by Pat Catney MLA.

• Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has appointed former journalist Allegra Stratton as No.10 Press Secretary.

• Trade Union Unite has cut its funding of the Labour Party by 10% in response to the direction leader Sir Keir Starmer is taking the party.

• BBC Northern Ireland announced that four senior journalists, Maggie Taggart, Mervyn Jess, Kevin Magee and Political Editor Mark Devenport will take voluntary redundancy.

• Belfast City Council launched a new awareness and engagement programme with a focus on positioning Belfast to take advantage of opportunities to drive investment and support inclusive economic recovery. The programme entitled ‘Ambition Renewed’ is led by a taskforce chaired by Joe O’Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour and consists of a number of public and private body stakeholders.

• Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has been reappointed as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Egypt.

Upcoming key political and business events

• 10 October, Countdown, TEDxStormont

• 14 October, Business Engagement Session with Minister Poots, DEARA IoD NI and Phoenix Natural Gas

• 23 October, The Future of Skills, NI Chamber of Commerce

• 5 November, Voices of Leadership, Women in Business

• 27 November, An audience with Northern Ireland’s Political Leaders – One Year On CBI Northern Ireland

Consultations                                                                                                                   

• Trade Union Freedom Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.

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

• Expert Panel on Educational Underachievement Online Survey Department of Education. Deadline 16 October.

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

• New SEN Regulations Department of Education. Deadline 22 December.

• Public Realm Project Department for Communities. Deadline 22 December.

Belfast Film Festival and Docs Ireland bounce back with a month of movies

Director of Belfast Film Festival Michele Devlin with filmmakers Brendan Mullin, Chris Baugh, Alison Millar and Cathy Brady.

Belfast Film Festival and its sister documentary festival, Docs Ireland will both take place this November after being postponed earlier in the year.

The two festivals will run across the month of November and will unveil a series of premieres including the world premiere of a new documentary, Martin McGuinness: I Fought, I made Peace, I made Politics, and the second feature film from the talented team behind Bad Day for the Cut.

All Belfast Film Festival and Docs Ireland ‘in person’ events will be strictly managed and will take place in line with the latest Covid-19 public health guidance and restrictions. This will include the requirements for online bookings, limits on numbers at events to ensure social distancing is enforced, as well as the use of face masks, temperature checks and hand sanitiser at all locations. The festival organisers request that anyone attending planned events strictly follow and respect all of these measures.

The 20TH BELFAST FILM FESTIVAL will include premiere Wildfire, the accomplished debut film of Cathy Brady, an emotionally stirring tale of two sisters struggling to emerge from a traumatic past, starring the late Nika McGuigan.

The team behind Bad Day for the Cut will also return with their second feature film, Boys from County Hell.  This raucous crowd-pleaser packed with sharp humour, lovable characters, and bloody special effects, is one of best horror-comedies of recent years. 

For those who want to enjoy the festival from the comfort of their own homes, there is a wider range of online events including interviews with John Lloyd, best known for his work on comedy television programmes Not the Nine O’Clock News, Spitting Image, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder and QI. Director Edgar Wright, known for his work on TV show Spaced, and films Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, will also talk with Mark Cousins about his cinematic inspirations. 

Director of Belfast Film Festival, Michele Devlin said:

“In March we were poised for delivery of the festival, but this new Covid-19 world halted us in our tracks. It is no exaggeration to say we are thrilled to be able to now deliver both festivals in November. We hope to captivate audiences once again, in person and online, with a month of exciting guests, some of the best of new Irish film, and a few wee surprises.

“Belfast Film Festival has been running for twenty years and it is a cornerstone of the city’s arts calendar. Our ability to cultivate a local film industry is something we will continue to nurture for future generations of filmmaking talent.

“This is also the second year of our documentary festival Docs Ireland and it’s fair to say that the documentaries we will show this year are some of the best and most provocative I have seen. The international appetite for feature length documentary films is huge, and we on this small island have much to offer. The second Docs Ireland will be slightly different, but there is no doubt it will stimulate debate and discussion on a broad range of issues.

“We are mindful that whilst this year’s festivals will go ahead, they will do so in very particular circumstances. The health and safety of our audience is paramount and we have in place a number of safety measures to ensure that everyone stays safe. These include online booking and cashless systems, temperature checks and sanitisers at all venues and greatly reduced numbers inside movie theatres to enable social distancing. Those attending our events must also wear face masks. We would ask that anyone who plans to attend any of our ‘in person’ events’ is patient with staff and respectful of these measures, which are there to ensure everyone can enjoy the experience safely.”

The second annual DOCS IRELAND festival will focus on this year’s illuminating Irish documentary films and will open with The 8th, an inspiring and moving film tracing Ireland’s campaign to remove the 8th Amendment – a constitutional ban on abortion.

True crime fans will be fascinated with Des Henderson’s Lost Boys: Belfast’s Missing Children, which takes a forensic look at several child disappearances in 1970s Belfast. 

Award-winning Director Alison Millar will also host an online work-in-progress event with clips and insights into her brand-new film chronicling the influential life of the murdered journalist Lyra McKee.

Chair of Belfast Film Festival, Mark Cousins said:

“Can we wind the clock back, please, to when we could just show up at a cinema, or pile into a pub? To a time before the news cycle was as addictive as sugar? 

“No. But we can remember what nourished us and got people through previous emergencies: Stories, culture, invention. 

“In 2020 our programming team has tried to find stories, culture and invention. Last year the Belfast Film Festival had one of its biggest events – The Aamir Khan masterclass at the Waterfront – and we launched Docs Ireland which, in year one, captured a great moment in non-fiction film.   

“We wanted to build on these, but then our building fell down. And so, we’ve been rebuilding. Belfast people are good at rebuilding. So, if you live in Belfast or further afield, let us entertain you in days like these. We’ve got films that are fun in themselves, or which give some perspective on us, or what’s happening.” 

Docs Ireland will run from 9th – 14th November and other highlights include:

• Emerging talent Grace Sweeney’s first feature film, The Sheriff, explores several local sheriff elections in small US towns.

• Filmmaker Pat Collins’ film Henry Glassie: Field Work 

• Revered filmmaker Trevor Birney’s new film, The Dakota Entrapment Tapes.

Belfast Film Festival will run from 16th – 28th November and other highlights include:

• Kim Newman will delve into the history of horror movies in conversation with Robert Simpson.

Both festivals are sponsored this year by NI Screen, Belfast City Council, Department For Communities, BFI FAN, TG4, Arts & Business, Yellowmoon, Film Hub NI, BBC Northern Ireland. Partners for this year’s festival include Brown O’ Connor Communications, BBC Digital Cities, Cork Film Festival, Foyle Film Festival, Third Source, Into Film and Hastings Hotel.

The festival will take place at a number of venues including the Odeon, QFT, Moviehouse, Black Box and Strand Arts Centre.

Programme and ticket information on both festivals can be found at belfastfilmfestival.org

Derry Chamber welcomes hospitality grants but say much more is needed

Derry Chamber Chief Executive Paul Clancy

Commenting on the creation of the Grant Support Scheme for North West hospitality businesses, Londonderry Chamber Chief Executive Paul Clancy said:

“Any and all funds for our hospitality businesses, which stand to be among the worst affected by the new restrictions in the North West, are welcome and we are grateful that the Finance Minister has acted swiftly to get vital funds to these businesses. The Department of Finance must now work quickly to ensure money reaches these businesses as soon as possible.

“However, we have to be realistic and recognise that this scheme is merely a drop in the ocean in terms of the support which is truly needed to save our regional economy and firms beyond the hospitality industry. Greater financial support and grants are urgently needed and I hope that today’s scheme is just the first in a suite of measures. The end of the furlough scheme at the end of the month presents a grave challenge for businesses of all shapes and sizes and unless the UK Government urgently brings forward further support measures, we are going to see thousands of redundancies.

“Viable businesses will be lost forever and the poverty this will create will also massively affect lives and create significant challenges. We are again urging everyone in the North West to minimise their social contacts and follow the basic rules of regular handwashing, social distancing, and mask wearing. We are also urging the Executive to continue to press Westminster for financial intervention and more support measures before the damage becomes irreversible.”

‘You Are Not Alone’ is the message of support from the hospitality industry as it calls for an urgent survival package for Derry City and Strabane hospitality businesses

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

In an urgent plea, Hospitality Ulster has called on the NI Executive to immediately provide a financial survival package to save jobs and businesses across the North West.

Hospitality Ulster has stated that the entire hospitality industry stands with their colleagues in Derry and Strabane sending out the message ‘You Are Not Alone’ and calls on the NI Executive to immediately provide a financial survival package to save hospitality jobs and businesses in the North West.

Like everyone else, we are concerned about the continuing rise in infection levels across the North West, but we are also very concerned about the people that depend on our industry to put bread on their tables.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“Our industry faces many challenges across the province - sustainability being one of them. The hospitality industry in Derry and Strabane is fighting for its survival today as restrictions are now in place that effectively amount to a lockdown of the sector.”

“Hospitality employees and businesses in the North West are effectively back to the same place they were at start of this crisis in March - when they were only saved by financial interventions from Westminster and the NI Executive.”

“Government must immediately put in place a financial survival package for those impacted today. This package needs to be substantial and represent the significant amount of money that will be lost in the next two weeks in the North West.”

“The hospitality sector in the Derry and Strabane council area was already under extreme pressure with many only really given the opportunity to open last week. They haven’t even had a chance. Allowing only 15 people max outdoors gives the illusion that the sector is open, but the stark reality is that it cannot and has effectively been given no option but to be better off shut.”

“We need to ensure that support is delivered straight away as many of the hospitality businesses owners have seen no personal financial support throughout this crisis, with previous grants going towards fixed overhead costs related to the premises. They simply do not have the money to contribute to the furlough scheme for their staff never mind putting bread on their own table.”

“The North West has an economic disaster on its hands and it is imperative for those in the sector to get immediate aid and support. This is not a time for procrastination. We need money and support directed to those in the industry who are rapidly losing hope for their businesses and their employees at the front end of the newly imposed restrictions across the council area.”

Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland sets sights on Australian and New Zealand markets

Andrew Jenkins, Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland

Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland, Andrew Jenkins has reinforced the attractive proposition which Northern Ireland is to overseas investors.

Envoy Jenkins took part in a webinar which was hosted by Invest NI aimed at Australian and New Zealand tech companies which are seeking to expand to the UK and European markets. Other panellists included Peter Hendrikssen, Regional Trade & Investment Director, Invest NI; Roger Gregg, Founder, The Lightyear Corporation; and Ravi Rughani, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Anson McCade Recruiting.

This session explored the different components of Northern Ireland’s unique fintech eco-system, and the incentives available for Australian and New Zealand technology companies seeking to expand here.

With Northern Ireland recently named the world’s number one destination for fintech development investment projects, Belfast named the top city in Europe for new FDI software development projects, and in the top 10 European Tech Cities for the Future, there is significant potential to harness this growing reputation which can drive economic recovery locally.

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.    

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

“I want to thank Peter and the Invest NI Team in Sydney for inviting me to be part of this important panel. In fintech, we have a sector in Northern Ireland to be really proud of and one which holds even greater potential. This webinar was a great opportunity to talk about the opportunities which exist locally to potential investors in Australia and New Zealand, as well as hearing about what’s important to them.”

“There are many factors which contribute to Northern Ireland’s attractiveness, not least a broad and diverse ecosystem, as well as the combination of world-class talent, strong infrastructure, cost-effectiveness, and a supportive business environment. By harnessing these strengths and continuing to invest for the future, we have a really strong value proposition.”

“With the end of the Brexit transition period fast approaching, it is crucial that we do everything to reduce regulatory barriers and support international expansion in a post-Brexit world. Now more than ever, I want to help Northern Ireland fintech companies and clusters reach their full potential and I am keen to develop these overseas links even further.”

Derry Businesses Will Need Urgent Support To Get Through New COVID Restrictions

Redmond McFadden, President, Londonderry Chamber

The President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce has called on the NI Executive to urgently clarify what COVID support measures will be available for North West businesses.

The Chamber says that new restrictions announced by the Executive yesterday will mean the serious curtailing of business activity in the North West and will badly hit the hospitality and tourism sector in one of its busiest months.

With the cancellation of Halloween festivities and the move to make all hospitality services outdoor, takeaway and delivery services, businesses in the North West stand to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue.

The Chamber is calling on local Ministers to outline what support they will bring forward to avoid business closures and thousands of redundancies.

President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Redmond McFadden said:

“These new restrictions are the last thing we wanted to hear and will have a deep and profound impact on businesses in Derry and the wider North West region.

“Whilst we understand why they are necessary, it is going to be desperately hard for businesses to make this work and get through this without a serious injection of financial support measures.

“Derry is a global destination at Halloween so to have these restrictions come into force at the same time is a body blow to local hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs and visitor attractions. This in turn will impact on our retail sector with a huge drop in footfall, and the wider supply chain network. It is hard to imagine this coming at a worse time, particularly when consumer confidence was starting to grow again.

“The Executive must put in place support measures to allow businesses here a fighting chance. Otherwise it will be lights out for many of them and the possibility of thousands of redundancies in a region that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the UK.

“Whilst the primary concern will be for public safety, we would urge everyone in the region to please follow public safety guidance and act responsibly. It will only be by the collective efforts of all of us working together that this virus will be driven down again.

“It is now paramount that the NI Executive clarifies exactly what sort of support measures will be available to local businesses at this time and I will be making the case for urgent support in meetings with Executive Ministers and local representatives today.

“I would also remind businesses in the region that the furlough scheme remains in place until the end of October and bounce back business loans are open until the end of November. It is imperative that businesses make use of what is available to them now.”

President of Londonderry Chamber Reacts To New Restrictions

Redmond McFadden, President, Londonderry Chamber

Responding to the Executive’s announcement of new restrictions for the Derry and Strabane area, Londonderry Chamber President Redmond McFadden said:

"This is a bitterly disappointing step that the Executive has been forced to take to curb the virus spread across the North West. The dramatic spike in cases over recent weeks has been deeply concerning for everyone in our region and we support the Executive in taking steps necessary to save lives, protect the public and support our health service. However we have to acknowledge that the consequences of these measures will mean greater pressures on our already struggling businesses and may sadly lead to business closures and job losses, particularly in the hospitality sector.

“This virus poses a real and dangerous threat to both our society and economy, and is being spread by the carelessness of individuals. These new restrictions need to act as a wakeup call for all of us across the North West and I am pleading with everyone in our communities to take this threat seriously. We all need to abide by the basic rules of social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and minimising our social contacts as much as possible.

As we go into what will undoubtedly be a very tough winter period, everyone needs to pull together again now and play their part to drive this virus back down, as the North West did at the beginning of the pandemic. This is an opportunity to suppress the virus again and, if we do this correctly, we can avoid greater restrictions or harsher lockdowns in the coming weeks and months. Everyone following the rules and acting responsibly will lead to a drop in cases, allow us to protect our most vulnerable, and keep our local businesses open.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead Week Commencing 5 October 2020

Forward Look

• The Executive has imposed new restrictions on the Derry and Strabane Council area which will come into force from next week onwards and stay in place for at least two weeks.

• According to First Minister Arlene Foster MLA, the appointment process for the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Abuse is in its “final stages”. A formal announcement is expected next week.

• Following last week’s announcement of extra funding, Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has stated the Executive will retain a central fund of £55.2 million to allow for additional COVID-related bids from departments, including for airports and the development of a scheme for the taxi and coach sectors.

• The European Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to the UK for breach of its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement. The UK Government has one month to respond. 

• The Office of the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has begun the recruitment process for a new head of the Court of Appeal NI. The appointment is due to be made this autumn.

• The Department of Justice will publish a report next week summarising the findings of a consultation into the effectiveness of current child sexual exploitation legislation. New legislative protections will form part of a new Miscellaneous Bill.

• The Department of Justice has also revealed that agreement over the job descriptions and terms for the Victims’ Payments Board is at a “well advanced” stage. Once agreed, this will allow the NI Judicial Appointments Commission to proceed to make appointments to the board.

• Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has extended temporary legislation to allow major planning applications to go ahead without the need for public events as part of the pre-application consultation. This is due to expire next March.

• Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has extended an emergency provision for business tenancies to protect businesses from the threat of eviction due to non-payment of rent until 31 December 2020.

• The Department of Finance is also recruiting a Director of Public Procurement. Applications will remain open until Friday 16 October.

• The Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has stated that her department is currently developing a proposal to explore geothermal heat as part of new energy commitments. A public consultation on alternative energy will open in March 2021.

• Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA has said she is committed to bringing forward legislation to outlaw conversion therapy as soon as possible.

• The Education Committee will meet on Wednesday 7 October to hear a briefing from Minister Weir MLA on the restart of schools.

• The Economy Committee will also meet on Wednesday 7 October to hear a briefing from Invest NI on COVID-19 response.

• The Communities Committee will meet on Thursday 8 October to hear a departmental briefing on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.

• The DAERA Committee will hear evidence from Foyle Port on Thursday 8 October on the preparedness of NI ports for Brexit.

• The Assembly will debate a motion brought forward by Sinn Féin on the UK Government’s Internal Market Bill and its implications for international law on Monday 5 October.

• Question Time for the Health Minister and Finance Minister will take place on Monday 5 October from 2pm. Questions to the Infrastructure Minister and Justice Minister will take place on 6 October.

• The All-Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling is currently accepting written submissions on changes to current gambling legislation and will remain open until 6 November. This is in conjunction with the Department for Communities currently considering proposals for changes to the legislation.

• The All-Party Group on Social Enterprise will meet virtually on Tuesday 6 October.

• Fra McCann MLA is currently preparing to bring forward a private members’ bill on parking charges at hospitals for healthcare workers.

• TEDxStormont will host ‘Countdown’ on Saturday 10 October. The global initiative will champion and accelerate solutions to the global climate crisis. Speakers include Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA, SONI Managing Director Jo Aston and Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall.

Other Stories this week

• The NI Executive has imposed a curfew on the hospitality sector to ensure that all pubs and restaurants close at 11pm with last orders no later than 10.30pm.

• The NI Audit Office has stated that an overhaul of Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding is required with the current £300 million spent annually labelled “not financially sustainable”.

• Education Minister Peter Weir MLA has announced extra funding of £7.5 million to deliver additional funding for SEN schools.

• The Department for the Economy has opened an Apprenticeship Challenge Fund offering organisations one-off payments of up to £100,000. The scheme will remain open until 23 October.

• An All-Party Group on Women’s Health has been established. Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn will be its chair and DUP MLA Pam Cameron will be its deputy chair.

• Digital Innovation Commissioner Dr Jayne Brady MBE has been appointed to the new UK Innovation Expert Group. The group’s aim is to look at ways of increasing productivity through technology and innovation.

• Belfast City Council working with the Department for Communities has announced a £3 million revitalisation fund to support the recovery of businesses, communities and the vulnerable in the city.

• Fine Gael Senator and former Finance Junior Minister Michael D’Arcy has announced he is leaving politics to become chief executive of the Irish Association of Investment Management. Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has since announced legislation to ensure that ministers leaving politics for financial positions can be subject to investigation.

• The UK Government’s Internal Market Bill passed through the House of Commons this week. It will pass to the House of Lords for scrutiny once timetabling is agreed.

• The European Commission has set out a proposal determining which goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland should be subject to tariffs and which should not. The UK Government is currently developing a statutory instrument to clarify its position.

Upcoming key political and business events

• 8 – 9 October, NICON20, NHS Confederation

• 10 October, Countdown, TEDxStormont

• 23 October, The Future of Skills, NI Chamber of Commerce

• 5 November, Voices of Leadership, Women in Business

Consultations

• Trade Union Freedom Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.

• Autism Private Members Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.

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

• Expert Panel on Educational Underachievement Online Survey Department of Education. Deadline 16 October.

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

• New SEN Regulations Department of Education. Deadline 22 December.

• Public Realm Project Department for Communities. Deadline 22 December.