Debate contribution: Public Sector: Late Payments

Debate contribution by Mr Colin Crawford on 10 September 2024.

MLA: Mr Colin Crawford
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 10 September 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Public Sector: Late Payments
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4517800

Text

As I give my maiden speech today, I do so with a mixture of excitement, fear and humility, as well as knocking knees and shaky hands. First, I pay tribute to my predecessor, Mr Robin Swann MP. From being elected to this place in May 2011, Robin served the constituents of North Antrim consistently and with steadfast determination and loyalty. There is no doubt that I have big shoes to fill, or not so big. I wish Robin well as he takes up his new role in Westminster and wish him, his wife and his two kids God's richest and warmest blessings for the future. Over the past few weeks, there have been many reports and much speculation about the new Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim. For those who do not know me, my name is Colin Crawford. I am a proud Ballymena man through and through. I was born and raised in Harryville and want to make special mention of my two amazing parents, parents who have made countless sacrifices along the way to help shape the man I am today. I publicly thank my mum and dad, family and friends for all their continued encouragement and support, particularly over recent weeks. Before coming to Stormont, I worked for Northern Ireland's foremost bus builder, Wrightbus. Prior to that, I worked for Firmus Energy, and I bring with me real-life experience of the voluntary and community sector. Although I am only 39 years old — I kid you not — and some may think me inexperienced, I assure the amazing constituents of North Antrim that I am 100% focused on and dedicated to representing them as their Ulster Unionist MLA, and I look forward to meeting as many of them as possible over the weeks and months to come. Small to medium-sized enterprises are crucial to the Northern Ireland economy, They play a vital role in the supply chain of large manufacturers such as Wrightbus and are crucial to our voluntary and community sector. Late payment of invoices is a major source of unnecessary stress for those trying to operate such businesses. Late payment often causes a ripple effect down the supply chain, amplifying the problem. The Ulster Unionist Party, as per its local government manifesto in 2023, committed to acting to ensure that public-sector organisations such as schools, hospitals and Departments paid their bills promptly in order to alleviate such stress. We must say clearly to government suppliers that they must pay their supply chain on time or face losing future government contracts. It is only right that we say to the public sector that it must lead by example and make sure that suppliers are paid on time. The difference between waiting 60 days and waiting 90 days can make or break many small companies, so it is vital that the private and public sectors work better in that regard. I am pleased to support the motion on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party.

497 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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