Analysis in progress: 96,271 of 97,621 records assessed (98.6%). Totals and rankings will change until it finishes. Progress details
Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Non-qualifying, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
106,978 records match, page 2411 of 4280.
Unfortunately, we do not know the costs. That is another of the problems that we have with the way in which the Government have announced the changes. When they were originally announced, we were told that they would save £5 billion across the UK, which, on a pro rata basis, would have been over £150 million for…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
I thank the Minister for his answers. Can the Minister indicate how much the changes are likely to cost Northern Ireland?
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Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Yes. I made my views on this known to the Secretary of State and to UK Government Ministers on a UK-wide call. The call was not specifically about this issue, but I used the opportunity to get my view across. I also feel that this will have increased anxiety, and, perhaps, in many cases, unnecessary anxiety, because…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Minister, do you accept that there are many people, particularly those whose mental health frailties make them vulnerable, for whom this announcement has exacerbated their anxieties? You mentioned, Minister, that you made your views known to the UK Government. Can you specifically…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
I understand that such concerns have been expressed. We are still trying to figure out all of the outworkings of what that will mean, but I hope that we will be able to provide all the support that we can to people in Northern Ireland who may find themselves affected. What we can do, we certainly will do on that.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, given the proposed abolition of the work capability assessment, what assurance can you offer people with conditions not captured by PIP, such as those receiving ongoing cancer treatment? Will they still be able to access universal credit support?
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Those are certainly points that I have raised with the UK Government. In addition, I have made clear the need for us to continue the work on the disability strategy and the disability-in-work plan. Many disabled people want to be in work, and that is what I mean when I say that we should break down barriers. It is…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
I thank the Minister for his answer. Since the announcement by the Labour Government, the community that has been the most disproportionately affected, maligned and attacked is the disabled community, which will, potentially, be most affected by the changes. Systemic difficulties are faced by many disabled people in…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
As an Executive, we have certainly have made our views clear to the UK Government. I have met the Secretary of State on the issue, and we will continue to make our views known, because there is a better way to reduce the welfare bill: by helping people rather than hurting them by taking money off them in the way that…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Does the Minister agree that those cuts are an attack on our most vulnerable and that, as an Assembly and an Executive, we should oppose them?
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
As I have said before, our research indicates that a rent cap would actually make things worse for people in Northern Ireland. I am not willing to place that burden on them.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Minister, hundreds of thousands of people will expect you not to do Labour's bidding by implementing the cuts. I hope that you will say today that you will not. Given the fact that there are no rent caps in the private rented sector, hundreds of millions of pounds from the welfare budget is going on private rented…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Almost anything is better than the steps that the Government have outlined. I believe that there is a way for us to reduce the welfare bill. We should all want to see that and try to, where possible, help people to get back into work. There are ways in which we can do that. Look at the impact of some of the successful…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Does the Minister feel that there is a better way in which to reform the welfare state? If so, what steps is he going to take to do that?
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
As I said, it will not be possible for us to mitigate them. However, we will take time to consider the impacts and see what, if any, actions we can take to make sure that we help those who are most in need.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
I thank the Minister for his response. He will understand that there is much anxiety and apprehension in the community because of the changes. Minister, will you outline what engagement you have had with your Executive colleagues about mitigating the welfare changes?
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will group questions 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 for answer. I understand people's shock and concern about all the changes and the uncertainty that they have caused. I do not know what the full impact for Northern Ireland will be at this time. My officials continue to work…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Benefit System Changes
No, I do not agree with the Member. There is a significant amount of investment across language and cultural issues in Northern Ireland, including the Irish language. There is significant investment in everything from the broadcast fund to Irish-medium education and cultural organisations. We heard reference to…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Grand Central Station: Bilingual Signage Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Grand Central Station: Bilingual Signage
It is more of a linguistic demand than a political agenda. I remind the Minister that within a short distance of the site there are three Gaelscoileanna and the Gaeltacht Quarter. Does the Minister agree that it is insulting to say to Irish speakers, "It's OK to speak Irish at home or in an Irish language school, but…
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Assessment details for Debate contribution: Grand Central Station: Bilingual Signage Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Grand Central Station: Bilingual Signage
It is important that we ask questions about all the issues. It is unclear why the decision has been made. Did the Minister make that decision and impose it on Translink? Did Translink make the decision under the direction of the Minister? Is there a justification? Many people will ask what the justification is for…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Grand Central Station: Bilingual Signage Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Grand Central Station: Bilingual Signage
Yes, absolutely. I am pleased to confirm that, certainly from a Northern Ireland and UK perspective, those benefits will not be impacted by any payment. We are having discussions with the Republic of Ireland to make sure of that, because we are conscious that there has been movement north and south. Some people who…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Philomena's Law Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Philomena's Law
I thank the deputy First Minister for the answer. The redress schemes were mentioned, and we need to ensure that any redress that is paid as a result of past abuse does not affect future benefit entitlements. If an update could be given on that, it would be much appreciated.
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Assessment details for Debate contribution: Philomena's Law Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Philomena's Law
I thank the Member for his question. That is important work for the Department. It is a sensitive piece of work, given what we are trying to achieve, and I am really pleased that we have been able to make some progress. The work that we are doing, particularly on the mother-and-baby homes, has been very much shaped by…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Philomena's Law Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Philomena's Law
Yes, of course. We have been clear that we want to see Northern Ireland thrive, and that does not mean just Belfast and the greater Belfast area. We represent different constituencies across this place, and I know that we will always fight for the best deal for all of our constituencies. The Member is absolutely…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Ebrington Plaza Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Ebrington Plaza
Gabhaim buíochas leis an leas-Chéad Aire as a freagra. Will she commit to working with her Executive partners to promote regional balance and promote places such as the north-west and other parts of the North as vibrant places in which to work, live and study?
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Assessment details for Debate contribution: Ebrington Plaza Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Ebrington Plaza
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