Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
The support for domestic ratepayers is wide-ranging. It includes housing benefit for non-working-age citizens; low-income rate relief for non-working-age citizens; lone pensioner allowance for those over the age of 70; farmhouse allowance; the exemption for a clergyperson; early payment discounts; landlords'…
The Member will be aware of the work of the Fiscal Commission. It is continuing its work to gather evidence on Barnett consequentials and how this place should be funded. I would like one of that body's next phases of work to be looking at how we devolve further taxation powers to the Executive. In doing so, we will…
Thank you, Minister, for your answer. Corporate profits are at record levels. What discussions have taken place in your new Department or at the Executive to move ahead with devolving corporation tax in order to raise it to take account of those record corporate profits?
Public consultation is one of the fundamental steps in ensuring that any proposed measures are fair and equitable. My Department is engaging in a process of consultation on domestic policy proposals, building upon last year’s work. That launched on 29 January and is accompanied by associated impact-screening work. The…
Members will be aware that, as a result of the work of my predecessor and others, the Executive have spending at the 124% needs-based factor, which is applied to the Barnett consequentials. The application of the 124% needs-based factor in the interim fiscal framework has resulted in an additional £431·4 million of…
Instability in politics certainly does not help in delivering our public services or any cause. We should all be focused on honouring and delivering the agreements that we have signed up to and which created this place. That will give us the best course for stability.
The Member will be aware that the Programme for Government will be set by the Executive. I look forward to the publication of that important document. However, that process does not prevent, and has never prevented, the Executive from publishing a multi-year Budget. We have to align with the Treasury spend. If…
Does the Minister agree that the task of producing a multi-year Budget is made more difficult by the absence of a costed Programme for Government and that such a cycle of multi-year Budgets would assist in the delivery of long-term strategies, particularly in Health?
The previous time that the Executive were in a position to set a multi-year Budget was for the 2011-15 Budget. The Executive can only set a Budget to reflect the period covered by the spending review announced by the Treasury. That is why there are single-year Budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The next phase of the…
I thank the Member for his question. As we have said clearly in this place before, we must all stand united against the scourge of paramilitarism. There was never any justification for terrorism or paramilitarism. There is no role for it today, in 2025, just as there was no role for it here at any time over the past…
I am pleased that the issue has been prioritised in the Programme for Government. We want to make it clear that it is a priority for us. Every single act of violence towards a woman or a girl, and every death of a woman or a girl as a result of that violence, is wrong and needs to stop. We want to do everything that…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Does she agree that, although the strategy is most definitely a positive first step, we must continue to make ending violence against women and girls a top priority?
I thank the Member for her question. As the First Minister and I have indicated since we took up our respective posts just over a year ago, it is an area of key importance for us. We want to deliver not just the strategy but the framework, because that is where the action is. I am really pleased that the change funds…
Absolutely. The Member will be aware that we have supported the call for evidence so that people can come forward and tell their personal story. It is an opportunity for people to tell of their lived experience. I have no doubt that it will be very difficult for some people to go through the process, but it is such an…
I thank the Member for his important question. He will be aware that work is ongoing in that area. I pay huge tribute to all those who have worked so hard to get it to this point. I know that, for some, it is a point of frustration, but, of course, there are many different elements that were recommended in the…
It is incredibly important not only that our public appointments are independent and based on merit but that there is a strong perception that they are; indeed, we have to have those discussions about whether the process for public appointments is fit for purpose. It takes a hugely long time for public appointments to…
I thank the Member for her question. We are considering the proposals at the moment, and we hope to go out with the advertisement for the role very shortly.
Absolutely. As indicated, the UK Government need to scrap the tax. It is a farm tax on farming families. Instead of taxing our farmers even further, the Government need to stand up for them and make sure that they can continue to do the hard and great job that they do to support every one of us across Northern Ireland.
Will the deputy First Minister commit again today to working alongside the First Minister and the entire Executive to press for the proposals to be scrapped?
I welcome the Member to her place and thank her for the topical question. Absolutely: there are serious concerns in the farming community. All of us around this place have listened to the concerns articulated by our hard-working farmers and farming families. We have a strong and honourable tradition of family farming…