Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr David Honeyford
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Colin McGrath
Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Gerry Carroll
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Jonathan Buckley

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Motion: The draft Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

The motion was not moved.

3.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Great British Energy Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension of the provisions of the Great British Energy Bill to Northern Ireland.

Minister for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion: Impact of the Universal Credit Five-Week Wait

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses regret that over 349,000 people are living in poverty; recognises that social welfare payments play an important role in helping people cope with financial difficulties; outlines its concern that over 71,000 households will be affected by the move to Universal Credit and consequent five-week wait; acknowledges that there is a strong connection between the five-week wait, debt and increased food bank use; expresses alarm on the potential link between the five-week wait and exploitation by illegal money lenders; calls on the Minister for Communities to introduce an upfront grant for families to cover basic living costs during the five-week wait, targeted to vulnerable households as a matter of urgency; and further calls on the Minister to establish a dedicated working group, including those with lived experience and the advice sector, to develop a long term solution to the five-week wait.

Mr Mark Durkan
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Matthew O’Toole

Amendment 1:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘illegal money lenders;’ and insert:

‘and calls on the Minister for Communities to rename and widen eligibility for the Universal Credit Contingency Fund and introduce a system of backdating for claimants’ first Universal Credit assessment period, in order to reduce and remove the five-week wait.’

Ms Sian Mulholland
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mr Andrew McMurray

Amendment 2:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘illegal money lenders;’ and insert:

‘recognises the importance of retaining the two-week run on legacy benefits, providing advance payments, and delivering an upfront, non-repayable grant for families to cover basic living costs during the five-week wait, targeted to low income and vulnerable households; and calls on the Minister for Communities to establish a dedicated working group, including those with lived experience and the advice sector, to inform his Department’s engagement with the UK Government on the development a long term solution to the five-week wait.’

Mr Brian Kingston
Mr Maurice Bradley

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 was made.

As amendment 1 was made, the question was not put on amendment 2.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4.2 Motion: Inheritance Tax Changes Impacting Family Farms

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges concerns about inheritance tax changes impacting family farms; recognises the financial pressures on farming families due to inflation, rising living costs, and economic uncertainty; highlights that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ analysis shows that half of all farms, accounting for 80 per cent of farmed land, could be affected by the inheritance tax changes announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2024; further highlights that the increase in average land value estimates from £15,000 per acre to £21,000 per acre, as calculated by this analysis, raises the number of farms impacted by these changes; understands that these changes threaten the viability of family farms that contribute significantly to our agricultural output; and calls on the Executive to actively lobby the British Government in advance of the upcoming Spring Statement 2025, to secure the urgent reversal of these changes ensuring the protection and sustainability of family farms.

Mr Declan McAleer
Miss Nicola Brogan
Miss Áine Murphy

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion: Inheritance Tax Changes Impacting Family Farms (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Ministerial Statement

7.1 Tackling Fraud and Error in the Welfare System

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding Tackling Fraud and Error in the Welfare System, following which he replied to questions.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Peter McReynolds spoke to his topic regarding the Waste Water Infrastructure in East Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.09pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
11 February 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 February 2025.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

For Information Only

SR 2025/19 The Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for the Economy)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Thirty First Report (NIA 75/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

National Lottery Community Fund/Big Lottery Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24 - (Department of Finance)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills
First Stage: Introduction of Bill.
Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.
Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.
Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.
Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.
Royal Assent.

Proceedings as 11 February 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage