Menu
03/06/2021
Boris Johnson To Chair Coronavirus Recovery Summit
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to chair a coronavirus recovery summit with the leaders of the devolved nations later on today, 03 June.
The meeting was due to take place last week but was postponed after the first ministers of Wales and Scotland pulled out because they wanted it to be a “meaningful discussion with substantive outcomes”.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister asking for more substance and clarity about the summit.
Ahead of the summit, the Scottish First Minister has called on the UK Government to extend furlough again.
She said: "We have done everything we can with the limited powers we have to tackle inequality and mitigate the impact the pandemic has had on people’s livelihoods, but we cannot allow that to be eroded as we enter the next phase of living with the virus.
"A return to the pre-pandemic austerity would be disastrous for jobs, for public services and for people and families across Scotland.
"As the UK Government hold the key financial levers to help us recover from this, I will be calling on it to commit to maintain public spending during the period of recovery, and to extend the furlough scheme for as long as it is needed to protect businesses and people who have been required to stop working to protect others, and I will be emphasising that it is managed sensitively in a way that supports longer-term recovery.
"I've been given assurances that this will be a meaningful discussion, and it must be. Working to recover from Covid cannot be a PR exercise – it must be a collaborative process that properly respects the devolution settlement.
"The Scottish Government requires certainty over funding. Without it, people across Scotland who have had to endure so much these past 14 months would lack the reassurance that their jobs are protected, and their public services will continue to be funded to an appropriate level, whatever the virus has in store – that is the bare minimum of our expectations.
"For this summit to be in any way productive, all UK nations must work collaboratively. As part of that, the UK Government needs to ensure meaningful engagement with the devolved administrations on the negotiation and governance of trade deals, and to respect the devolved Parliaments by not diverting money to be spent by UK ministers."
The meeting was due to take place last week but was postponed after the first ministers of Wales and Scotland pulled out because they wanted it to be a “meaningful discussion with substantive outcomes”.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister asking for more substance and clarity about the summit.
Ahead of the summit, the Scottish First Minister has called on the UK Government to extend furlough again.
She said: "We have done everything we can with the limited powers we have to tackle inequality and mitigate the impact the pandemic has had on people’s livelihoods, but we cannot allow that to be eroded as we enter the next phase of living with the virus.
"A return to the pre-pandemic austerity would be disastrous for jobs, for public services and for people and families across Scotland.
"As the UK Government hold the key financial levers to help us recover from this, I will be calling on it to commit to maintain public spending during the period of recovery, and to extend the furlough scheme for as long as it is needed to protect businesses and people who have been required to stop working to protect others, and I will be emphasising that it is managed sensitively in a way that supports longer-term recovery.
"I've been given assurances that this will be a meaningful discussion, and it must be. Working to recover from Covid cannot be a PR exercise – it must be a collaborative process that properly respects the devolution settlement.
"The Scottish Government requires certainty over funding. Without it, people across Scotland who have had to endure so much these past 14 months would lack the reassurance that their jobs are protected, and their public services will continue to be funded to an appropriate level, whatever the virus has in store – that is the bare minimum of our expectations.
"For this summit to be in any way productive, all UK nations must work collaboratively. As part of that, the UK Government needs to ensure meaningful engagement with the devolved administrations on the negotiation and governance of trade deals, and to respect the devolved Parliaments by not diverting money to be spent by UK ministers."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 April 2019
Car Recovery Firms Targeted By 'New IRA'
Dissident republicans have issued threats against a number of car recovery firms that carry out work for the PSNI, it has emerged. Two businesses have been targeted by the 'New IRA' in recent weeks, and others remain under threat, according to Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd.
Car Recovery Firms Targeted By 'New IRA'
Dissident republicans have issued threats against a number of car recovery firms that carry out work for the PSNI, it has emerged. Two businesses have been targeted by the 'New IRA' in recent weeks, and others remain under threat, according to Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd.
27 August 2021
Funding Available For Community Crime Prevention Groups
The Department of Justice is inviting applications for the Assets Recovery Community Scheme for funding aimed at preventing crime. Voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities, and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland are all eligible to apply for the funding.
Funding Available For Community Crime Prevention Groups
The Department of Justice is inviting applications for the Assets Recovery Community Scheme for funding aimed at preventing crime. Voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities, and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland are all eligible to apply for the funding.
16 June 2021
Finance Ministers Call For Urgent Meeting With Rishi Sunak
NI's Finance Minister Conor Murphy has joined his Scottish and Welsh contemporaries in writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, to call for an urgent meeting to discuss a range of issues – including multi-year budgeting and financial recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Finance Ministers Call For Urgent Meeting With Rishi Sunak
NI's Finance Minister Conor Murphy has joined his Scottish and Welsh contemporaries in writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, to call for an urgent meeting to discuss a range of issues – including multi-year budgeting and financial recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
10 September 2003
Agency freezes £1.5m in criminal assets
Over £1.5 million worth of assets belonging to a murdered loyalist have been frozen by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced today. A receiver has been appointed to take control of, and manage the assets of, dead loyalist Jim Johnston, who was shot dead at his Co Down home in May.
Agency freezes £1.5m in criminal assets
Over £1.5 million worth of assets belonging to a murdered loyalist have been frozen by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced today. A receiver has been appointed to take control of, and manage the assets of, dead loyalist Jim Johnston, who was shot dead at his Co Down home in May.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
