(3 years, 3 months ago)
Written StatementsThe legislative programme for the second Session was outlined by Her Majesty on 11 May. Twenty five of the 29 Bills announced in the Government’s legislative programme contain a wide range of measures that will apply to Northern Ireland either in full or in part.
This ambitious legislative programme, and the delivery that will flow from it, underlines the importance that the Government places on the Union, and Northern Ireland’s integral part within it. It also reinforces the Government’s commitment to levelling up right across the UK, delivering for people and businesses across Northern Ireland, as part of a strong United Kingdom, to ensure we can build back better and recover from the covid-19 pandemic by strengthening economic growth and opportunities right across the UK.
It also builds on the unprecedented action the Government have taken to support individuals, businesses and communities in Northern Ireland to get the Northern Ireland economy back up and running. This includes £4.2 billion funding through the Barnett formula to tackle the pandemic—over and on top of £3.5 billion investment we are already making in Northern Ireland through the new deal for Northern Ireland—ambitious city deals, PEACE PLUS and the New Decade, New Approach financial package. This financial boost, together with further funding streams and legislative action will continue to lay the foundations for delivering prosperity, safety, ongoing support for communities right across Northern Ireland, and working with the Executive to ensure the effective delivery of public services.
My Department will also lead on two of the Bills within the legislative programme which have a specific focus on matters at the heart of Northern Ireland. These are:
The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill which will deliver aspects of the New Decade, New Approach deal agreed by the five main Northern Ireland political parties when the Executive was restored in January 2020;
A Bill to address the legacy of the Troubles in a way which focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims, and ends the cycle of investigations.
The Bills that will extend in whole or in part to Northern Ireland are:
Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill
Armed Forces Bill
Animals Abroad Bill
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill
Borders Bill
Building Safety Bill
Counter-State Threats Bill
Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill
Dormant Assets Bill
Electoral Integrity Bill
Environment Bill
Health and Care Bill
Judicial Review Bill
Legacy Bill
National Insurance Contributions Bill
Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill
Planning Bill
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
Procurement Reform Bill
Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill
Professional Qualifications Bill
Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill
Subsidy Control Bill
Skills and Post-16 Education Bill
Telecommunications (Security) Bill
In line with the Sewel Convention and associated practices, the Government will continue to work constructively with the Northern Ireland Executive to secure the legislative consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly where appropriate.
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