Nesbitt: Equality Report under UUP Microscope
Dermot Nesbitt MLA, Ulster Unionist Party, had a marathon five-hour meeting with Government statisticians, together with Scottish economists who produced a report on equality. He presented to the group a 45-page critique of the report, entitled ‘Labour Market Dynamics’. This meeting followed an earlier meeting Dermot Nesbitt had with Lord Rooker, Equality Minister, at which he was critical of the Report.
Dermot Nesbitt said: “I view this report, costing £110k, as adding little to our relevant knowledge to help solve our problems in the equality field. Not only did it not deal with important issues, such as whether or not government policy is successful, but it avoided asking important questions. For example, is there a position today where protestants are losing out in the jobs market – this was a no go area for the consultants. Their excuse in this and other matters was that a line had to be drawn somewhere as to what they were able to do. Of course, their priorities were wrong and by not examining the effectiveness of some areas of equality policy suits Government.”
The problems that existed before this Report was produced are still present. The £500m spent on training, which could have helped the disadvantaged: that was money down the drain according to a PAC report. A skills strategy is still awaited. And, addressing the concerns of the Protestant community regarding equality issues, though recognised in the consultants’ Report, was inadequately addressed.
I am meeting again in less than two weeks Minister Rooker on these matters. I trust that then – or even before then – movement will have taken place to address concerns that are clearly within the unionist community that not only this latest report takes little notice of, but also government.”