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Ulster Unionist Social Development Spokesperson Fred Cobain has welcomed the publication today of the Simon Community’s report which calls for an increase in the construction of affordable and social housing.

In a statement, Mr Cobain said: “The message from the Simon Community is that there must be a ‘joined up’ approach to addressing this issue.

“I agree – because there are ongoing problems in the formation of strategy. Policy options continue to be held up.

“For example, the Promoting Social Inclusion strategy document ‘Addressing the Causes and Effects of Homelessness’ was published on 4 November 2004. Yet the department is still in the process of consulting with various groups and finalising conclusions.

“Consultations are usually 12 weeks long. Yet this one has lasted 21 months. Why the hold up? When exactly will this strategy see the light of day?”

He added: “According to the Simon Community, just 651 of 15,768 new houses built in the year ending March 2005 were social rented housing.

“Yet DSD Housing Statistics reveal that 29,819 households are on Housing Executive waiting lists. And last year 17,362 households presented as homeless to the NIHE.

“Surely this underlines the need to develop affordable housing for low-income families.

“The selling price for NHBC registered homes at the end last year stood at £142,000, and almost a third of homes sold for over £150,000 – which is a 22% increase over the year.

“While the housing market here has clearly benefitted some, spiralling house prices and a lack of affordable and social housing is causing massive problems.

“The government recently looked at co-ownership provision. Whilst welcome, this doesn’t go to the heart of the problem. The Housing Executive and associated social partners do what they can – but what about the Housing Associations? What about the policy makers? What about funding provision?

“The Simon Community’s report is a welcome addition to the debate and must be taken seriously by policy makers.”

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson said he was more than a little taken aback at the report that Northern Ireland was the most positive region of the UK towards the European Union.

In a statement the UUP MEP said,

“Northern Ireland has always been keenly aware that Europe did play a part in giving financial support through many dark days in the past and that the EU did contribute to the greater good here, avoiding getting involved in local disagreements.

I believe it is fair to say that Northern Ireland is more politically aware of Europe than the rest of the UK. We have had to make the most of the opportunities available. Our industry and commerce, SME’s and agricultural sectors do realise that decisions made in Europe will ultimately affect them.

This is an interesting report. While I am not totally convinced by it, I must say it is very positive for Northern Ireland.”

“Perhaps at the level of community consciousness the loss of the Sons of Ulster and the founding of Northern Ireland are intertwined.  The Battle of the Somme became Northern Ireland.”

This is a very poignant comment made by a learned colleague of mine which I feel encompasses the feelings of those who visit the ceremonies at the Ulster Tower and Guillemont in France to remember and honour those who fought for our freedom over ninety years ago.

The outbreak of the Great War in 1914-1918 placed Ulster on the world stage and it is something of which the people of Ulster and Ireland should be proud.

As well as the 36th (Ulster) Division and the 16th(Irish) Divisions at the Somme there were many other Ulstermen who joined other battalions and who should also be remembered as fondly and as proudly.

At the outbreak of the war the British Army raised 82 battalions in Ireland. By the end of 1914 Ulster contributed 42 of these.  As well as the 36th (Ulster) Division there were six battalions of the regular Army from Ulster, five Ulster battalions in the 10th (Irish) Division and five more in the 16th (Irish) Divisions.

Also many Ulstermen chose to enlist in Scottish Battalions such as the 6th Black Watch and 4th Seaforth Highlanders that formed the 51st (Highland) Division, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Many other Ulstermen joined the London Irish, the Church Lads’ battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles, the Bantam Battalions, the Royal Scots, the Cheshire and the Sherwood Foresters, not forgetting those Ulstermen who were to be found amongst the Canadians in the Dominion troops where two soldiers won the VC.

The advance of the 36th (Ulster) Division at the commencement of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916 was perhaps the most memorable single episode of the war and stands out in military history as one of the finest displays of courage that the world has ever seen.

On the site of this epic advance at Thiepval a memorial tower was erected by public subscription in memory of the officers, non-commissioned officers and the men of the 36th(Ulster) Division, and of the sons of Ulster in the Great War and all of their comrades –in –arms who also died or were spared to return.  The Ulster Tower was the first memorial erected on the battlefields in 1921.

When I visit the 90th Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme in France this weekend (1st July 2006) I like to think that I will take with me the thoughts and prayers of all of those people in North Down who have lost family and friends in this great struggle for civilisation.

“We will remember them.”

I was amused to see that the Minister for Regional Development, Mr David Cairns being motivated, or was it stung, into responding to recent articles and letters in the Spectator on the unfair nature of the proposed water charges.

I make no apology for having been critical of the Government’s ill thought out handling of our water and sewerage problems in recent times.  Conveniently Mr Cairns sidestepped some important issues, which need to be addressed.

The current problem emanates from over thirty years of neglect by successive British Governments.  During this time ratepayers paid for the service.

In the mid nineties the Government invested heavily in the service in England and Wales. At the same time £50 million was agreed to be paid annually to Northern Ireland for water and sewerage improvements.  It would appear that the money simply went into “the pot”.

The upgrading of the services was necessary because of a European Directive.

One wonders when the improvements may have been made if Europe had not intervened?

The Governments current proposals remain unfair for a variety of reasons despite their fumbling and reluctant concessions as a result of pressure from many quarters.

Developers should pay for the provision of services to new housing.  Now conceded but still no sign of the saving been passed on to the consumer.

Road drainage costs should be paid by road users and not by water consumers – still no change.

The latest references by Government to the introduction of an affordability tariff are unclear.  Does this mean that to qualify one has to be in receipt of benefit? Or does “low income” mean some system of “means testing?

A call to the Water Reform Office today did not provide any clarification.  “We hope to make a further announcement on metering in the autumn”!

Certainly the modern standards of water and sewerage provision must be applied and a fair system of charging implemented.  It must be clear and easily understood.  It could be on the Regional rates or if an alternative system is agreed, metering must be provided.  The former Minister said there was no alternative to the present proposals.  That’s a pretty flimsy reason to continue down this route.  If a bad idea is the only idea the Department can come up with, it’s not unreasonable for people to object.

If the Government is serious about interest groups producing alternatives, then it should put a freeze on the process until a full debate has taken place on the Assembly floor.

I had tabled a motion for private members’ business on 19th May 2006 but the Secretary of State has not yet agreed for the issue to be debated.

Mr Cairns in his article again draws attention to Northern Ireland paying less than the average that people living in Great Britain pay.  I wonder if this is the reason?  This comparison glosses over regions in Great Britain where Northern Ireland compares favourably.   It also ignores other factors such as average wages in N. I. are around 20% less than the rest of the UK.  We also pay substantially more for electricity and around two thirds more for our gas than the mainland.  Regional price levels also show that we pay on average more than Scotland, Wales, the North East and Yorkshire/ Humberside.

Mr Hanson, another Minister in the Government has told us that the increase in the Regional Rate this year will raise an estimated additional £42 million from domestic properties in Northern Ireland.  The introduction of 25% rating for manufacturing companies will produce a further £18million in 2006/07.  Non-domestic vacant rating is estimated to raise a further £5.5million.

There are other bigger issues in the Governments intentions.  Water charging is planned to commence next year and by 2010 the full charges will be applied.  At this time water and sewerage services will transfer from the Government to the Regulator, he or she will then decide the charges.

It may be that the sole purpose of separate charging is to prepare the water service for a quick sale.

The experience across the water does not provide much comfort.  The water companies wrote off £960 million in bad debts last year.  Fifteen percent of householders consistently refuse to pay their bills.  Leakage targets set by the Regulator are not achieved.  Thames Water applied for an emergency drought order.  These are the “benefits” of 17 years of privatisation.

Whilst I have no difficulty in supporting private industry as a principle the Government has left too many imponderables for the matter to be a success.

Government must cease their “suck it and see” approach to this important issue and return to the drawing board.

I was amused to see that the Minister for Regional Development, Mr David Cairns being motivated, or was it stung, into responding to recent articles and letters in the Spectator on the unfair nature of the proposed water charges.

Government must cease their “suck it and see” approach to this important issue and return to the drawing board.

“My office staff rang the DVLNI County Hall Ballymena on behalf of a constituent who had difficulty getting through to the department to enquire about the whereabouts of his driving licence,” says South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Jim Wilson.

“Over a period of 3 days my staff tried to get through to someone to make enquiries on the constituent’s behalf but were unable to speak to anyone other than the switchboard as the telephone number of the Vehicle Licencing Department was constantly engaged.  Upon making enquiries from the switchboard re the difficulty getting through to the department my staff were told that “no-one answers the phones in the Vehicle Licencing Department at the end of the month, they are too busy at the counters”.  Upon questioning this my staff were told that this was common practice at the end of the month in all DVLNI offices.

“My constituent applied six weeks ago to have his licence renewed.  He sent along his passport and old licence, which were returned to him, but he is still waiting to receive the new licence.  Three weeks ago he was told by the department that they had posted out the new licence but it turned out they had sent it to the wrong address.  The occupiers of the “wrong address” returned the licence to the DVLNI who in turn, they say, sent the licence out to the correct address.  To date it has not turned up.

“The answering service attempts to address frequently asked questions, however this is a case that requires a rather more personal touch.  As an elected representative I in turn am referred to the same answering machine.  If DVLNI know - and they have admitted it - that they are busier at the end of the month why have they not put the necessary measure in place to cope with this and maintain an acceptable level of customer service?

South Belfast MLA and UUP spokesperson for Families and Children Esmond Birnie has welcomed a report by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People which recommends that pupils should be involved in school policies to tackle bullying.

Mr Birnie said:

“By allowing children to become involved in the policy making process, schools not only empower these children, but encourage them to become more confident and make them feel that their views are important. After all, it makes sense that a policy for children and young people should consult children young people.

“Ulster Unionists abhor bullying of any kind and any initiative which sets out to tackle this problematic area should be applauded. Bullying remains a particularly sensitive subject and many children are still choosing to suffer in silence. By allowing them to take part in the decision making process it will help make them aware of the safeguards in their schools which are there to protect them.”

Commenting Finance Minister David Hanson’s decision to remain wedded to industrial derating policy, despite the unanimous opposition of MLAs, UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Esmond Birnie MLA said:

“The view of the people of Northern Ireland is that industrial derating must be frozen at the current level of 25%.

“In the Joint Statement of April 6, the Prime Minister stated that “Ministers would naturally take account of views which command cross-community support within the Assembly”.

“Opposition to industrial derating has achieved unanimity from political parties, and business interests. Clearly, the democratic deficit that exists under direct rule has been painfully exposed.

“Is this yet another example of NIO brinkmanship – waving the big stick as part of the talks process? Inflicting economic damage on Northern Ireland and making direct rule utterly unpalatable would be a pretty perverse way of acting as a persuader for devolution.”

He added: “According to DETI’s recent Future of Manufacturing policy response, the forecast for the manufacturing sector as a whole is that it is likely to ‘contract in employment terms over the next 10 years, with just over 18,000 jobs (including self-employed) lost, to a total of 72,500 by 2014’.

“If this is the department’s projection up to 2014, why is the Minister pushing ahead with industrial derating regardless?

“Not only is the Minister out of touch with the people of Northern Ireland, but he also seems to be out of touch with his own civil servants.”

He added: “The government refers back to previous Assembly committees. But that’s doesn’t hold any water - circumstances have changed dramatically since then. It was envisaged that the government would take serious measures to reduce industrial energy prices. But this has not happened – and yet industrial derating continues.”

Concluding, he said: “Manufacturing accounts for one in every 8 jobs in Northern Ireland - but it generates almost 30% of the total economic activity of Northern Ireland businesses.

“If local manufacturers want to remain competitive in the global marketplace they can ill afford to be deprived of resources which could otherwise be invested in areas such as R&D, product development and upgrading of facilities.Why is the Minister remaining wedded to such a potentially destructive policy?”

Speaking after the Prime Minister and Taoiseach visited Belfast today, UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey said,

“I would echo the Prime Minister’s comments that Northern Ireland is a better place because of the process, no matter how frustrating it may seem at times.

Adequate time has been provided for parties to reach agreement. The question is whether the conditions exist for an administration to be formed or not and only the conditions at that time will allow us to make a judgement.

However, if parties are saying today that they will not participate by the 24th November, irrespective of whether the conditions apply or not, then they will have to explain to the people why they have allowed a series of disastrous direct rule policies to be introduced and put the well being of their party ahead of the wellbeing of the people.”

North Down MLA and UUP Regional Development spokesperson Leslie Cree has voiced concerns regarding a recent Government consultation document which reveals that the Port of Belfast could be broken up and stripped of its assets for the benefit of speculators.

Mr Cree’s comments are part of a tide of criticism against the proposals, which would undermine the port’s £140m capital investment programme, and includes progress on the Titanic Quarter.

Mr Cree said:

“The Port is an economic winner – handling 17m tones of goods in 2005, 66% of Northern Ireland’s seaborne trade and is the busiest passenger port on the island of Ireland.  To dismember and sell off parts of one of our most important assets is sheer foolishness and shows total disregard to the future of our infrastructure.

“It is vital that the Port of Belfast remains under public ownership and works in the best interest of Northern Ireland and its people. Its sale to private businesses at a time when we are in the midst of a £140 million investment programme would undermine the progress already made and fragment the estate unnecessarily”.