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Madam Speaker – to those who freely gave of their time to contribute to this first report on the Economic Challenges facing our country – Ulster Unionists would record our sincere gratitude and thanks.

I commend the report to the House.

As political stability is the bedrock for future economic prosperity, it is incumbent upon all elected representatives to create the conditions for a fair deal by offering unequivocal support to the police and all institutions of law and order, Ulster Unionist Strangford MLA David McNarry has said.

The Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson, who sits on the PFG Sub Group on Economic Challenges Facing Northern Ireland, said that the absence of such support would effectively be “making a mockery of the efforts being made here to improve our local economy”.

Addressing the Sub Group on Thursday, Mr McNarry said: “As a Party for the Union, which has served and given leadership to our country for over 100 years, we recognise the importance of a vibrant economy, not only for stakeholders and investors, but also to those who would benefit from employment opportunities such prosperity brings.

“We are grateful to, and appreciative of, all those who have assisted this Sub Group through written and oral evidence.

“We recognise the overwhelming opinion emanating from those involved in the private sector who clearly signalled the necessity for political stability.

“Endorsing those opinions, and in character with our continuing demands for an equitable partnership between a devolved Assembly and civic society, we would contend that – in order for lasting stability to be first attained and then sustained – all elected Parties have an obligation to publicly state their unequivocal support for the PSNI and all other Crown agencies operating with the approval of Her Majesty’s Government to uphold law and order in our country.

“Without that publicly stated support then a Party is only making a mockery of the efforts being made here to improve our local economy.”

He added: “But with such publicly stated support, the Assembly can send a positive and welcome signal that we as elected representatives are giving sound leadership as a significant part of our contribution to encourage and renew confidence in both internal and external investment.”

The UUP MLA was speaking while delivering his Party’s assessment of the economic impediments which lie ahead for Northern Ireland PLC.

The UUP presentation stated:

• it is widely recognised that in a competitive global market, the level of corporation tax does impact on the ability to attract investment. The Treasury should examine the economic potential of lower corporation tax rates for NI and other UK regions

• a competitive tax regime is essential for the Northern Ireland economy. While recognising that most issues of taxation are a reserved matter, the UUP believes that there is the potential for a devolved administration to act with regards to aspects of the tax burden on businesses. With existing and potential SME’s being fundamental to our regional economy, a Small Business Rate Relief scheme – similar to that operating in Scotland – should be introduced to NI. A Northern Ireland Administration should also commit to capping industrial rates at 25%

• the absence of a strategy for Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector is in stark contrast with the strategies developed in both Scotland and Wales. Such a strategy would signal that a Northern Ireland Administration was committed to the manufacturing sector being a powerhouse of a knowledge-driven regional economy

Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson David McNarry has again voiced his concerns over surplus places in primary schools, saying it is disgraceful that a sustainable schools policy is still some way off.

In a statement, the Strangford MLA said: “Direct Rule has not served us well.

“Look at primary schools. For over a decade, the underlying trend was a positive one for primary schools. But Direct Rule has somehow contrived to turn this around.

“The numbers of primary school teachers has slipped from when Labour took power – but the rate of slippage has steadily increased under Direct Rule.

“In 1999, Northern Ireland had 8,751 full time equivalent primary school teachers; in 2002 there were 8,753. In the three years of Direct Rule following 2002, Northern Ireland lost 400 teachers.

“The trend from 1992 was toward improved pupil/teacher ratios. But under Direct Rule, the pupil/teacher ratio has risen from 19.7 to 20.0.

“I don’t think this can be explained by school closures. The number of primary schools has stayed broadly the same since suspension.

“Nor can it be explained solely by demographics. Pupil places have fallen steadily over the past 10 years, but only since the hand over to Direct Rule have real problems occurred.

“In business, Direct Rule’s management will cripple manufacturing. In public administration, Direct Rule has managed to sectarianise local government. In local finance, Direct Rule is squeezing more and more out of hard-pressed householders. And in primary schools, Direct Rule’s ad hoc approach is steering Northern Ireland into dangerous waters.

“This year, there are 34,390 surplus places in primary schools. What does the department do about it? It posts up a £69 million underspend at a time when it is forcing boards to make drastic cuts in services. The government may say that these resources are not lost, but this at least tells us that government has not reacted quickly enough to resolve problems.

“This is not the efficient, targeted, strategic approach that’s required. This is just more of the clueless mismanagement that we’ve come to expect.

“So let’s not think of Direct Rule as a benign institution. Angela Smith juggled a number of portfolios, and between arriving at DENI in May 2005 she spend just 82 days in Northern Ireland up to the end of last year.”

He added: “Despite the critical importance formative early years play in developing ability in literacy, numeracy, communication and creativity, the Direct Rule establishment initiated and led a debate that solely focussed on post-primary education.

“The implications of falling rolls can be viewed as an opportunity. School funding is currently measured per pupil. If DENI maintains current funding levels, and resists the temptation to allow it to parallel falling rolls, government would be making a significant commitment to investing in smaller class sizes for our children.

“In Northern Ireland, New Labour sells us ‘year zero’ economics, unsustainable futures. In England, New Labour pledges ‘forward not back’, ‘investment not cuts’ and ‘Building Schools for the Future’.

“The Labour Party’s 2005 Manifesto states: “All primary school children will have access to high-quality tuition in the arts, music, sports and foreign languages.”

“Yet these were among the first services to be withdrawn under Direct Rule’s education cuts. Primary schools should be places in which all children are enriched by exposure to arts, music, languages and sports.

“A devolved assembly would ensure that the department learns from its mistakes. Getting early development right is key to improving educational outcomes in the long term. That means getting the right environment in place to make primary and pre-primary work for all our children.”

Strangford MLA and UUP spokesperson for Education David McNarry has criticized the government for wasting £50 million on management consultants and hospitality.

Mr McNarry said:

“I have repeatedly accused the government of ‘consultationitis’ and the fact that so much money has been wasted really comes as no surprise.

“However, this news is particularly hard to swallow when we consider that many of our frontline services are finding themselves under considerable financial strain and I would hope that in future, funds will be redirected to where they are needed most.

“What we must ensure is that the process for restoring the assembly does not inherit current government thinking, that the only way to govern is after consultation. Most of this money has been wasted with failures to react to public opinion, particularly when the public asked for changes in education policy”.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey and Education Spokesperson David McNarry have met today with new Education Minister Maria Eagle MP.

Describing the meeting as “refreshing”, Strangford MLA David McNarry said: “We may have bought some extra time in that the Minister confirmed that obviously the May date for the Draft Education Order going to Parliament would not be met and it looked like the Order would not now be presented until before the Parliamentary summer recess in June.

“It would appear that the government intends to leave some ‘practical out-workings’ in abeyance for future discussion which the Assembly might be able to debate.

“We have asked the Minister to elaborate on what is meant by ‘practical out-workings’ and she has agreed to come back to us quickly with details. The Minister did indicate that part of the ‘practical out-workings’ to be left in abeyance would focus on future transfer arrangements and how they would operate.”

He added: “This does appear to be a departure from previous government thinking, and we await now with interest receipt of the requested scoping note regarding, in particular, regulations involving the out-workings of the government’s proposals.

“We emphasised that despite education being a subject of intense public interest the government had previously failed to fully engage with the public in a positive debate which would have been informative for parents and teachers alike.

“The possibility now that the Assembly may have the opportunity in the near future to debate all the ramifications of the government’s proposals has to be welcomed, especially as there remains hope of the local Parties reaching a consensus on the way forward.”

Concluding, Mr McNarry said: “We left the Minister with a very clear message that we would work with her to ensure that there would be no schools categorised as ‘bad schools’, and that any social stigma attached to any school would be removed.”

Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson David McNarry has revealed plans to place the present reforms process on the floor of the Assembly and put to the test by locally elected representatives.

The resolution states: ‘That this Assembly calls upon the Minister for Education at the Northern Ireland Office to delay the implementation of the Government’s Education proposals until those proposals have been fully debated by this Assembly, and a consensus sought.’

In a statement, the Strangford MLA said: “The voice of the people of Northern Ireland is being ignored by Direct Rulers. Any time that public opinion has been tested on the reforms process, it has come down against the government’s plans.

“Vast amounts of public money have been stumped up for government to spend on what we now know have been phoney consultation processes. It’s vital that we assume local control over the education debate. That’s why I want to see the education proposals debated openly on the floor of the assembly.”

He added: “The consultation on post-primary arrangements had 14,000 respondents - 90% of which contained objections. In the Household Survey element to the Burns Report, 64% of parents, and 62% of teachers, opposed the reform proposals.

“Public antipathy to the post-primary arrangements should have forced a rethink. But no - Angela Smith told Parliament that DENI has never analysed any alternative models to the 11-plus test. And her replacement Maria Eagle has pledged to continue ploughing on regardless.

“And the government has also stated that it will not release precise figures on the breakdown of responses to the draft Education Order consultation. Why? Because popular opinion is unpopular within the department – it ignores what’s uncomfortable. Proceeding with this resolution I feel will provide transparency and begin the process of ensuring that the public once again become powerful stakeholders in the future shape of our education system.”

He added: “Under Direct Rule we’ve seen public opinion ignored, the infrastructure of the schools’ estate crumble, funding crises sweeping the Boards, school closures, belated realisation of a drop off in pupil numbers, errors in budgets, the crisis of sex offenders in schools and continued uncertainty among parents and teaching professionals.

“The education for the children of Northern Ireland must be decided upon by the people of Northern Ireland. The UUP’s resolution is designed to get the ball rolling.”

Commenting on reports that the SEELB is to close four schools, and that further mergers and closures could be on the way, Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson David McNarry has said:

“The confusion and certainty must end.”

Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson David McNarry has strongly criticised the Department of Education for spending hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money on consultations which the department has consistently ignored in its rush to impose unsound post-primary arrangements on Northern Ireland.

“Direct Rule Ministers cannot absolve themselves of blame for this chaos. The system presided over by Direct Rule does not work for the people of Northern Ireland. Education reform must be steered by full-time local representatives.”

Contrary to Government spin, falling school registers are not the product of an overnight discovery.

It just happens that those in key roles, who knew years ago that demographic trends would result in fewer pupils, decided to make its effect on schools public only recently - and not in 1996.

Was this withholding of information an opportunity seized upon by manipulative civil servants anxious to exploit Direct Rule and introduce into our education provision the seeds of a sinister, highly skilled piece of political and social engineering?

Whatever the reason, and the truth will out, parents and pupils have to pick up the pieces scattered by today’s policy makers.

As a result primary schools face uncertainty and the needless vulnerability of closure, or at best mergers.

How many parents are aware of the future status of their local primary schools? Do young parents choosing a school this year know that the school will even exist when the time comes to enrol? Do they know, following enrolment, whether their choice of primary school is sustainable?

Last week DENI issued guidelines for parents on transferring to post-primary schools. Missing are the Government’s prior firm commitments on primary schools detailing their future sustainability and structures.

The continued absence of such a commitment has the making of a serious omission and contractual offence by the Government against parents.

DENI’s ambivalent attitude to primary schools is particularly alarming when this year’s infant intake figures indicate a further decline in numbers.

Recently the Government trumpeted that the Review of Public Administration will result in a more streamlined administration of our education system.

Hopefully, and if proven true, a good case can be made for savings flowing from this to be ploughed back into our primary schools.

Central to this is the survival of schools and the prevention of widespread closures. What cannot be allowed is an overnight announcement stripping out the heart of a community by telling them that with immediate effect a primary school will close.

And isn’t it intolerable to find that despite the Government using the might of its resources, rather than the force of its argument, parents, pupils and teachers will be pressurised into accepting its imposition of reforms.

Government cannot stand up to the scrutiny of measurement against its own sustainable schools policy. Why? Because so far, after such a long period of waiting, Government have failed to produce a sustainable schools policy.

Young parents are interested in these issues. They require and deserve answers and good guidance in order to plan their children’s first steps into the schools ladder.

Where are the Government guarantees to them that they can choose a primary school with a sustainable future? Earlier I mentioned social engineering. Prepare to watch this space for future developments.

In Northern Ireland, New Labour sells us ‘year zero’ economics, failed comprehensives and unsustainable futures. In England, they pledge ‘forward not back’, ‘investment not cuts’, and ‘Building Schools for the Future’.

Early years schooling is the foundation for Building improved educational opportunities for children. Aptitudes encouraged and developed at primary schools inform and shape the skills and interests of pupils throughout their careers and prepare them for life’s challenges.

Getting early development right is key to improving educational outcomes in the long term. That means getting the right environment in place to make primary and pre-primary work for all our children. Today this is a demand, not a request of Government.

Commenting on today’s publication of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee report on education, UUP Education Spokesperson David McNarry said:

“This is not about partisan Party politics but all about stopping this government frenzy to introduce poor and inappropriate policies on education.”