Coronavirus: Executive calls for extension of furlough scheme

Conor Murphy will seek an extension to the furlough scheme - but Boris Johnson and his government have previously ruled this out

Stormont's finance minister has written to the Treasury calling for an extension to the job retention scheme.

The executive supported Conor Murphy's proposal following its meeting on Thursday.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she hopes drink-only pubs in NI will receive a new indicative date to reopen next week.

The initial date has been postponed twice due to a rise in transmission of the virus in NI in recent weeks.

The government's coronavirus furlough scheme began winding down this week, with companies using the scheme now having to contribute to workers' wages before it ends in October.

More than 200,000 workers in Northern Ireland were furloughed after the lockdown began in March.

'No magic money tree for executive'

Department for the Economy officials have previously warned that the end of the furlough scheme could cause more difficulties for employment in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at Stormont, Ms O'Neill said the executive had "limited fiscal powers" and needed the scheme to be extended in order to support workers.

"We're going to have thousands of people without employment in the coming weeks and months," she said.

"The furlough scheme is the way to support people, there's no magic money tree for the executive.

"We're facing into the winter it will be so difficult with Brexit and coronavirus ongoing."

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First Minister Arlene Foster told BBC Newsline she hoped the prime minister would "listen to our plea".

"It's very important that we recognise the impact the scheme has had, we believe it needs to be looked at on a sector-by-sector basis, and we have to have a safety net for certain sectors," she said.

She added that she hoped the executive would be able to make an announcement about support for the coach and taxi industry next week.

Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill pictured at Stormont on 8 June

Asked when she would resume joint press briefings with the deputy first minister, Mrs Foster said she was "hugely frustrated" they had not resumed.

Ms O'Neill's attendance at the funeral of senior republican figure Bobby Storey in June brought them to an abrupt halt, after she faced accusations of breaching coronavirus guidelines.

Mrs Foster said she still wanted Sinn Féin to "acknowledge there was damage done" to the credibility of the executive's messaging, before joint briefings can resume.

The deputy first minister had said she was still delivering the same message as Mrs Foster, even if they are not delivering it jointly.

Ms O'Neill also announced a new indicative date for soft play areas in NI to reopen - 14 September - although it will need to be ratified by the executive nearer the time.

Their initial date to reopen of 7 August was scrapped due to concerns about cleaning and maintenance of such areas.

Ministers discussed what kind of financial support might be provided to the wet pubs if they remain closed

Executive ministers had also discussed the impact of Covid-19 on pubs in NI, although no decision was taken on whether drink-only pubs can reopen yet.

A previous indicative date of 1 September for reopening the so-called "wet pubs" was abandoned last week.

Ministers discussed what kind of financial support might be provided to the wet pubs if they remain closed and whether a tougher enforcement regime should be introduced.

But Ms O'Neill said there was still "a lot of work" to be done.

One argument made by the hospitality industry is that tightening restrictions and cracking down on establishments which flout the regulations might enable more pubs which abide by the rules to open.

Appearing before Stormont's health committee on Thursday, Mr Swann responded to the increase in prohibition notices issued by the PSNI.

Twenty-three notices have been issued since bars were allowed to reopen in Northern Ireland on 3 July.

Mr Swann welcomed the move and said a return to "simple messaging" from the executive had been working too.

"We've always had powers and regulations but it was about the enforcement. That wasn't necessary before but now that step is being taken by the PSNI, it reinforces the messaging."

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Brexit concerns

The first and deputy first ministers were also expected to hold an online meeting with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and the Scottish and Welsh first ministers on Thursday about the ongoing Brexit trade deal talks.

A meeting of Stormont's agriculture and environment committee on Thursday was told that Northern Ireland businesses have still yet to receive answers to more than 60 questions to government about the impact of Brexit.

Representatives of farmers, food processing and supermarkets told MLAs that time was running out and clarity was needed quickly.

The Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group warned consumers could face reduced choice and greater cost.

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Welcoming the announcement of £355m in government funds to help businesses deal with red tape like customs paperwork was welcome news, however, issues such as claims there will be unfettered access for NI produce entering the Great Britain market, still need to be addressed.