Nations

Devolution to Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast began in earnest after 1997, with the subsequent establishment of the parliaments, assemblies and devolved administrations that we see today. More powers and responsibilities have since been transferred. But each nation has different levels of legislative, administrative and budgetary competence. The UK Government has kept certain policy areas as ‘reserved’ or ‘excepted’ to London like taxation and social security.

During Covid-19, the Devolved Administrations used their powers differently to the UK Government in London. Each nation had its own roadmap that involved different approaches, stricter messaging, compulsory policies backed in law, and variable review dates & timings, as local conditions (like the R-Number) dictated. But when First Ministers tightened or eased the restrictions, we gave BMF members the necessary advice or guidance straightaway.

Northern Ireland

BMF members account for approx. £830 million annual sales, employ more than 4,300 people, and trade from 147 locations in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive have devolved responsibilities for:

  • economic development 
  • climate change, net zero & energy-efficiency
  • education, training & skills 
  • manufacturing
  • construction & infrastructure 
  • transport
  • housing & planning 
  • water & flood defence.

Collaboration

 

The BMF is involved with the NI Construction Group an industry-wide alliance (that we chair) between representatives of businesses and the public sector. We also collaborate with the Construction Employers Federation, a trade association that represents contractors, house-builders and property developers.  https://www.cefni.co.uk/

 

Current Topics

The Windsor Framework

An agreement - called the Windsor Framework - was struck between the UK and EU to reform the Northern Ireland Protocol and ease cross-border trade & improve internal market arrangements. The Protocol itself was agreed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. It took effect on 1 January 2021 and Northern Ireland currently aligns with EU rules on placing goods on the NI market.

On 22 March 2023, the UK Parliament ratified the Windsor Framework that introduces new arrangements to move materials & products from England, Wales or Scotland for use in Northern Ireland. This Framework provides a new basis for trusted traders to move goods through a new “green lane” for smooth handling & entry. If your goods are destined for the Republic or beyond into the EU Single Market, such goods will have to go through a separate “red lane” with all the customs’ bureaucracy that entails, as now.

These revised arrangements will come into force in 2 stages:

  • 30 September 2023: a broader range of traders can now declare goods “not at risk”. For example: traders based anywhere in the UK can join the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS).
  • 30 September 2024: further broadening of arrangements to relieve goods moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, under the UKIMS, of full international customs’ requirements - namely checks, duties & declarations.

To use the green lane, you must be authorised under the UK Internal Market Scheme. To join the UKIMS to bring goods into Northern Ireland, please apply here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland.

Official guidance on the Framework, how it will work, etc, as new arrangements are introduced is collected here on this webpage:  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-windsor-framework-further-detail-and-publications.

Water Industry Infrastructure

Under-investment in Northern Ireland’s waste-water infrastructure is a long-standing issue. Overall capacity has failed to keep up with a growing need to provide a modern sewerage system fit for the 21st century. Northern Ireland Water is subject to a price control mechanism in which the regulator sets the budget and performance framework for a 6-year period. But it does not guarantee sufficient funding to allow NI Water to fulfil its remit and modernise its universal service.

The BMF and others want to see NI Water receive a more generous funding settlement, over a longer period of time, to both upgrade existing facilities and build extra capacity into its network. The completion of much-needed new homes is being prevented because the sewerage network, and water treatment works, are seriously underfunded and operating at (or beyond) capacity. There are over 100 locations where housing projects are stalled, or deferred, because builders cannot get new connections to the existing network.

The BMF lobbies ministers in the UK Government and the NI Executive to grasp the situation - review current capital allocations - and increase spending to prioritise the required further investment.

Your first point-of-contact is Leo Bagnall on (028) 9074 9400 or [email protected]