WESTMINSTER continues to be action-packed as ever. A major issue of concern for me, as Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, is the continued stalemate in Belfast which is sadly making a return to direct rule from Westminster more likely.
Last week, the Government passed the Northern Ireland Budget Bill to ensure that public services in the region can still run for the remainder of the financial year. However, work still needs to be done to restore the power-sharing agreement in the interests of Northern Ireland residents. My committee recently visited the city of Newry to physically see the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and one cannot underestimate how important it is to reach agreement over its future ahead of our withdrawal from the European Union.
Last week saw continued debate on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, with a much welcome announcement by the Brexit Secretary that Parliament will have a vote on our final deal with the European Union. Parliamentary sovereignty was a major reason why I passionately campaigned for Britain’s exit from the EU, and I am glad to see that the Government is committed to this also.
Writing this before the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, I anticipate further announcements from the Government and hope that they help to address major issues like the future funding of our NHS, our alarming affordable housing shortage and the skills deficit.
On the topic of healthcare, I officially re-established the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Clinical Leadership and Management last week, with the fantastic Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham, Dame Julie Moore, who kindly addressed the group on encouraging frontline professionals into senior NHS management positions.
