Motion no: 21
Conference notes that 2024 saw a return of devolved power-sharing Government at Stormont. Conference commends the huge effort of our collective membership across the public and private sector in Northern Ireland in taking sustained industrial action for pay justice in the absence of devolved Government.
Conference agrees that with devolved Government restored, it must now deliver for our members, their families and their communities. However, Conference recalls the major cuts to public services imposed in Northern Ireland by the previous UK Government in the absence of the institutions at Stormont. Conference is very concerned that despite the return of devolved Government in Northern Ireland, and the election of a new UK Government, this funding crisis in our public services is continuing.
Whilst noting the recent adjustment to the Barnett Formula, which will provide some additional funding for Northern Ireland on the basis of need, Conference agrees that the new UK Government must ensure that sufficient, sustained funding is available for public services in Northern Ireland.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee, working alongside affiliates, to continue to campaign for the funding settlements our public services require, seeking that the Executive secure a sustained, needs-based funding settlement as a priority.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to coordinate a comprehensive programme of engagement across the Executive, further to the Executive’s new Programme for Government, engaging across all Executive Departments in seeking commitments to take action on the priority issues. This should include:
- Delivery of a new model of public health, delivered on NHS founding principles, which has eradicating health inequalities as its central goal;
- The prioritisation of proper workforce planning across health and social care, including through the passing of proposed legislation on Safe and Effective Staffing;
- Reform of the adult social care system, meeting rising levels of need through increased public sector provision and supporting delivery of decent pay and terms and conditions through the Social Care Fair Work Forum;
- The introduction of universal, nutritious, free school meals;
- Urgently delivering a comprehensive, effective Anti-Poverty Strategy based on objective need, in addition to the other outstanding social inclusion strategies on gender equality, sexual orientation and disability, and an updated Racial Equality Strategy;
- Passing comprehensive, effective legislation to strengthen worker and trade union rights, further to proposals for a ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill;
- Delivery of a Childcare Strategy that provides for affordable, accessible childcare and which recognises and values the workforce;
- Support for the community and voluntary sector which ensures better pay, terms and conditions and job security for the workforce.
- Commitment to the principles of the Just Transition in the move to a low carbon economy, based on social dialogue between Government, employers and unions, including through trade union representation on a new Just Transition commission.
Conference reaffirms its support for the implementation of the commitments made within the peace agreements on equality and human rights and calls on the new Executive to function within a rights-based framework.
