Department for the Economy Board minutes 2025 - 27 August 2025

Kathryn McCamley presented.

• The Apprenticeship Action Plan, launched on 11 August, sets out the next steps to enhance the system, expand apprenticeship provision, and maximise the inclusive impact of this pathway into employment.
• Total starts increased by 69% between 2019/20 and 2023/24 and by 48% between 2022/23 and 2023/24.
• The 3 main themes of the plan are to improve, grow and include.
• We will improve the system to make it more effective, more successful, innovative and ready to meet the needs of both the workforce and employers.
• We will grow the system to increase the employers and individuals benefitting from enhanced skills provision.
• We will purposefully work to include all sections of society within apprenticeships, including those who have traditionally been underrepresented – women, disabled people and those from disadvantaged areas.
• The Plan is about taking the system from good to great.
• Target for delivery is March 2027 with work already started.

Ian Snowden presented.

• Hot weather in England has prompted issues with worker safety and implications for N.I. Unions are pressing for legislation to make demands for working in hot weather. Considerations include what is safe and who determines that.
• Activity surrounding tariffs – complications with stacking of tariffs, currency fluctuations. ASD have analysed impacts for N.I. which are marginal.
• Green Skills Action Plan published at the end of June.
• Helen McCarthy has developed a draft Research and Innovation Strategy. She will be invited to a future Board meeting to discuss.
• RHI Business Case approved.
• Continuing issue with NRC and 2024/25 DfE Accounts which will still possibly be laid by the statutory deadline.
• Activity on mineral prospecting licences.
• Implications of A5 judgement still being worked through by DSO. DfI taking court action.
• DSO working on guidance on legal definition of sex.
• Reply issued to PAC Report on Skills Strategy.
• NIAO report on Energy expected in Autumn.
• Universities raising concerns on financing City Deals projects.
• Meeting next week with DfC and DoH regarding economic inactivity with a focus on 16-25 year olds.

Budgets

Johanna Park presented.

2025/26

• Allocated £13m in June Monitoring and due to get another £12m due to successful bids.
• The October position is a relatively balanced RDEL with a couple of pressures and easements. Capital is the largest pressure and we are sitting with an overcommitment.
• There will be an October Monitoring Round but it hasn’t been commissioned yet. A lot of work has been undertaken internally in preparation.

Spending Review

• Only £17m extra RDEL next year.
• We lose money from the Restoration Fund next year.
• Capital is £100m more than we have now which is a concern.
• Inescapable bids are considerably higher than this year.
• A 3-year period gives us a plan to work towards.

2024/25 Group Annual Report and Accounts

Sharon Hetherington presented.

• Accounts submitted to Audit Office on 30 June.
• Very late submission from NRC which has been consolidated.
• We have immediately started planning for next year.
• Uncovered errors with the SOAS.
• There is a discrepancy of circa £72k due to rounding errors.
• There is still a possibility that the accounts could be disclaimed.
• We are engaging with the Audit Office on their questions on student loans.
• There was a discussion at ARAC re NRC which is a less than comfortable position and has had an impact on the outturn.

Major Projects

• The issue with compliance with the requirements for implementing best practice in programme and project delivery has been ongoing for over a year. Is there a need for a reset when intervention is required? AP: A different approach to be considered.
• The summary position on the Magee Expansion Programme was noted. AP: A process is needed how to decide if there is an issue with a Major Project or Programme.
• The status of Project Gigabit should be amber. NRC, Coleraine & Ballymena is now operational and should be green.

Contracts Register

• AP: What the Board wants and values needs communicated to guide the content of future papers.

ARAC Minutes

• No comments.

ARAC Self-Effectiveness Review

• A meeting will be set up to discuss these issues.

Skills Fund

• Another positive set of comprehensive actions.
• A challenge is that the funding  is discretionary rather than baselined.
• All interventions take account of previous evaluationsApproach increasingly to leverage support from  business.
• Success in grade 7 competition creates staffing challenge..

Careers Action Plan

• Tremendous job which has moved careers provision to a new level. Especially positive to note the collaboration and delivery with DE colleagues.

Integr8

• To note.

Legislative Programme

• To be aware of.

Laura McPolin

Laura McPolin

Laura McPolin

Risk Register

• Any comments to be sent to Conor McKendry.

Jayne Brady gave an introduction to the new People Strategy. She discussed the need to engage with internal and external people. Sessions are being developed with trade unions, LRA and stakeholders. Reference panels have been established. Ensuring significant issues are addressed. 9 key areas of focus with each Permanent Secretary having ownership of 1. Comes with an action plan and an evidence base. There is a need to create an enabling environment. She is meeting with all Departmental Boards.

Jill Minne discussed the 9 key initiatives which are: - Recruitment process, Workforce planning, Civil Service professions, Digital Skills, HR policy renewal programme, Health and wellbeing, Pay and Reward Strategy, Equip and support manager and Build capability.

Ian Snowden has ownership of the Digital Skills initiative and discussed his plans regarding this.