Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has welcomed Assembly backing for his legislation which will help people into employment. The Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Consideration) (Northern Ireland) 2015 Order will enable councils to continue to include social clauses in their work and supply contracts, should they wish to do so.
Mr Durkan said: “The 2015 Order will enable councils to continue to include social clauses in their work and supply contracts, should they wish to do so.
“This could include, for example, the provision of apprenticeships, the employment of people who are long term unemployed and the provision of work experience places.
“I very much welcome the Assembly backing this new legislation. It will help those who need work experience for their CVs, those who need specific skills to be qualified and those who have been unemployed for a long time.
“It is a boost for the local labour market. Overall it will enable councils to continue to have greater flexibility in the drawing up of their contracts and will benefit their communities