NI Conservatives’ environment spokesman, Brian McBride, has expressed regret after it was announced that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will take responsibility for services previously provided by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland.
“It is a worrying time for people who are employed by the DVA and their families, particularly in Coleraine where its headquarters is based”, Brian said. “It is essential that the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland seeks to minimise job losses and looks to help workers to learn new skills, which can be used in the public sector or elsewhere. The Department of Transport has undertaken to do all it can to help in this regard.”
“Nonetheless there are some sound reasons why this change is being made. For the first time motorists in Northern Ireland will be able to use the full range of vehicle registration and licensing services available in the rest of the UK. That includes the ability to tax a vehicle online and face to face services at a great many more post offices, right across the country. Drivers will undoubtedly find this flexibility convenient.”
“The decision, which was taken after an extensive consultation, should serve as a reminder of the need to focus on creating more private sector jobs here. Although the various parties at Stormont will feign outrage, they are well aware that the size of Northern Ireland’s public sector is unsustainable. It’s necessary to start identifying other areas which are vulnerable now. They need to be honest with people and to take action to address this, by implementing policies aimed at creating jobs, jobs and more jobs.”