Equality screening outcome report: New visitor destination, Belfast Stories

Continuous Household Survey for 2020-2021 identifies that:

• almost nine out of every ten adults (87 per cent) had engaged in some way with culture, arts and sport.
• just over four out five adults (81 per cent had engaged in culture and arts in 2020/21.
• arts engagement was 77 per cent
• museum visits were 37 per cent
• adults living in the least deprived areas were more likely to have engaged in culture and arts than those living in the most deprived areas (84 per cent and 78 per cent respectively)
• adults living in the least deprived areas where more likely to have visited a national museum (35 per cent compared to 19 per cent for most deprived areas)

In Northern Ireland and in Belfast, research indicates that the majority of culture and arts activity is all or mainly cross-community.

The 2011 census shows that in Belfast:

• 48.8 per cent of the Belfast population belonged to the Roman Catholic religion
• 42.5 per cent belonged a ‘Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)’ religion
• 1.6 per cent belonged to or were brought up in other religions
• 7.1 per cent belonged to or were brought up in no religion

In 2022, the results from the Census 2021 will be published which will provide more accurate picture of religious structure in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

In Northern Ireland and in Belfast, research indicates that the majority of culture and arts activity is all or mainly cross-community.

The 2011 census shows that in Belfast:

• 48.8 per cent of the Belfast population belonged to the Roman Catholic religion
• 42.5 per cent belonged a ‘Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)’ religion
• 1.6 per cent belonged to or were brought up in other religions
• 7.1 per cent belonged to or were brought up in no religion

In 2022, the results from the Census 2021 will be published which will provide more accurate picture of religious structure in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

According to Census 2011, 96.69 per cent of the population of Belfast are white. The main minority ethnic groups in Belfast are Chinese (0.71 per cent), Indian (0.70 per cent), Other Asian (0.61 per cent), Mixed (0.48 per cent), Black African (0.32 per cent), Irish Traveller (0.08 per cent) and Pakistani (0.08 per cent). In addition, migrant workers from the A2 and A8 European Union Accession countries represented 2.1 per cent of population. However, it is widely recognised whilst the Census data is the most accurate dataset available on ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland, it is still likely to be an underestimation of the numbers of ethnic minority population.

The culture and arts scene is diverse, and minority ethnic communities in general are well represented. The level of activity specifically targeting minority ethnic communities is considered to correlate with the population share of Belfast, while other activities aim to be inclusive regardless of ethnic background.

It is worth noting that ACNI state that many people responding to their survey choose not to report ethnicity or disability. Research indicates that people from minority ethnic groups can face multiple social, economic and cultural barriers to arts engagement. These barriers to participation may include communications and language; perceived irrelevance of arts to own culture; money; lack of transport; and lack of time and timings of events.

The population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 74.4 per cent to 498,500 people from mid-2014 to mid-2039, with the result that one in four people (24.7 per cent) will be in this age category. Population estimates by broad age bands in 2020 are shown in Table 1. Population proportions from mid-1995 to mid-2020 are shown in Figure 1.

The 2011 census figures are used in relation to marital status.  A relatively high percentage of Belfast residents are single at 45.32 per cent compared with the Northern Ireland average of 36.14 per cent. There are fewer married people aged 16 years and over compared with the NI average of 45.56 per cent.

Belfast has the second highest proportion of lone parent households (12 per cent). Lone parents are considered at greater risk of economic disadvantage than other household types with an estimated 39 per cent of people living in a lone parent household, living in relative poverty. Affordable childcare is an important consideration for low income groups trying to get back into employment, particularly lone parents requiring childcare.

 There are currently no or limited statistics that monitor the sexual orientation of the population in Northern Ireland. Therefore, there is little background or contextual data is available on lesbian, gay and bisexual people.  However, in 2014 the Integrated Household Survey (ONS), as part of its sexual identity project, indicated that in Northern Ireland 1.6 per cent of respondents identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual, while 0.3 per cent identified their sexual orientation as “other”, 4.0 per cent did not know or refused to answer while 1.2 per cent did not respond to the question. 

A commonly used estimate of LGBT people in the UK, accepted by Stonewall UK, is approximately five to seven per cent of the population.

Given the lack of monitoring of this equality group in official statistics, there is little information available on the economic opportunities of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Northern Ireland. 

The usually resident population in Belfast is broadly 50/50 men and women as shown in Table 2.

The labour market in Northern Ireland, as elsewhere, continues to be segregated by gender as outlined in Table 3. 

The Equality Commission’s analysis of LFS data over the period 2012 to 2016, which considered the Census 2011 and NISRA’s 2015 population estimates, found that, at all-time points between 2012 and 2016, women were underrepresented in employment compared to men. In addition, those women who were not in employment between 2006 and 2016 were most often economically inactive.  Economic activity by sex is outlined in Table 4.

There is a persistent employment gap between people with and without disabilities, with those with a disability much less likely to be employed. Belfast’s disability-related benefit claimant level is above the Northern Ireland average of 13.9 per cent.  In Belfast, 16.6 per cent of all residents are in receipt of at least one disability-related benefit. According to surveys, the employment rate among those with a disability remains low, at around one third, in comparison with 79 per cent for those without. Employment among those with mental ill-health or learning difficulties is especially low (estimated at around one in five). The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (2007) has set a Northern Ireland target of 50 per cent to be in full-time employment.

In Northern Ireland, 20.3 per cent of people and 23.5 per cent in Belfast have a long-term health problem or disability that limits their daily activities or the work they can do.  According to DCAL (now Department for Communities), adults with a disability were less likely than those who do not have a disability to play sports, attend the arts, museums and libraries. In Belfast, there is a difference between the level of activity primarily targeting disabled people and their population share. While the majority of activity aims to be inclusive of people with and people without disabilities, attendance and participation rates in Belfast are not known.

Census 2011 figures show that almost one quarter (23 per cent) of Belfast residents have a long-term health problem or disability which affects their day to day activities. This is a higher proportion than the Northern Ireland average (20.1 per cent).

A total of 40,177 usual residents in Northern Ireland were reported to have a “learning difficulty, an intellectual difficulty, or a social or behavioural difficulty” which had lasted, or was expected to last, at least 12 months. This figure accounts for 2.22 per cent of the resident population.

A total of 40,177 usual residents in Northern Ireland were reported to have a “learning difficulty, an intellectual difficulty, or a social or behavioural difficulty” which had lasted, or was expected to last, at least 12 months. This figure accounts for 2.22 per cent of the resident population.

According to the 2011 Census:

• 1,187 adults with a learning disability were registered with the Belfast Trust in 2012-2013 (GP registers)
• 18,261 (5.47 per cent) of Belfast resident population has a hearing loss, blindness or partial sight loss

According to the Department for Communities, there are approximately 3,500 BSL users and 1,500 ISL users living in Northern Ireland. Census 2011 does not provide statistics including Sign Language users living in Belfast.

Table 5 has information on blindness (or partial sight loss) and other communication difficulty. Belfast has a higher percentage of residents with blindness and sight loss and communication difficulty.  

A “dependent child” is defined as a child aged under one year old to 15 years old or aged between 16 and 18, a full-time student and living in a family with their parents or grandparents (Census 2011). In Northern Ireland and Belfast, the proportion of households (including lone parent households) with dependent children has declined since 1981 as shown in Table 6.

In summary, lone parents with dependants experience barriers to their participation in employment, with a lower employment rate and a higher economic inactivity rate, particularly for women who constitute the majority of lone parents. Many of the same barriers to the participation of women in the Northern Ireland labour market are applicable to lone parent women. Similarly, those who are carers and provide unpaid care to dependants that are not children are likely to face similar issues in employment to those with childcare responsibilities.

There is limited evidence of differential impacts on people with and without dependants. In 2017-2018, DfC research indicated that 91 per cent of those with dependants engaged with culture compared to 83 per cent of those without. However, it is recognised that those with family commitments or caring responsibilities may be a barrier to participation or attendance.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

It will be very important to address the needs of ethnic minorities both local (Belfast, City Region and Northern Ireland) and future visitors. The language barrier will specifically needed to be addressed.

Major positive

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

The future users and visitors both local and international will cover all the ages. This will need to be taken into account in both design of the building and content. Addressing accessibility will be critical from both physical and content perspective.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

It is unlikely that the delivery of this project will impact adversely on people with different marital status.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

It will be particularly important to follow co-design principles when developing the content of this project. Inclusivity of all section 75 categories will be the key.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

It will be particularly important to follow co-design principles when developing both design of the building and its content. Inclusivity of people with all aspects of disability will be very important.

Minor positive

There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors, irrespective of their religious belief.

In order to deliver on this project, recommendations from the Equality Framework will need to be adopted with the principles of inclusive design applied at each project stage. A co-design approach is recommended as well as the integration and consideration of inclusive design principles.

This is not applicable

This is not applicable

This is not applicable

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The project’s aim is to transform the tourism industry in Belfast City Region while ensuring inclusive growth. As part of the Equality Framework, all significant stages in this project will require engagement with Section 75 groups and equality impact assessment or screening in their own right. 

The concept of Belfast Stories part of the project has a great potential to better promote equality of opportunity among people of different religious belief if co-design principles are fully adopted.

This is not applicable

The project’s aim is to transform the tourism industry in Belfast City Region while ensuring inclusive growth. As part of the Equality Framework, all significant stages in this project will require engagement with Section 75 groups and equality impact assessment or screening in their own right. 

The concept of Belfast Stories part of the project has a great potential to better promote equality of opportunity among people of different religious belief if co-design principles are fully adopted.

The future visitor attraction and its governing body will be required to comply with the accessibility requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 or, if this is not possible, to make reasonable adjustments. This programme needs to incorporate to include disabled people, such as the use of captioning and audio description. The council’s Inclusive Events Guide is being included in contracts to promote inclusive and accessible events for all.

This is not applicable

This is not applicable

The Belfast Stories aspects of this project needs to ensure equal representation of residents and visitors of different religious beliefs. However, only further equality processes and co-design aspects of this project can identify synergies and develop solutions for good relations.

The Belfast Stories aspects of this project will ensure equal representation of residents and visitors of different religious beliefs. However, only further equality processes and co-design aspects of this project can identify synergies and develop solutions for good relations.

It is a commitment of this programme to ensure as much evidence as possible is gathered around the outcomes and impact, including around Section 75 groups, particularly throughout the implementation process. The delivery of this visitor attraction will ensure that it accommodates the needs of particular groups and identities and are mindful of many of the barriers highlighted earlier. This will apply both to residents and visitors.

It is envisaged that the EQIA will identify and recommend specific monitoring arrangement in terms of equality, good relations and disability duties for Belfast Stories Programme.

Screened out
It is not necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment (no impacts)