Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said she is disappointed after the Capita organisation received an extension to its contract to deliver assessments for Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The organisation, which has received consistent criticism for its assessment scheme, will have its contract with the Department for Communities – initially due to expire in […]
Alliance Councillor Eóin Tennyson has said he is delighted to see the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly finally get up and running, adding those involved must seize the opportunity to address issues important to them. Championed by Alliance over the past few years, the move finally allows young people the same opportunities as their counterparts in […]
Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to urgently indicate its intentions to introduce a local scheme to address youth employment. This follows the Chancellor announcing the Kickstart scheme for Great Britain two weeks ago. As Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Farry put in place the Youth Employment Scheme […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has welcomed moves towards introducing a soft opt-out for organ donation. The South Belfast MLA stated: “I strongly welcome that progress is being made on improving the organ donation system in Northern Ireland. “It is particularly welcome that proposals are advanced towards a soft opt-out system, which is a reasonable […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the latest step in a review into health and wellbeing support for prison officers. Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the appointment of psychologist Siobhan Keating and HR Director Gillian Robinson to undertake the review. It will provide a report to the Minister by the end of October. “Prison […]
Alliance representative Helena Young has criticised those who vandalised graves in Monks Hill cemetery overnight. Speaking after she checked on the grave of two loved ones at the burial site, Helena said she was devastated to see the destruction caused to such a sacred place. She added: “It is just simply heart breaking to see […]
The Alliance Party has backed plans for a specific Climate Change Act for Northern Ireland, adding it is essential this is acted on immediately. The Party’s Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA was speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, after weeks of consistently raising concerns over the Departments seemingly pushing action on climate change to the […]
Local Government should be linked up with Executive Departments to provide a one-stop shop for those seeking advice around jobs, benefits, reskilling and training opportunities, Alliance Councillor Sorcha Eastwood has said. Councillor Eastwood was speaking after meeting with officials from the Department for Communities, alongside party colleague Kellie Armstrong MLA. She said a wraparound service […]
Alliance Councillor Rachael Ferguson has appealed for calm after petrol bombs were thrown at houses and police in Derry-Londonderry. A device was thrown into the Fountain estate in the city in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday). A second petrol bomb was thrown at police attending the scene. It follows a number of petrol bombs […]
This region needs to continue to be in compliance with the Northern Ireland Protocol, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said, after a consultation document was launched by the UK Government into the future of the UK internal market. The blueprint would see more powers handed to the devolved regions, however, standards drawn up in other […]