Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has voiced his dismay at the Economy Minister’s inability to accept his share of responsibility for the consequences of Brexit on funding for community schemes. Mr Dickson was speaking after asking Gordon Lyons for his assessment of the recently launched UK Community Renewal Fund and to detail the Department’s engagement with […]
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery has said the erection of UVF facades on a building is simply an attempt to intimidate local residents. The signs, from the Mid-Ulster UVF and associated other paramilitaries, replaced facades of Edward Carson and the Somme among other historical events on the side of the Housing Executive property in Pollock […]
All attacks on culture are wrong, Alliance Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative Matt Beaumont has said, as he condemned the depiction of an Orange man hanging and the burning of flags on bonfires. Speaking after the orange effigy had been removed, Matt said: “Everyone has the right to celebrate their culture and there is absolutely […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said she is delighted after the Communities Minister announced plans to stop the ‘six-month’ rule for people on benefits with a terminal illness. Under the current rules, certain benefits for those with a terminal illness can be fast-tracked if they can produce a doctor’s note saying they have six months […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes the stark but well researched report by the NI Public Service Office (NIPSO) who have identified ‘systemic maladministration’ in the PIP system. After the new report highlighted significant failings in the system, Kellie – Vice Chair of the Communities committee, called on the Minister to urgently outline her planned actions […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has backed plans to see a return to hybrid meeting models for Council meetings across Northern Ireland. The Vice Chair of the Communities Committee was speaking as the Local Government Bill was given the go-ahead for accelerated passage through the Assembly, after the legislation ran out in early May. Kellie said: […]
Alliance is to offer bereavement leave for employees affected by miscarriage and stillbirth, Chief Whip Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking ahead of the latest stage of the Parental Bereavement Bill in the Assembly today (Monday). It aims to bring in statutory paid leave of two weeks for those who have suffered […]
Kellie Armstrong MLA has hit out at both DUP and SF for playing games with lives due to delays in legislation. Alliance’s Communities spokesperson has said she is at “the end of her tether” with how the DUP and Sinn Fein are using people living in poverty as a political football. She added: “The budget […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed the findings of an investigation into PIP by the NI Audit Office. Released today, the report demonstrates key areas for improvement, which Kellie says now must be taken forward to aid those in need of PIP across Northern Ireland. She added: “The findings of this report will be welcome […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said she is disappointed after plans to scrap the ‘six-month’ rule for those with terminal illnesses claiming benefits appeared to be put on the back-burner by the Department for Communities. The Strangford MLA was speaking after a meeting of the Assembly’s Communities Committee, during which it was confirmed […]