Many arts venues are caught in a ‘Catch-22’ situation and are unable to access funding without paying for health and safety equipment ahead of time, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. The Strangford MLA was speaking after receiving a reply from the Department for Communities regarding the Health and Safety Capital grant, which is administered […]
The Finance Minister needs to urgently provide financial support for licensed premises at sports clubs, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after enquiring about the eligibility of premises operated by and contained within sports clubs under the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme. The response from Conor Murphy stated such premises […]
Confidence in the Education Minister’s approach to school restart is critically low, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee, was speaking after Peter Weir gave a statement to the Assembly following the threat of a recall petition by Mr Lyttle. The Minister outlined plan for remote […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed a commitment from Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend furlough until the end of April. Mr Dickson said the Economy Minister should follow his example and review the current schemes in operation as we head towards a tough third wave in the fight against Covid-19. He added: “Today’s announcement from […]
The Alliance Party’s Health Spokesperson has said the pressures across our health service have again been laid bare – this time in Antrim. She said: “My heart goes out to those patients who have spent hours awaiting admission and treatment at Antrim Area Hospital, while in pain and discomfort. “The pressures felt right across our […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle has questioned the Education Minister about what level of disruption to pupils caused by the pandemic is he willing to accept before cancelling or significantly altering assessments of GCSE, AS-Level and A-Level grades in 2021. East Belfast MLA Mr Lyttle was speaking after Peter Weir announced minor changes for those […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson, Andrew Muir MLA, has called for the millions of pounds set to be returned by supermarkets to be used as part of a local recovery fund dedicated to supporting local jobs, skills and businesses. Last week, a number of large national supermarkets and discounters announced that they would return the rates relief […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the Education Minister should have planned for early school closure for Christmas. Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee, was speaking after the Minister attended the Committee to be quizzed by MLAs on the issue. Several schools have said pupils will not be marked absent if […]
Alliance representatives have called on the Economy and Infrastructure Ministers to urgently agree a support package for taxi drivers and operators in need of assistance during the pandemic. Andrew Muir MLA and Stewart Dickson MLA were speaking after meetings of the Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committees today (Wednesday) where the issue was discussed. A support […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement the first stage of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, starting tomorrow, will include care home residents as well as workers. The residents will be prioritised in the first stage, with the first jabs being distributed to vaccinators on Tuesday (December 8). Deployment to care homes will […]