Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has pledged her support to a campaign trying to prevent pubs going out of existence during the pandemic. The party’s Communities spokesperson said CAMRA NI’s Save Our Pubs campaign, which is calling for a long-term financial support package from the Executive to support pubs, breweries and local producers, as well as […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed news the current Covid-19 self-isolation grant is set to be enhanced. The Alliance Party’s Communities spokesperson was speaking after the Minister revealed the improved scheme will increase the daily allowance payable and extend the number of days for which a grant can be awarded. She said: “Whilst Northern Ireland […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has pressed the Economy Minister for clarity around when the Covid-19 Business Support Scheme will open to further recipients. To date the roll out of financial aid has been slow, with as yet no access for those to support businesses in the direct supply chain of others required to close or […]
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said he is “deeply concerned” at impact Covid-19 is having on the DVA, after figures revealed the organisation had suffered multi-million pound losses and confirmation that vehicle testing capacity is at only 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels. A Northern Ireland Audit Office report found that after MOT testing […]
Stewart Dickson MLA has said Diane Dodds needs to focus on helping all those in need of financial aid, as it was revealed a significant number of recipients are still waiting on grant payments. He said: “What has been lost in the DUP’s attempts to upend the regulations this week is that their own Economy […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has urged the Health Minister to come to a conclusion swiftly on the re-introduction of shielding, given that further public spaces will re-open in just a week. The South Belfast Alliance MLA said: “Had the medical guidance and scientific advice been followed, as we and the Minister wished, we may […]
The alternative to tonight’s compromise Executive deal on coronavirus restrictions was to have the regulations fall and revert to the previous regulations in place during the start of October, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said. Mrs Long said the compromise deal was “far from perfect” but was preferable to the alternative, which would have […]
Alliance Councillors are aiming to make it easier to enjoy open, public spaces as the current Covid-19 restrictions continue, suggesting ‘Parklets’ as the way forward for meet ups outdoors. East Belfast Councillors Ross McMullan and Peter McReynolds brought a motion suggesting a greater use of Parklets to City Growth and Regeneration committee last night, where […]
Statutory sick pay (SSP) needs to be increased in line with the real living wage, to prevent anyone being forced to choose between their health and paying bills, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. The Strangford MLA said she had heard anecdotal evidence of some people deleting the Stop COVID app, due to […]
There needs to be a clear and future-proofed economic strategy for Northern Ireland, in which manufacturing can play a key role, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. Mr Dickson was speaking after the Assembly heard a motion calling for an Executive manufacturing strategy to help the sector recover and grow following the pandemic. […]