Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed news of a coronavirus vaccine breakthrough which can prevent more than 90 per cent of people getting COVID-19 but warned caution is needed as the detail of the vaccine and the logistics of any delivery are worked out. Developers Pfizer and BioNTech have tested the vaccine on […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has given a cautious welcome to the news furlough will be extended until the end of March 2021. He said: “While this news will give many hope for an easier Christmas period, it is still extremely concerning the growing numbers who continue to be excluded from any financial aid. “I also […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has welcomed a commitment to having a programme of virus surveillance in wastewater in place in Northern Ireland next month. Having raised the issue with the Agriculture Minister, the South Belfast MLA stated: “I welcome the very clear commitment to ensuring Northern Ireland’s participation in COVID-19 surveillance in wastewater after […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said clarity is needed on funding allocated to schools as part of the Assembly’s October Monitoring Round. Mr Lyttle was speaking after the £64 million was given to help schools manage maintenance, COVID-19 pressures and free school meals, among other issues. Education Minister Peter Weir also announced the […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Department for Communities to review its assessment process for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), branding them “degrading and dehumanising”. Since the pandemic, face-to-face assessments for the benefit have been changed to telephone interviews. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said the change meant many aspects of the assessment […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said the application process for a new Department for the Economy grant scheme for small businesses is “a shambles”. The COVID Restrictions Business Support Scheme was launched last night by Economy Minister Diane Dodds. It allows applications for £600 a week from businesses who don’t pay business rates, […]
Lisburn and Castlereagh Councillors have supported a motion from Alliance Councillor Sharon Lowry to write to the Communities Minister in support of the allocation of funds to those within the creative and arts sectors who have been most impacted by COVID-19 and to urge the Minister to devise a strategy for the recovery and safe […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has joined with Liberal Democrats in Britain, calling for a ‘four nations summit’ to consider a united approach to keeping family gatherings safe during the festive season. In a joint letter to the four governments of the UK, North Down MP Dr Farry, alongside Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the Health Minister must explain the discrepancy in cross-border testing policy, as contacts of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Northern Ireland are still told not to seek a test unless they have symptoms but in the Republic they are offered one regardless. The South Belfast MLA […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the Department of Health must ensure resources are available for extra staff and infection control measures after an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Ulster Hospital. Media reports state five patients and six staff from a medical ward at the hospital are affected, with further test results to […]