Anyone waiting on a Coronavirus Business Support Grant must be able to easily access updates on their application, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said, as he called on the Economy Minister to urgently set up a central point of contact for all those anxiously waiting. The Party’s Finance spokesperson, Mr Muir said it was “unacceptable” […]
Alliance MP Stephen Farry has welcomed the extension of the UK Government’s furloughing scheme until October but cautioned further detail is needed on how it will operate from this summer. Dr Farry was speaking after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the Job Retention Scheme, which pays 80 per cent of the wages of workers temporarily made […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed the publication of a route out of lockdown for Northern Ireland, saying the document finally provides hope of what the future might look like here. The MLA for Strangford secured confirmation from the First and deputy First Minister that the science would continue to shape how and when the […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has questioned when a multi-million pound fund designed to support the community and voluntary sector will be made to available to organisations to help them through the pandemic. The Department of Finance’s Dormant Accounts Fund takes money from dormant bank and building societies to support capacity and sustainability in the third […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has said he is concerned the UK Government’s mixed messaging over the pandemic lockdown will only cause confusion in Northern Ireland. Dr Farry was speaking after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Government’s slogan in England would now be ‘stay alert, control the virus, save lives’. “While taking into […]
Helping a local agritourism industry develop and grow will help the rural economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance Agriculture spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. Agritourism involves structured farm stays, experiences and visits and is an addition to selling produce, holding educational visits and other forms of entertainment. South Antrim MLA […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said alternative methods of payment must be found for families unable to access free school meal payments during the coronavirus pandemic due to lack of a bank account. Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, has raised the matter with Education Minister Peter Weir and questioned the […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has warned the multi-million pound allocation to hospices and the Cancer Fund for Children will not suffice to cover the needs of the charitable sector to fill gaps at this time. The £6.75 million package announced by the Department of Finance is designed to help support local hospices with […]
East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has given a cautious welcome to the news Kilroot power station is to be converted from coal-fired to gas-fired. Mr Dickson said that while the move would sustain the plant in the medium term, Northern Ireland needs a sustainable green energy plan much more thought needs to be given […]
North Down Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has called for the ‘New Normal’ to be cleaner and greener than the past, remarking that the need to tackle Climate Change to avert catastrophe will still be with us once COVID-19 passes, with a real risk that poor air quality returns if we don’t take big decisions now […]