Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA has cautioned against lighting fires on private property, due to the unknown impact excess pollution could have on those self-isolating nearby. With recycling centres closed and people enjoying the better weather, the MLA for South Antrim has raised the issue directly with the Environment Minister, asking guidance to be published as […]
Delays in paying small businesses by the Department for the Economy could lead to some going out of business, Alliance Councillor Amanda Grehan has said. Lisburn South Councillor Ms Grehan said she had been contacted by a number of local businesses in her constituency and beyond who had applied for the Department’s £10,000 one-off grant, […]
Alliance MLA for North Down Andrew Muir has called for car insurance providers to update and refund user premiums as the Coronavirus crisis continues. The MLA and Party Finance & Infrastructure Spokesperson said it was disappointing not all car insurance providers had acknowledged the need to do so – a move already taken by one […]
A targeted extension of a rates holiday is essential as part of a strategic package of tailored measures to help businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced the deferral of the issuing of rates for businesses from this month until June. Dr Farry said there […]
The delay and problems in launching the portal for hospitality, tourism, retail and leisure businesses to apply for a grant means some companies will be in even more dire circumstances, Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. Mr Muir was speaking as the portal, allowing such businesses to apply for £25,000 aid, was launched […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has called for all care home staff to be tested urgently for coronavirus, and added there should be no requirement for it to be done via a drive-through facility. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after it was revealed there had been 53 care homes which have seen an […]
Urgent support needs to be given to social enterprises in Northern Ireland to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. Mr Dickson, Chair of the Assembly All-Party Group on Social Enterprise, has written to Economy Minister Diane Dodds outlining his concern regarding the current funding situation, saying unless […]
Local guidelines relating to people with autism or learning disabilities being able to leave their homes more than once a day to exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown need to be updated to reflect UK Government advice, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair was speaking after raising the issue at today’s meeting of the […]
Fairness and equity must be at the heart of the process awarding pupils grades in the cancelled GCSE, AS and A-Levels, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. It follows Education Minister Peter Weir confirming teachers will predict the grades they think pupils would have achieved, with schools also asked to rank pupils in […]
Alliance Councillor Eóin Tennyson has called on universities and the Minister for the Economy to introduce ‘no-detriment’ policies to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on students in third level education. Councillor Tennyson, a former Queen’s University student, said it was an anxious time for students, who had had their education severely disrupted by COVID-19. “Our […]