Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has reiterated her call for the Minister for Department for Work and Pensions to halt plans to end the £20 per week Covid add on to Universal Credit. As it stands, the Westminster Government still plans to end the Covid uplift payment from the 6th of October – a […]
The Communities Minister must outline how individuals and families will be protected once a number of support provisions close at the end of September, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. Speaking as the “triple hit” of the end of the emergency notice to quit provision, contained in the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill, the end […]
Alliance Education Spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has called on the Education Minister to outline her plan for better ventilation in schools. The Chair of the Education Committee, Mr Lyttle said it was important we don’t drop our guard in the fight against Covid, as the health pandemic continues. He added: “I have written to the […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the UK Government’s announcement it is extending vaccinations to all those aged 16+ demonstrates why preparations must be rapidly advanced for offering vaccines to all teenagers in Northern Ireland. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after approval was given from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has welcomed the Executive’s commitment to establishing an Infrastructure Commission in the COVID-19 Recovery Plan. Last year a Ministerial Advisory Panel established by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon recommended the establishment of a commission, similar to a body which already exists in Scotland. It is designed to set a 30-year […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed an announcement the high street voucher scheme will finally open in September. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons made the announcement after revealing the contract had been awarded to Prepaid Financial Service. The £145 million scheme is expected to open to everyone aged 18 and over, who will be […]
The lessons of the response to the pandemic should be taken to help end rough sleeping in Northern Ireland, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. The Strangford MLA said the future Homelessness Strategy by the Housing Executive, due to be published next year, as well as various other agencies’ approaches to tackling the […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called on some Executive Departments to take urgent action to support local travel agents, who have been impacted severely by the pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions. East Antrim MLA Mr Dickson held a meeting with the Association of Northern Ireland Travel Agents today, alongside Alliance colleague John Blair MLA, to […]
Greater clarity is needed from the UK Government on advice it is receiving from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) concerning vaccinations for teenagers, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said. The UK Government’s Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the JCVI has recommended children who are either almost 18, vulnerable or who […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has expressed concerns about the outcome of a review into resignations of the board of the watchdog responsible for oversight of care homes, especially the broader comments regarding governance overall. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) saw its board resign en masse last June, claiming they were not […]