A number of gaps remain following the Chancellor’s announcement around the UK Government’s pandemic economy plan, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. Dr Farry was speaking after Rishi Sunak said a Jobs Support Scheme would replace the furlough scheme, meaning workers would get three-quarters of their regular salaries for six months. The North Down MP, […]
The Alliance Party has stepped up its campaign to urge the Economy Minister to take action for businesses and workers who currently don’t qualify for financial aid as the impact of Covid-19 continues. Stewart Dickson MLA and Andrew Muir MLA raised the issue in the Assembly today, following a special meeting with the Minister last […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said the pandemic could kill off the arts in Northern Ireland unless a multi-million-pound rescue package is released. The £33 million for theatres, arts, music venues and museums was given to the Executive during the summer. However, the money has still to be released. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has described as “disappointing” a meeting with the Economy Minister regarding traders excluded from her grant schemes, but said he hopes progress will still be made in achieving parity for them. Mr Dickson was speaking after meeting with Diane Dodds, alongside members of the Excluded NI group. The organisation […]
Alliance Councillor Sorcha Eastwood has said a youth employment scheme is urgently needed in Northern Ireland, after young people across the rest of Great Britain start benefiting from similar schemes today. The Kickstart Scheme was announced by the Chancellor on July 8, allowing young people a chance at gaining work and experience, while young people […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said he is pleased the Economy Minister has announced a new law ensuring furloughed employees made redundant receive statutory redundancy pay based on their normal wages. Mr Dickson made the call last month for Northern Ireland to come into line with the rest of the UK, asking Diane Dodds to […]
The UK economy suffering its first recession for over a decade is more proof Northern Ireland needs its own economic recovery plan, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. The economic slump of 20.4 per cent between April and June – the biggest on record for the UK since records began – mean the […]
East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called on the Economy Minister to act urgently to protect workers facing redundancy, as the Government in London has confirmed it will legislate to ensure redundancy is calculated on the basis of contractual pay, rather than furlough pay. Mr Dickson commented: “I have been aware of this issue […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said an additional £600 million allocated to Northern Ireland to fight effects of the pandemic must be allocated without delay, as too many people continue to suffer the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Muir was speaking after the additional money was confirmed, expressing concern that with no […]
Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to urgently indicate its intentions to introduce a local scheme to address youth employment. This follows the Chancellor announcing the Kickstart scheme for Great Britain two weeks ago. As Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Farry put in place the Youth Employment Scheme […]