Incoming Economy Minister Paul Frew needs to seek an urgent meeting with Belfast City Airport and Aer Lingus, after the airline announced it had stopped flights from the airport to several UK destinations. The news came after Stobart Air, which operates Aer Lingus’ regional services, moved into liquidation. Flights to a number of British cities […]
We have an opportunity to develop more local craft brewers, distiller, cideries and wineries into tourist attractions, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking ahead of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill reaching its consideration stage in the Assembly. It is designed to extending opening hours for pubs […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has expressed his concern after Thompson Aero Seating announced plans for up to 180 redundancies across its sites. The engineering company will cut the jobs jobs at locations in Portadown and Banbridge. It marks the latest announcement of job losses by the company, which makes seats for commercial airlines, […]
We may see increased exploitation of employees and a decrease in the health and well-being of workers if the Economy Minister does not implement a remote working strategy, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. Mr Dickson said such a development would ensure the benefits of remote working are maximised and current employment rights […]
Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has said he is frustrated after the Economy Minister showed “disinterest” in the continuation of the Erasmus programme for students in Northern Ireland. Mr Dickson wrote to Diane Dodds to enquire about the continuation of the Erasmus programme in Northern Ireland. The EU initiative provides opportunities for students to […]
Questions remain on how two schemes designed to stimulate the economy will work, Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said. The party’s Economy spokesperson was speaking after asking Economy Minister Diane Dodds for an update on the High Street Voucher Scheme and Holiday at Home Scheme. The former will see members of the public receive a […]
The focus across West Tyrone must be on regenerating town centres and allowing villages to prosper after the pandemic, Alliance’s Stephen Donnelly has said. Councillor Donnelly, recently selected as Alliance’s West Tyrone spokesperson, said towns and villages throughout the constituency had been deeply damaged by the effects of COVID-19 and its consequences but as […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said while a new scheme for youth employment is welcome, it should have been established months ago. The JobStart scheme, which was originally due last year, is designed to support 16-24-year-olds who are facing difficulties getting into employment due to the pandemic. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said the […]
A roll-out of universal basic income (UBI) could get people back on their feet financially in the recovery from the COVID pandemic, Alliance South Down representative Patrick Brown has said. Councillor Brown, recently selected as Alliance’s representative for the constituency, said a new group established to explore the feasibility of UBI trials in Northern […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed a major support package which has been announced for travel agents. The £1.175 million scheme will provide support to travel agents for eventual reopening, and adjusting to the challenges of the pandemic. It will include a flat payment of £10,000 for businesses operating from retail premises and […]