Alliance MLAs Stewart Dickson and Andrew Muir have raised concerns over the increasing risk the Executive may have to hand back part of the COVID-19 support funding it has received from Westminster. Since the start of March, the Executive has received approximately £3 billion in funding to support individuals and organisations through the pandemic. However, […]
Alliance Infrastructure and Finance spokesperson has welcomed news the Infrastructure Minister will bring proposals for a second financial assistance scheme for taxi drivers to an Executive meeting tomorrow. Mr Muir, along with other members of the Infrastructure Committee, had raised concerns with the Minister that the initial support scheme for taxi drivers excluded those who […]
The Finance Minister needs to urgently provide financial support for licensed premises at sports clubs, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after enquiring about the eligibility of premises operated by and contained within sports clubs under the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme. The response from Conor Murphy stated such premises […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson, Andrew Muir MLA, has called for the millions of pounds set to be returned by supermarkets to be used as part of a local recovery fund dedicated to supporting local jobs, skills and businesses. Last week, a number of large national supermarkets and discounters announced that they would return the rates relief […]
Alliance representatives have called on the Economy and Infrastructure Ministers to urgently agree a support package for taxi drivers and operators in need of assistance during the pandemic. Andrew Muir MLA and Stewart Dickson MLA were speaking after meetings of the Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committees today (Wednesday) where the issue was discussed. A support […]
Alliance Party Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the announcement of reimbursement of strike pay for nurses is just the first of many towards a fair pay and conditions settlement for nurses. The South Belfast MLA said: “The announcement of reimbursement of pay for strike action is welcome, but merely repeats an assurance already […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called for legislation on gift cards to be introduced in Northern Ireland to protect consumers, after it emerged Topshop, part of the Arcadia group, has introduced new rules restricting the use of vouchers for shoppers, having gone into administration. The Arcadia group of shops, which includes Topshop, Dorothy […]
Building regulations in Northern Ireland need to be updated to ensure we meet future environmental standards, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. The Strangford MLA had asked Finance Minister Conor Murphy when building regulations would be reviewed, updated and published to ensure all new builds will meet zero carbon targets. In his reply, the Minister […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has again warned the scale of waiting lists and growing waiting times re-emphasise the need to move swiftly with the transformation process and to re-build reformed services. The South Belfast MLA was speaking as the latest waiting lists were published, showing among other figures 327,189 patients are on a […]
North Down Alliance MP, Stephen Farry, has stressed the importance of strategically investing additional spend in the necessary transformation of society and the economy, after the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed many structural weaknesses. Mr Farry was speaking after the Spending Review statement from the UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, on Wednesday. Stephen Farry said: “The Covid […]