Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Communities Minister to extend supplementary payments for up to two years until a huge backlog of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appeals are processed. Statistics from the Department for Communities show more than 68 per cent of people have been waiting more than a year for […]
Kellie Armstrong MLA, Alliance Communities spokesperson, has welcomed the plan to replace all mobile library service vans with vehicles that use alternative, more environmentally sustainable fuel. Provision of public services has to be reviewed across all government to ensure we will meet our zero carbon targets for a cleaner and greener environment for all of […]
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 […]
Alliance MLAs have called for further clarity for a one-off bonus payment to carers in recognition of their work throughout the pandemic. Earlier this year, Health Minister Robin Swann announced health workers would receive a special payment as a mark of thanks for work carried out during the COVID-19 crisis. The Minister stated at the […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said she is disappointed no “unambiguous or unequivocal apology” has come from Sinn Féin in relation to their actions at the Bobby Storey funeral. The Strangford MLA was speaking after participating in an Assembly motion to censure Sinn Féin Ministers, after the Public Prosecution Service announced earlier this week there […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for legislation to be moved urgently to ensure welfare mitigations will continue. Without new legislation, the current package of mitigations are due to end on March 31. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said clarity was needed quickly for the thousands of people who benefit from mitigations. “Welfare mitigations […]
The Assembly needs to recognise it is comprised of people elected from all walks of life to serve the people of Northern Ireland and take action to ensure that representation, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking during a motion signed by her and representatives of all parties and independents, calling for […]
It is disappointing the Northern Ireland census still seeks to pigeonhole people’s backgrounds due to the religion they were brought up in, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. With this year’s census going live, Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said while it was a valuable source of data, it was frustrating for those who did not […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Finance Minister to consider allocating money to reform the controversial ‘six-month’ rule for terminally ill people. As part of a cross-party letter, MLAs wrote to Conor Murphy to urge him to give the Department for Communities (DFC) £2 million to progress reform of the Special […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has supported a call to improve the level of support for people who have to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19. The Independent Scientific Advisory Group (ISAG), alongside trade unions and organisations in the community sector, have written to Ministers to seek support to encourage people contacted by track […]