“Beyond comprehension” Executive money unallocated while cost of living rise continues, says Dickson

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said it is “beyond comprehension” Executive money unallocated while a rise in the cost of living happens, Mr Dickson was speaking after the Finance Minister gave a Budget update to the Assembly yesterday (Tuesday). He revealed if the Executive was still in place, there would be an additional £300 million […]

Decisions over future of non-domestic RHI scheme unable to be taken due to DUP Executive collapse, says Dickson

Decisions over the future of the non-domestic RHI scheme cannot be taken thanks to the DUP’s collapsing of the Executive, Alliance’s Stewart Dickson MLA has said. Mr Dickson was speaking after receiving confirmation from the Economy Minister decision-making has stalled in relation to the scheme. The Alliance MLA had enquired when Gordon Lyons intended to […]

Dickson expresses concern at potential winter energy affordability crisis

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called for urgent action from the Department for the Economy and the Department for Communities to tackle the increasing pressures of energy costs on vulnerable households. Mr Dickson was commenting following a further announcement from the Utility Regulator that energy prices will likely continue to rise sharply as wholesale fuel […]

Dickson: We must have a voice on issues impacting us in NI

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has backed calls for greater interaction between the Assembly and the European Parliament, allowing for local representatives direct input into legislation affecting Northern Ireland. Speaking during a debate in the Assembly, Mr Dickson said the current vacuum is a direct impact of Brexit and the ending of Northern Ireland electing its […]

Dickson: Gas caverns decision is devastating for local area

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said the decision by DUP AERA Minister Edwin Poots to green light plans for under sea gas storage at Islandmagee as a ‘devastating blow’. Speaking after the Marine Construction Licence for the Larne Lough area was granted, Mr Dickson said it was time for all local representatives to come together […]

Potential security breach with voucher scheme roll out is worrying, says Dickson

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said a potential security breach in the roll out of the High Street Voucher scheme is absolutely unacceptable. Mr Dickson – the Party’s Economy spokesperson – said he had been contacted by constituents who had received cards meant for other people, as the first round began to roll out across […]

Department needs to outline support measures it will provide after furlough ends, says Dickson

The Department for the Economy needs to outline what steps it is taking to support businesses once furlough ends this week, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. The financial support scheme was introduced at the start of the pandemic, to pay 80 per cent of an organisation’s wage bill, to keep staff on […]