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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has voiced serious concerns over the worsening energy crisis in Northern Ireland and beyond. Mr Dickson said recent price hikes would pose huge financial challenges for many. “In this year alone, both of Northern Ireland’s gas providers, and all six electricity providers, have increased their prices. Since January, gas prices have […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed a new initiative unveiled this week by the Department of Justice to tackle hate crimes in the work place. In recognition of Hate Crimes Awareness week, Minister Naomi Long revealed three new guides had been produced in conjunction with the Labour Relations Agency – focusing on employees, managers and […]
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 […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said he hopes a High Court judgement which ruled the DUP’s boycott of North-South meetings is unlawful would lead the party to reconsider their non-attendance. Mr Dickson was speaking after Mr Justice Scofield made the ruling at Belfast High Court, which the DUP was carrying out in opposition to the […]
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 […]
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 […]