Minister needs to explicitly state when High Street voucher will launch, says Dickson

The Economy Minister needs to explicitly state when the High Street voucher scheme will launch, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. The Department for Economy announced the scheme would begin on a date after September 12, however as of Monday there was no definite date as to the launch. “Our high streets have […]

Dickson disappointed but not surprised by Ryanair announcement

Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said he is disappointed but not surprised after Ryanair announced it would be ceasing its operations at local airports by the end of October. The airline, which only recommenced flights at Belfast City Airport in May, currently flies to routes including Krakow and Milan from Belfast International Airport. […]

Dickson welcomes high street voucher scheme but says questions remain

Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed an announcement the high street voucher scheme will finally open in September. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons made the announcement after revealing the contract had been awarded to Prepaid Financial Service. The £145 million scheme is expected to open to everyone aged 18 and over, who will be […]

DUP needs to condemn representative’s comments about local asylum seekers, says Dickson

The DUP needs to condemn comments by a local representative in relation to asylum seekers in Carrickfergus, Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has said. Mr Dickson was speaking following comments by DUP Councillor Marc Collins about a number of people who have been placed in the Loughshore Hotel in the town by the Home […]

Dickson voices dismay over Minister’s inability to accept share for consequences of Brexit on community schemes

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has voiced his dismay at the Economy Minister’s inability to accept his share of responsibility for the consequences of Brexit on funding for community schemes. Mr Dickson was speaking after asking Gordon Lyons for his assessment of the recently launched UK Community Renewal Fund and to detail the Department’s engagement with […]

Incoming Economy Minister needs to seek urgent meeting with airport and airline, says Dickson

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 […]

Dickson expresses concern after Thompson Aero Seating announcement

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, […]