The Economy Minister needs to legislate to prevent employers giving staff redundancy pay calculated from furlough wages, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. The East Antrim MLA was speaking after Diane Dodds confirmed employers could use the wages they are paying furloughed staff – 80 per cent of contracted wages under the UK […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said he is becoming “increasingly frustrated” with the lack of detailed answers to questions supplied by Economy Minister Diane Dodds. Speaking after he received his latest round of questions aimed at answering the real concerns of the business community, Stewart said the disappointing responses left many searching for answers on […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called for votes at 16 to be extended to Northern Ireland, after new rules allowing it came into force today in Wales. Sixteen and 17-year-olds in Wales can now vote in Senedd elections, with the next one expected next year. Around 65,000 16 and 17-year-olds are expected to benefit from […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said there is no place in today’s society for thugs who seek to terrorise communities. The East Antrim MLA was speaking after his colleague Stephen Farry MP was warned loyalist paramilitaries had issued a threat against his life – along with Patsy McGlone MLA, Doug Beattie MLA and Steve Aiken […]
East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has given a cautious welcome to the news Kilroot power station is to be converted from coal-fired to gas-fired. Mr Dickson said that while the move would sustain the plant in the medium term, Northern Ireland needs a sustainable green energy plan much more thought needs to be given […]
Urgent support needs to be given to social enterprises in Northern Ireland to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. Mr Dickson, Chair of the Assembly All-Party Group on Social Enterprise, has written to Economy Minister Diane Dodds outlining his concern regarding the current funding situation, saying unless […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed his support for events marking World Cancer Day 2020, saying they will help raise awareness of efforts in cancer detection, prevention and treatment. The East Antrim MLA said his recent experience with the disease gave him a renewed focus on helping raise awareness. “Few people have not felt the […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed a move by the Department for the Economy to introduce Early Conciliation in employment disputes here from the end of this month. Conciliation is a voluntary process designed to find a mutually agreeable solution to workplace disputes where someone has or could make a claim to an […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long has announced the party’s spokespersons for the new Assembly mandate, saying the party’s representatives will continue working to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. Chris Lyttle will continue as Alliance Education spokesperson, chairing the Assembly’s Education Committee, while Paula Bradshaw will remain as Health spokesperson and also take up […]
Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed disappointment after a major local firm announced it was to close its doors. Sensata Technologies in Carrickfergus will shut its factory, with the loss of 270 jobs. The company, which makes tyre pressure sensors, blamed a downturn in the European car market for the closure, which will […]