Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has welcomed news thousands of pensioners in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will no longer have to undergo repeat assessments for the benefit. The Department for Communities said it would make the change this spring, to mirror existing legislation in the rest of the UK. It means up to 7,500 […]
Alliance is the only party prepared to stand up to the DUP and Sinn Féin’s continued carve up of ratepayers money, as the Party confirmed it would be returning to the Northern Ireland Audit Office on the issue. Councillor Nuala McAllister made the comments as all other parties fell in behind the DUP and Sinn […]
Alliance Councillor Michael Long is backing the call for a million new trees for Belfast – a proposal put forward by Belfast Metropolitan Resident Group. Set to second a motion tonight, the proposed plan will build on the amount of new trees already pledged in the Draft Belfast Local Development Plan. Councillor Michael Long said: […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said figures showing drug-related deaths among males here have almost doubled in the past decade show the need to prioritise mental well-being services and to reallocate resources to therapeutic and counselling services. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after statistics by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has expressed her dismay and disappointment the proposed budget for Executive Departments for 2019/20 continues to provide no allocation to implement the recommendations of the Hart Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse. The South Belfast MLA stated: “It is beyond frustrating political failure in both Belfast and London now appears […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the financial crisis facing our education system is at breaking point. Mr Lyttle was speaking after hosting the National Association of Head Teachers Northern Ireland’s Education Crisis Session at Parliament Buildings. He said every child was entitled to a high quality education. “One of my last acts […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said while he welcomes the announcement of additional funding for legacy inquests, the process should have begun several years ago. Mr Dickson was speaking after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced new funding to deal with outstanding legacy cases over the next six years. It follows work carried […]
Northern Ireland’s latest Budget is “a series of quick fixes used to plug holes in a sinking boat,” Alliance Finance spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said. Dr Farry was speaking as Secretary of State Karen Bradley unveiled Stormont’s 2019-20 Budget. He said without Executive Ministers to take decisions, an “unsustainable spending pattern” will continue. “This […]
Alliance Councillor Owen Gawith has welcomed the decision by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to appoint an independent member to the Audit and Governance Committee – a move pushed by Alliance for the second year running. Proposed by Councillor Gawith, the decision is a step forward towards greater openness and transparency in how the Council […]
Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has encouraged people to participate in a process designed to decide on environmental improvements at Bloomfield Walkway. Work is due to start on the stretch of walkway, which runs from the Beersbridge Road onto the Upper Newtownards Road at Holywood Arches, at the end of March. Plans include new […]