Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed the UK Government deciding not to challenge a court ruling stating Personal Independence Payments (PIP) were unfair to people will mental health conditions. In December, the High Court ruled changes made by the Government to PIP last year, which limited the amount of support people with mental health could […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has said proposed new boundary changes are “bizarre”. Under the proposed new constituencies, Northern Ireland’s overall seats will be reduced from 18 to 17, however, Belfast is set to retain its four seats, a move South Antrim MLA Mr Ford said was not sustainable or practical. “The original proposals in 2016 […]
Lisburn Alliance Alderman Stephen Martin has called on all Northern Ireland’s MPs to support the campaign by Employers for Childcare to prevent childcare vouchers being phased out, a move which has the potential to leave some families worse off in the future. “The UK government has proposed to close the Childcare Voucher scheme to new […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has called for a clear commitment from Labour to the UK remaining within the Single Market and Customs Union or a special deal for Northern Ireland. Dr Farry was speaking after meeting with Labour Brexit spokesperson Sir Keir Starmer. He said an Alliance delegation stressed the need for clarity […]
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said the reduction in the sentence handed to a senior paramilitary leader who turned state witness sends “a worrying message”. Mr Lunn was speaking after Gary Haggarty had his 35-year jail term reduced to six-and-a-half years after providing ‘supergrass’ evidence on loyalist murders and attempted murders. However, only one man […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called for votes at 16 to be extended to Northern Ireland, after the Welsh Government said it wished to do similar. Welsh Cabinet Secretary Alun Davies said any changes would be in place for Welsh Council elections in 2022. Scotland lowered its voting age to 16 for the independence referendum […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has urged anyone with information regarding an explosion in the Fraser Pass area of East Belfast to contact the PSNI immediately. The local MLA said: “The actions of those behind this incident must be condemned. Not only was a lot of local disruption caused, but the consequences of what occurred could […]
Alliance Party Deputy Leader, Stephen Farry, has said Northern Ireland risks slipping behind neighbouring jurisdictions in key areas, as he criticised the lack of a strategic approach to the budget outlook consultation. Outlining his party’s response to the consultation document issued by the Department of Finance in December – which closed on January 26 – […]
Alliance East Belfast MLAs have said the US International Trade Commission’s ruling in favour of Bombardier is great news for the city and Northern Ireland. Naomi Long MLA and Chris Lyttle MLA were speaking after the ITC rejected Boeing’s claim, discarding the previous temporary duties imposed on Bombardier’s C-Series jets. “We welcome this ruling and […]
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has declared support for Holocaust Memorial Day, saying its lessons are more important than ever before. Tomorrow (January 27) marks Holocaust Memorial Day, which remembers the millions of Jews and others killed under Nazi persecution, as well as more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The theme for this […]