East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long has called on the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Department to consider changing the name of the Olympic team from Team GB to Team UK in time for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Speaking during questions at Westminster today, the MP for East Belfast said the name Team UK […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed his shock and sadness at news engineering firm FG Wilson is to make almost 800 workers redundant. With premises across Larne, Monkstown, Belfast and Springvale, the firm is among the largest employers in Northern Ireland and only in July confirmed plans to shed 170 agency jobs – included in […]
Coleraine Alliance Councillor Barney Fitzpatrick has spoken of his disgust after a Chinese man was subjected to a racist attack in the town. 45-year-old John Wu was attacked by four men and a woman outside his home in the Long Commons area on Tuesday night. Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “I am absolutely disgusted at this attack […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has quizzed the Health Minister on his plans for the future of paediatric congenital cardiac services at Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital. The MLA for East Antrim said the Minister must give assurances that Belfast and Dublin will co-operate fully to deliver as good or even better service than currently on offer […]
Alliance Social Development Spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA has welcomed a Welfare Reform decision that will see some benefit claimants remain on fortnightly payments. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith unveiled his new Welfare Reform plans this week, ahead of the launch of Universal Credit – a new benefit system – next year. Universal Credit […]
Alliance East Belfast representatives have called for the Executive to take action now, ensuring the level of flooding that took place in June doesn’t happen again. In an Assembly Debate Judith Cochrane MLA and Chris Lyttle MLA today highlighted the continued problems facing their constituents following severe flooding last June. Judith Cochrane MLA said: “This […]
Naomi Long MP has called on the Government to overhaul the Air Passenger Duty system to make it fairer, including removing the double duty levied on Northern Ireland flyers changing flights at GB airports for onward travel. The East Belfast MP questioned the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Sajid Javid MP, in the House of […]
Alliance Enterprise spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has questioned why the DUP’s motion aimed at reducing the VAT rate for the Hospitality Sector was brought to the Assembly, when the issue has already been raised by Naomi Long MP at Westminster. Speaking in support of the motion – aimed at pursuing a reduced VAT rate for […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has said World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us that suicide remains a major public health issue. The MLA for Strangford spoke in the Assembly today, supporting a motion calling for an integrated strategy to assist the community and voluntary sectors in preventing suicide. The motion endorses the recommendations contained […]
Alliance Antrim Councillor Neil Kelly has expressed his shock after a women in her 30s was raped in the town on Sunday. Police are investigating the attack which took place in the Rathkyle area of Stiles between 6pm and 7.15pm on Sunday night. Councillor Neil Kelly said: “I am appalled at this horrific attack and […]