Stewart Dickson MLA has said Diane Dodds needs to focus on helping all those in need of financial aid, as it was revealed a significant number of recipients are still waiting on grant payments. He said: “What has been lost in the DUP’s attempts to upend the regulations this week is that their own Economy […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has urged the Health Minister to come to a conclusion swiftly on the re-introduction of shielding, given that further public spaces will re-open in just a week. The South Belfast Alliance MLA said: “Had the medical guidance and scientific advice been followed, as we and the Minister wished, we may […]
The alternative to tonight’s compromise Executive deal on coronavirus restrictions was to have the regulations fall and revert to the previous regulations in place during the start of October, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said. Mrs Long said the compromise deal was “far from perfect” but was preferable to the alternative, which would have […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has welcomed the announcement of Northern Ireland’s first clean air strategy document by the Environment Minister. The member of the APG on Lung Health at Stormont said: “This announcement fulfils a significant commitment from the New Decade New Approach and I welcome the announcement of the Clean Air Strategy […]
Alliance Councillors are aiming to make it easier to enjoy open, public spaces as the current Covid-19 restrictions continue, suggesting ‘Parklets’ as the way forward for meet ups outdoors. East Belfast Councillors Ross McMullan and Peter McReynolds brought a motion suggesting a greater use of Parklets to City Growth and Regeneration committee last night, where […]
Statutory sick pay (SSP) needs to be increased in line with the real living wage, to prevent anyone being forced to choose between their health and paying bills, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. The Strangford MLA said she had heard anecdotal evidence of some people deleting the Stop COVID app, due to […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has received confirmation the minimum income floor for self-employed universal credit claimants will remain suspended until next year. Following the extension by the UK Government, Ms Armstrong wrote to Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín to enquire about discussions with her counterparts in Westminster regarding extending the suspension here. The minimum income floor […]
There needs to be a clear and future-proofed economic strategy for Northern Ireland, in which manufacturing can play a key role, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. Mr Dickson was speaking after the Assembly heard a motion calling for an Executive manufacturing strategy to help the sector recover and grow following the pandemic. […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has questioned the Economy Minister on how she plans to avoid the loss of jobs as Caterpillar in Larne and Belfast. The announcement was unexpectedly made last week. Stewart Dickson said: “This has come as a devastating blow to Larne, with many families facing extremely hard times in the run up […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has asked the Education Minister why school restart funding is not available to special schools. In a statement to the Assembly, the Education Minister Peter Weir referenced his ‘concern’ for pupils with complex and additional learning needs but the East Belfast MLA has asked why then the Minister’s Engage […]