Alliance Ballymena Councillor Patricia O’Lynn has expressed her anger following a robbery at a shop in the town. Just before 9am today (Sunday), a man armed with a knife entered a shop on the Cushendall Road and made off with cash and cigarettes. He is described as being 6ft and wearing a dark navy hooded […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed news a support service for victims of historical institutional abuse (HIA) will be in place for the arrival of the new Commissioner into post in December. The South Belfast MLA stated: “This is a vital next step towards the recognition and justice HIA victims have waited for […]
It is disappointing the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) has not agreed to take up an offer from the Department for the Economy (DFE) to continue operating HMS Caroline in Belfast, Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said. The ship, which served in World War I, has been docked in Belfast since 1924. It […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed initial success in the campaign to end car parking charges for health workers. Health Minister Robin Swann announced health and social care staff will receive free parking at Trusts until March 31, 2021, following additional funding being allocated to his Department. “I welcome that car parking charges […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said clarity is needed on funding allocated to schools as part of the Assembly’s October Monitoring Round. Mr Lyttle was speaking after the £64 million was given to help schools manage maintenance, COVID-19 pressures and free school meals, among other issues. Education Minister Peter Weir also announced the […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Department for Communities to review its assessment process for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), branding them “degrading and dehumanising”. Since the pandemic, face-to-face assessments for the benefit have been changed to telephone interviews. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said the change meant many aspects of the assessment […]
Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said the application process for a new Department for the Economy grant scheme for small businesses is “a shambles”. The COVID Restrictions Business Support Scheme was launched last night by Economy Minister Diane Dodds. It allows applications for £600 a week from businesses who don’t pay business rates, […]
Lisburn and Castlereagh Councillors have supported a motion from Alliance Councillor Sharon Lowry to write to the Communities Minister in support of the allocation of funds to those within the creative and arts sectors who have been most impacted by COVID-19 and to urge the Minister to devise a strategy for the recovery and safe […]
Alliance Group Leader on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Amanda Grehan, has said she is extremely disappointed after DUP and UUP Councillors rejected her proposal to significantly reduce the controversial £535,000 spending for Christmas lights in Lisburn, and shut down further debate at full Council. Alderman Grehan said the proposal, made initially at a […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has joined with Liberal Democrats in Britain, calling for a ‘four nations summit’ to consider a united approach to keeping family gatherings safe during the festive season. In a joint letter to the four governments of the UK, North Down MP Dr Farry, alongside Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, […]