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National Minimum Wage Rate Reminder for Summer Staff

Students and seasonal staff working in Northern Ireland are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check that they are being paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW). All workers are legally entitled to be paid the NMW. This includes temporary seasonal staff, who often work short-term contracts in bars, hotels, shops and warehouses […]

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ABC Council ‘Spots’ Banbridge Gym’s Economic Recovery

Local Banbridge gym, Apollo Fitness, sees investment of nearly £6,000 thanks to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council’s Covid-19 Revitalisation and Recovery Grant Scheme. Led by ABC Council, in conjunction with the Department for Communities and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the grant scheme launched last summer and offered local businesses […]

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Wellbeing @ the Library

A new project aimed at supporting the health and wellbeing and professional development needs of Southern Trust staff and students has been launched. ‘Wellbeing @ the Library’ was developed by the Promoting Wellbeing team in partnership with staff in the Health Care Library and with the support of the Trust’s Psychology Department. It aims to […]

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Council Launches New Campaign to Tackle Littering in the District

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched a new public awareness campaign to tackle the issue of littering and raise awareness of ‘Your Waste, Your Responsibility’. Litter is perhaps one of the most significant low-level environmental crimes affecting our district. Whilst there is no official statutory definition of litter, it can be anything that […]

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Prosecutions Over Crimes Committed During Northern Ireland Troubles to End

The British Government has announced it is effectively ending all prosecutions related to crimes committed during the Northern Ireland Troubles. Described as an amnesty for former British soldiers and former paramilitaries, the new statute of limitations will apply to incidents prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. It was confirmed in parliament on Wednesday (14th […]

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UK Government Amnesty Proposals Assault on Rule of Law and Human Rights, says Farry

UK Government proposals on legacy are an assault on the rule of law and human rights, Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has said. Dr Farry was speaking as the Secretary of State announced the statute of limitations, designed to end all prosecutions for Troubles-related cases pre-1998. The North Down MP said it was an […]

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Two Men Assaulted in Newry

Police are appealing for information following an assault in the Sugar Island area of Newry in the early hours of Sunday (11 July). Shortly after 2.30am, officers received a report that two men, aged in their 20’s had been assaulted by two unknown males as they were making their way towards a taxi depot. The […]

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HARGEY ANNOUNCES £500 RECOGNITION PAYMENT FOR THOUSANDS OF WORKERS

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that as many as 4,500 workers who assisted some of the most vulnerable people in society throughout the pandemic are to receive a special recognition payment of up to £500.  Minister Hargey confirmed that workers employed through the Supporting People (SP) Programme and the Homeless sector are to receive […]

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HARGEY WELCOMES FIRST STEPS TO LIVE MUSIC RETURNING

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed today’s (1 July) decision to relax restrictions on live music. With effect from 5 July, live music will be able to return to licensed and unlicensed premises that sell food or alcohol. Music will also be permitted at outdoor events with no restrictions on volume. Following a visit to […]

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GREEN CARDS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR DRIVERS

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has welcomed the news from the European Commission that insurance green cards are no longer needed for Northern Ireland drivers travelling to the South and the rest of the European Union. Minister Mallon said: “I am delighted that as part of a package of measures announced by the European Commission related to […]

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JCVI ADVICE ON COVID-19 BOOSTERS WELCOMED

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the advice on Covid booster vaccinations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The interim advice from JCVI is to plan to offer booster vaccines from September 2021 to maintain protection given by first and second doses. The Minister said: “Today’s announcement by JCVI is welcome news which […]

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Cllr Denise Mullen: CAPITA Control Detrimental to Victims & Survivors of Troubles

Aontú Deputy Leader & Cllr for Mid Ulster, Denise Mullen, has said CAPITA’s control over the Personal Independent Payment (PIP) scheme and their contract now for the Victims & Survivors Pensions is detrimental to the well-being and health of victims and survivors of the Troubles. Cllr Mullen: “This is one of the areas of all […]