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Community Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Reiterates Call for Tax Cut on Energy Bills

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has reiterated calls on the British government to scrap VAT on energy bills to help families tackle the cost-of-living crisis. The Upper Bann MLA said: “Rising living costs and out of control energy prices are placing a huge burden on already struggling workers and families. “The British government should scrap […]

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Business Community Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Boris and the Tories Must Scrap VAT on Energy Bills

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said ‘extortionate hikes’ to gas prices are crippling workers and families.  Speaking after Firmus announced another 34% price in areas of the north this week, the Upper Bann MLA said: “News that Firmus are again set to increase gas prices by almost 34% is another huge blow to workers […]

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Advertising Armagh Banbridge Business Downpatrick Kilkeel Louth Lurgan Newry Portadown South Armagh South Down Upper Bann

Advertise With Clanrye News and Sport

Clanrye News and Sport is now offering advertising on its website for just £200 for the year. The news website currently covers Newry and Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann constituencies as well as County Louth. Having amassed over a quarter of a million (250,000) website hits in the space of a year. This has […]

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ABC Council Community Council Education Government Lurgan Upper Bann

Cllr Mackle Calls for Scrapping of Transfer Tests

Sinn Féin council group leader Liam Mackle has said that cruel transfer tests should be ‘scrapped’ to remove unnecessary stress from children.  The ABC representative said:  “Over the weekend many children endured the anxiety of waiting for their results from the transfer test. It is unacceptable at any time to select and reject young children […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Votes to Ban Zero Hours Contracts

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed progress on a Sinn Féin bill to Ban Zero Hour Contracts being imposed on workers and instead introducing banded hours.   The Bill is designed to ensure no worker is forced to work zero hour contracts unless they explicitly state the arrangement suits them. Speaking in the Assembly during the Bill debate Mr O’Dowd […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

O’ Dowd : Almac Analysis of Protocol Significant

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that a statement released by Almac Group outlining their analysis of the Brexit Protocol is noteworthy. The Upper Bann representative said:“Almac is one of the greatest economic success stories we have and the fact that it is headquartered right here in Upper Bann is something to be rightly […]

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Election 2022 Infrastructure Lurgan Upper Bann

Cuts to Rural Transport Should be the Last Stop not the First – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that there must be no further cuts in Translink services for rural areas.  The Upper Bann representative stated: “Once again we see rural transport being targeted for cuts. Why is cutting rural transport Translink’s proposed solution to every problem?   “Our public transport network is vital for connecting people and communities, for tackling social isolation […]

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Armagh Banbridge Business Community Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

Finalists Announced for ABC Council Business Awards

A record response from local business has seen almost 50 shortlisted businesses and individuals from over 120 entries making it through to the finals of the ABC Business Awards. 48 finalists, chosen by a panel of independent judges from an unprecedented number of entries, will now be interviewed to determine the winner in each of […]

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Community Education Lurgan Upper Bann

Choice and Cost Important When it Comes to School Uniforms – Mackle

Sinn Féin council group leader Liam Mackle has said choice as well as cost is important when it comes to school uniforms.  The ABC spokesperson was speaking after a briefing by the Children’s Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma to the Education Committee. Cllr. Mackle said:  “If given a choice there are good reasons for children to decide […]

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Community Education Government Lurgan Upper Bann Westminster

MP Praises Bleary Preschool for Positive Impact on Young Lives

Local Member of Parliament Carla Lockhart has visited Busy Bees Pre-School, Bleary, to see the pre-school in action and discuss future support for the work of the school with local young people. Carla Lockhart said: “Busy-Bees Pre-school is a fantastic asset to the community in Bleary and beyond, and a brilliant place for children to […]

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Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Pulling down Stormont won’t replace the NI Protocol – UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA

UUP leader Doug Beattie has slammed the DUP for resigning the First Minister role plunging Stormont into crisis. UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said: “Northern Ireland is facing another manufactured crisis.  This is a crisis brought about by party political interests.  This crisis will have one effect and that will be the instability of […]

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Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Dolores Kelly MLA – DUP Gross Betrayal of Local People

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has said that the actions of the DUP Leadership amount to a ‘gross betrayal’ of families across Northern Ireland who are struggling to provide for their children, heat their homes and deal with the cost of living.    SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP and Deputy Leader Minister Nichola Mallon MLA have written […]