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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Education Government Stormont

Baby Books Scheme Latest Casualty of Budget Cuts 

SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said that the free books for babies scheme is the latest victim of the political stalemate at Stormont and Tory austerity. He was speaking after the Department of Education said it could no longer fund the Book Start Baby programme. It is the latest in a number of vital […]

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Banbridge Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Education Government Health Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Abhorrent That Vulnerable Children Are Paying The Price For Lack of Budget and Political Instability, says Tennyson

Alliance Upper Bann MLA, Eóin Tennyson, has said it is abhorrent that vulnerable children and young people in Northern Ireland are paying the price for the lack of a confirmed budget and the DUP’s boycott of Stormont.  He spoke following news this morning that funding for Healthy Happy Minds, the Engage programme, and the School […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

Community Jobs Face Axe

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said time is running out for groups funded by the European Social Fund who face a cliff-edge at the end of this week.  The Upper Bann representative said:  “Time is running out for groups funded by the European Social Fund organisations, their workers and the people who use their […]

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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont Westminster

SDLP: Addressing Economic Imbalance Must Be Priority

SDLP Jobs & Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin has called for intensive work to address regional economic imbalance across the North, adding that it must be the priority of any restored Executive. She was speaking after introducing a motion at the SDLP Conference in Derry.  Foyle MLA Ms McLaughlin said:  “Decades of chronic under-investment and economic […]

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Business Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh Stormont

Increase to Parking Charges is Another Blow to Local Businesses – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the news that car parking charges in Newry are set to increase will be another blow to local traders in the City. The Newry & Armagh MLA said: “The announcement from DFI that on-street car parking charges in Newry are set to increase will leave shoppers and local […]

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Business Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

Electric Ireland Announces Second Tariff Change in 2023

Electric Ireland will decrease its electricity tariff by 9.2% from 1 April 2023. This follows a 23.9% tariff increase on the 1 January 2023. This price reduction coincides with the UK Government’s announcement that the rate of EPG is reducing in Northern Ireland from 13.608p/kWh to 3.77p/kWh (excluding VAT) for electricity, meaning that consumer’s bills […]

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Campaigns Cost of Living Government Health Politics Stormont Westminster

UNISON Asks Where is NI Pay Offer?

Following the announcement of a pay offer to NHS staff in England UNISON’s Health Committee in Northern Ireland is now asking the question when will a pay offer be made to health staff here?  Meeting today Thursday March 16th in emergency session, UNISON’s Industrial Action planning team is asking if new money, promised by the […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont Westminster

Executive Should Be Restored to Support Families With Childcare – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said more must be done to cut childcare costs for families and remove barriers to employment. Speaking from Washington today the party’s economy spokesperson renewed calls for a restored Executive to support families with childcare. Conor Murphy said: “Childcare is a huge issue for workers and families and can […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

Executive Needed to Help Families in Need of Care Packages – Kimmins

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said an Executive is needed now to help families in need of care packages and to invest in the under-pressure health service. Commenting on reports from the Department of Health that 2,780 people are waiting for a care package, the party’s social care spokesperson said: “The sharp decline in the […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Stormont

Housing Executive Calls for Legislation to Prevent Homelessness

Following the publication of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People’s (NICCY) research report into the experience of children and families facing homelessness, Housing Executive Chief Executive, Grainia Long, has called for a strategic shift towards prevention of homelessness. She said: “Our statutory obligation is to provide solutions for homelessness, when it has […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Politics Stormont

Homelessness Report Shows ‘Basic Minimum’ Is Not Being Set to Support Children, Young People and Families in Northern Ireland

While most children do live in adequate housing, this report launched today (Thursday), demonstrates that in Northern Ireland, there is ‘a long way to go to achieve this for all children and young people.’ ‘A Place to Call Home’, produced by Queen’s University, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Stormont

Increased Mileage Rate Set to Continue for HSC Staff

The Department of Health has confirmed that Health Trust staff will continue to receive an enhanced mileage rate. In June 2022, former Health Minister Robin Swann announced an increase to the rate for work-related car travel for Agenda for Change (AfC) staff, including Trust employed domiciliary care workers and district nurses. The rates previously were […]