CLANRYE NEWS 
A new Bill to reduce the costs of school uniforms has been introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly by Education Minister Paul Givan. The Bill will provide the necessary powers to make a difference in terms of affordability of school uniforms. Paul Givan said: “Today’s introduction of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill is a major […]
The SDLP Opposition has called for immediate interventions to address the harmful impact of the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments. SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan warned that the delay is pushing vulnerable individuals into debt and in some cases towards illegal lending. Mr Durkan said: “The five-week wait and inextricable links with illegal […]
People Before Profit Newry has organised a public consultation meeting, on the topic of the escalating housing crisis and its devastating impact on working class communities. The meeting will take place in Ballybot House, on Thursday 6th February at 7pm. Attendees will also provide feedback on draft proposals for MLA Gerry Carroll’s new private members […]
At the Council meeting on Monday 3 February 2025, Members of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council struck the rate for the incoming financial year at 3.98%. The Domestic Rate for 2025/2026 will be 0.4862 pence. For a property valued at £133,000*, this would lead to an annual increase of £24.74 per year or £2.06 […]
The Housing Executive will be contacting its tenants over the next weeks about their annual rent charges, which will increase by 2.7% from 7th April. This equates to an increase of £2.16 on the average weekly rent and will bring the average rent for a Housing Executive home to £82.05 a week, excluding rates. Each tenant will […]
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said that the Executive is failing people across the North by not bringing forward an anti-poverty strategy. He was speaking following a High Court case on the matter on Friday. Mr. McNulty said: “The Executive’s failure to bring forward or even prioritise an anti-poverty strategy sends a […]
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a 20% increase in maximum student maintenance loans from academic year 2025/26. The increase will provide students with an estimated additional £50million per year to assist with living costs. The Minister said: “I am acutely aware of the difficulties that continue to be faced in the current cost-of-living crisis by […]
Over 200 residents gathered at Killeavy Castle, Newry, and the Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch, for groundbreaking ‘Blue Monday’ events, aimed at addressing household finances, managing credit, and learning effective shopping and saving strategies. The 20 January events, organised by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council District Electoral Area (DEA) Fora, were funded through the UK Shared […]
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the pay agreement between the Department of Health and the British Medical Association (BMA). The party’s health spokesperson said: “I warmly welcome the outcome of the pay negotiations. This will see a pay deal secured for resident doctors which is recognition of the invaluable work they do for their patients. […]
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has criticised a decision to delay the one-off £100 winter fuel payment for pensioner households until the end of March 2025. The MLA for Foyle commented: “It’s shameful that not one penny of support has been paid to pensioner households missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment this year. “Before Christmas […]
Nicola Grant Workers Party representative has called on the Northern Ireland Insurance Ombudsman to take action on the insurance premiums companies are charging to their customers here . She says we have the highest premiums in the United Kingdom. Forcing many residents especially those on low incomes, old age pensions, state benefits, no other choice […]
Northern Ireland has the cheapest car insurance figures for young drivers across the UK. Despite this age group still suffering soaring premiums, Northern Ireland was recorded as cheapest across the 17-24, 25-34 and 35-44 age categories, according to the latest quarterly car insurance index figures. Research by car insurance comparison experts CompareNI, shows that in Northern Ireland, 17–24-year-olds […]
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