CLANRYE NEWS 
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 […]
Newry SDLP Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan have secured a commitment that Newry Mourne and Down District Council will respond to DfI Southern Relief Road consultation, affirming opposition to any proposal for a fixed bridge over Newry Canal. Council has also agreed to write the incoming Infrastructure Minister to clarify if she shares the […]
The Department of Health has come under sharp criticism for its failure to schedule a public meeting in Newry as part of an ongoing consultation into hospital reconfiguration. The consultation ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcome’ has recommended designating Daisy Hill as a General Hospital, “providing defined secondary care services…geared to a specific, […]
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 […]
Sinn Féin Newry & Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins has called for greater transparency on the past failures in cervical screening in the Southern Trust. The party’s health spokesperson said: “The cervical screening failures have profoundly undermined public confidence, especially among the 17,500 women who tests were reviewed. Transparency, accountability, and restoring confidence are vital moving […]
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 […]
CLANRYE NEWS