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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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Community Upper Bann

Planning Consent for Scarva Playpark a Big Step Forward – MP

Carla Lockhart MP has said the granting of planning permission for a new state of the art playpark in Scarva is a significant step forward in making the plan a reality for local children. The DUP MP said: “This is fantastic news for the children of Scarva, who will love their new play park when […]

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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 Council Government Newry NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Council Strikes 2022/23 Rate Keeping Increase Below 2%

At the Council meeting of 7 February 2022, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council struck a district rate for the April 2022 – March 2023 financial year of 1.95%. The Domestic Rate for 2022/2023 will be 0.4224 pence (2021/2022 equivalent 0.4067 pence). The Non-Domestic District Rate for 2022/23 will be 24.9209 pence (2021/2022 equivalent 23.9970 […]

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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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Business Council Government Newry NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Rate Set to Protect Public Services Across Newry Mourne & Down – Cllr. Ó Muirí

Councillor Barra Ó Muirí, Group Leader for Sinn Féin on Newry Mourne & Down Council has commented on the striking of the District Rate of 1.95%. “Sinn Féin’s priority in the striking of the rate has been to protect and improve public services, and to strike a fair rate for workers and families.  “Last year […]

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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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Agriculture Business Government Upper Bann Westminster

Lockhart Meets Cross-Party Group of MPs to Rally Support for Red Diesel Rethink

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has met with MPs from across the various Westminster parties this week to garner support for a joint approach to the Treasury for a red diesel rebate rethink.  Carla Lockhart said:  “The debate I hosted in Parliament last week had cross-party support – Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, SNP MPs all […]

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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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Community Government Upper Bann Westminster

Horrors of Holocaust Must Never be Forgotten – Lockhart

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has joined with MPs from across the United Kingdom in signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, pledging support for Holocaust Commemoration on behalf of the people of Upper Bann. Carla Lockhart said: “Between 1941 and 1945, six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered by the Nazis […]