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Banbridge Community Government Politics Upper Bann Westminster

Chancellor Should Shelve National Insurance Increase! – Lockhart

Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, to shelve plans to raise National Insurance Contributions scheduled to take effect from 1st April 2022. The MP made the call in a letter to the Chancellor, urging the change in policy to support working families and ‘squeezed middle’ […]

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Education Lurgan Upper Bann

Each Rural School Has Its Own Unique Story-O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said there cannot be a blanket approach to rural schools from the Education Authority and the Department of Education when it comes to Area Planning. The former Education Minister said: “Rural schools are the heartbeat of local communities in Upper Bann and further afield, and the Education Authority shouldn’t […]

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Infrastructure Lurgan Upper Bann

Kelly Welcomes Greenway Development Support

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has welcomed a programme to provide greenway development support from SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon. Minister Mallon has awarded a grant of £50,000 to Sustrans to carry out an assessment of the current state of greenway development across the north and develop a phased programme of greenway delivery in […]

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Education Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Welcomes Funding Boost for Special Educational Needs

Sinn Féin MLA John ODowd has welcomed the announcement by finance minister Conor Murphy which will see an additional £18 million of funding to support children with special educational needs.  This money forms part of a £40 million funding package for education. The Upper Bann spokesperson and former Education Minister said: “I welcome this funding announcement of […]

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Business Community Lurgan Upper Bann

Mackle Welcomes Extra Funding Announcement

Sinn Féin Council Group Leader Liam Mackle has welcomed extra funding announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey for local Councils for rates support. The ABC representative said: “I welcome the announcement by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey that local Councils will receive extra money for the Rates Support Grant which will now total over £21 million. […]

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Banbridge Crime Upper Bann

Armed Robbery at Banbridge Shop

Detectives are appealing for information following the report of a robbery at a shop on Rathfriland Street, Banbridge, on Saturday 29th January. It was reported that a man, armed with a knife, entered the shop shortly before 6:45pm on Saturday evening, and made his way behind the counter where he then opened the till and took […]

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Crime Election 2022 Upper Bann

Tennyson Says Urgent Action Needed to Tackle Rise of Sexual Assaults on Girls

Alliance Upper Bann representative, Eóin Tennyson, has called for urgent action to tackle the rise of sexual assaults on girls. The call for action follows figures released by the PSNI to media which revealed 791 incidents of sexual assault of girls over the age of 13 has been reported to the police in the past […]

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Armagh Banbridge Community Education Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

45 Funded Places on Offer at HGV Training and Employment Academy

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council announces the first Labour Market Partnership project with the launch of a brand new Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) HGV Training and Employment Academy, which will deliver fully-funded training for 45 applicants to qualify as HGV drivers and guarantee an interview with a local employer with HGV vacancies. […]

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Community Crime Lurgan Upper Bann

Kelly: Failure to Recruit Police Officers Will Hurt Communities!

SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly has said a failure to recruit enough new police officers will hurt local communities. She was speaking after the PSNI had to postpone recruiting 85 new officers due to financial pressures. Mrs Kelly said the New Decade, New Approach agreement (NDNA) pledge to increase the number of PSNI officers […]

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Crime Lurgan Upper Bann

Man Arrested in Lurgan Over Extradition Warrant

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Extradition and International Mutual Assistance Unit assisted by officers from Lurgan, arrested a 26 year old man in the Lurgan area today (Wednesday 26th January). Inspector Gareth Thompson said: “The man was identified as being the subject of an outstanding international extradition warrant in relation to motoring offences in […]

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Banbridge Crime Upper Bann

Police Seek Information on Banbridge Burglaries

Detectives are appealing for information following reports of burglaries which occurred in the Banbridge area this week. Detective Sergeant Wilson said: “Sometime between 11am and just before 7:20pm on Wednesday 19th January, it was reported that entry was gained to a house in the Beechlands area of Banbridge. The property was ransacked and it is believed […]

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Crime Portadown Upper Bann

Ulster Unionists Condemn Portadown Gun Attack

Ulster Unionist Leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, and Portadown Councillor Julie Flaherty, have condemned a shooting incident that occurred on Portadown’s Loughgall Road in the early hours of this morning (Friday 21st January). Doug Beattie said: “This was a totally reckless act that could have endangered the life of the lady that lives in the property, […]