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Local Alliance councillor, Patrick Brown, successfully introduced a motion at Wednesday’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council that seeks to address the issue of ‘conversion therapy’ and offer increased support for the LGBTQ+ community across the district and beyond. The motion reads as follows: “’This Council opposes the harm caused to our LGBTQ+ […]

In response to the decision by Newry 2020 to host a large public meeting on Wednesday 14th April to discuss the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme, local Alliance Councillor, Patrick Brown, is urging the public (from the Newry community and beyond) to join and contribute to the discussion. Cllr Brown said: “There will be an […]

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin has opened an online Book of Condolence following the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Book of Condolence will allow residents of the district to extend their sympathies in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions. Cllr Devlin said, “I would like to express my […]

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council will provide free sanitary products in leisure centres across the borough in a bid to end period poverty. The aim of the scheme is to support women and girls who may not be able to afford products such as sanitary towels and tampons by making these products free […]

A roll-out of universal basic income (UBI) could get people back on their feet financially in the recovery from the COVID pandemic, Alliance South Down representative Patrick Brown has said. Councillor Brown, recently selected as Alliance’s representative for the constituency, said a new group established to explore the feasibility of UBI trials in Northern Ireland […]

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed the commitment from the Executive to provide £286.8million in additional funding to deliver her Economic Recovery Action Plan. The money will be used to implement Minister Dodds’ ambitious plan to rebuild the Northern Ireland economy after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The plan has already received strong support […]

Commenting on the recent budget announcement, Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the £52 million for Agenda for Change pay. He said: “This will enable pay parity with England to continue in 2021/22 and honours the previous commitment made by the Executive in January 2020. Likewise the announcement that £20 million for Safe Staffing will now be funded […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the funding allocation for JobStart, and reiterated her commitment to boosting economic opportunities for young people and those seeking to re-enter the labour market. Minister Hargey was speaking after the Executive agreed to fund the employment scheme for 16-24 year olds. The scheme is designed to support young people […]

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has set out the Executive’s 2021/22 Budget. Over half a billion of Covid funding will support economic recovery. Support for children and young people is also a focus of the budget. Commenting on the 2021-2022 Budget which includes £13 billion of Resource funding and £1.78 billion of Capital funding, Conor Murphy said: “Covid has […]

Newry 2020 have announced that they will be hosting a major public meeting on Wednesday 14th April to discuss the council’s proposed Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme, which is currently out for public consultation. The group, which was formed over seven years ago to promote urban regeneration, stated “This consultation on the future of our […]

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Murphy has appealed for calm after a Sign encouraging support for a United Ireland was vandalised in what many locals viewed as a sinister action. The Councillor said, “A sign situated at Highstreet corner on the Camlough Road  has been vandalised in what many see as a sinister sectarian attack.  Sinn […]

Thousands more employees and employers across Northern Ireland will be able to benefit from regular workforce testing for Covid-19. Health Minister Robin Swann has today announced important plans to expand the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces. At present, the programme is available to employers in designated sectors with more than 50 employees who cannot […]