CLANRYE NEWS 
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has reiterated calls on the British government to scrap VAT on energy bills to help families tackle the cost-of-living crisis. The Upper Bann MLA said: “Rising living costs and out of control energy prices are placing a huge burden on already struggling workers and families. “The British government should scrap […]
East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party MLA and Communities spokesperson, Andy Allen MBE, has called on the Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey MLA, to expedite the energy payment support scheme payment. Mr Allen said: “Yesterday (Thursday) the Department for Communities committee approved the statutory rule for the energy payment support scheme payment. “The statutory rule overview […]
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’ […]
Local Member of Parliament Carla Lockhart has said the creation of a new £55m energy scheme by the Northern Ireland Executive is a welcome step to support those in fuel poverty but has called on the Communities Minister Deidre Hargey MLA to step up with support for working families who are struggling with the heating […]
Emergency fuel payments can help local households in need – Lockhart DUP MP Carla Lockhart has urged those across Upper Bann who are in emergency fuel need to apply for the £100 payment made available by the Department for Communities, administered by the Bryson Charitable Group. Carla Lockhart said: “A number of months ago I […]
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced the appointment of an Independent Advisory Panel to review welfare mitigation measures in the north. The Independent Advisory Panel will be chaired by Les Allamby, former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Mr Allamby will be joined by independent panel members and departmental officials with expertise […]
Sinn Féin ABC councillor Liam Mackle has welcomed confirmation that legislation to protect people from the Bedroom Tax and Tory welfare cuts will be extended. Cllr Mackle said: “I welcome the extension of legislation which protects ordinary people from the Bedroom Tax and cruel Tory welfare cuts. “It will also close loopholes which ensure that […]
Following the announcement that the Executive is to extend welfare mitigations, Ulster Unionist Party Communities spokesperson, Andy Allen MLA said: “I welcome the fact that the Executive has finally agreed the introduction of welfare mitigation legislation. “Disappointingly it took far too long to achieve agreement, which resulted in £2M that could have supported many individuals […]
East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA, Andy Allen MBE, has called on the Communities Minister to present plans in days, not weeks, to help those devastated by the increased cost of living following further announcements of Gas price hikes. Speaking as Firmus Energy announced a 38% price rise – the third increase this year – Andy […]
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has confirmed that payments to protect people from the ‘bedroom tax’ and Tory government welfare cuts will be extended for a further three years. The extension closes existing loopholes on the ‘bedroom tax’ and benefit cap and provides financial support to low-paid workers, families and vulnerable people. Minister Hargey said: “This […]
Around 24,000 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) customers with a Post Office card account have just three weeks left to update the department with new payment details before the 30 November deadline, or risk having payments paused. From 1 December 2021, HMRC will stop making tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance payments to Post […]
CLANRYE NEWS