Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Disability and equality: remove filter
- Housing: remove filter
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
2,358 releases
-
DUP MPs press MOD for recognition of pre-2015 War Widows
DUP Defence Spokesman Gavin Robinson and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart say they met Defence Minister Andrew Murrison to press for recognition of around 300 War Widows who remarried before 2015 and lost their pension entitlement. They say a solution now rests with the Treasury.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: DUP MPs press MOD for recognition of pre-2015 War Widows (opens in a new tab)
-
Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA warns that the loss of European Social Fund money, combined with the lack of a functioning Executive, could put lives at risk. He calls on the Secretary of State to step in immediately and urges the DUP to return to Stormont and form an Executive.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Loss of European Social Fund funding for community and voluntary services Original release: Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler (opens in a new tab)
-
Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP
Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery says a party motion to have Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council join other employers in Belfast Pride and explore a local Pride event was voted down by the DUP and UUP. He accuses the UUP of blocking it and pledges to keep pushing for inclusive council events.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Armagh Banbridge Craigavon council Pride motion defeated by DUP and UUP Original release: Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women
SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden says more must be done to combat violence against women as he prepares to table a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council calling for better victim services, awareness campaigns, a modern anti‑harassment policy and training for councillors and
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council motion on violence against women Original release: SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says community transport services, including dial-a-lift, are left in limbo over funding and calls on the Department for Infrastructure to give a clear update and carry out an equality impact assessment before deciding their future.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport (opens in a new tab)
-
TUV announce two Lisburn candidates
TUV announces Stewart McEvoy as its candidate for Lisburn South and Stewart Ferris for Downshire East in the upcoming local government election. McEvoy cites dog fouling, litter, school and health pressures, and bus services in Ballymacash, while leader Jim Allister urges voters to back TUV.
Local government Constitutional affairs Issue: TUV Lisburn South and Downshire East council candidates announced Original release: TUV announce two Lisburn candidates (opens in a new tab)
-
Irish language signage not wanted
TUV council candidate Glenn Moore says new Irish language signs in Mill Park, Tobermore, are unwanted and will harm community relations. He accuses Mid Ulster Council of provoking unionists and wasting ratepayers' money.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Irish language signage erected at Mill Park, Tobermore Original release: Irish language signage not wanted (opens in a new tab)
-
Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods
Green Party NI Cllr Rachel Woods expresses sadness at the murder of Alesia Nazarova, noting she is thought to be the 17th woman killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. She calls for a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, blaming the DUP's Assembly boycott for delay.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Alesia Nazarova in Northern Ireland Original release: Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods (opens in a new tab)
-
Lack of engagement from DfI on missed bin collections incredibly disappointing, says Cllr Murray
Alliance councillor Micky Murray says it is disappointing that the Department for Infrastructure declined to attend a special People and Communities Committee meeting on missed bin collections, which he links to badly parked cars and roadworks. He calls for DfI to engage and backs pilot…
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI declines special meeting on missed bin collections in Belfast Original release: Lack of engagement from DfI on missed bin collections incredibly disappointing, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)
-
North South Interconnector Faces Years of Opposition if its Not Undergrounded. - Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín calls on the government to underground the North South Interconnector, saying Aontú supports the link only if it is buried, after a latest report on the project. He claims the report cannot be independent and that 97% of landowners oppose the 409 pylons…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: North South Interconnector latest report and undergrounding call Original release: North South Interconnector Faces Years of Opposition if its Not Undergrounded. - Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
-
McGuigan welcomes Wrightbus new order to deliver 18 zero emission buses
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes Wrightbus securing a fresh contract to supply 18 zero-emission vehicles to First Bus in Leicester. He says it follows a recent £25.3 million deal for 117 battery-electric models and will bring investment and jobs to the local area.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Wrightbus new zero-emission bus order for First Bus Leicester Original release: McGuigan welcomes Wrightbus new order to deliver 18 zero emission buses (opens in a new tab)
-
New EasyJet routes boost for local economy – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy welcomes EasyJet's expansion at Belfast City Airport, with new flights to Luton and Manchester starting in June, and says it could create jobs and boost the local economy and tourism.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: EasyJet new Belfast City Airport routes to Luton and Manchester Original release: New EasyJet routes boost for local economy – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
-
Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, Chair of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, calls on the UK and Irish governments to fund a £40million rescue package to replace expiring European Social Fund money. She says it would keep 1700 community sector jobs and support 17000 people with disabilities…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: End of European Social Fund money affecting community sector jobs Original release: Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector (opens in a new tab)
-
McCrossan: New research confirms academic selection not delivering for all young people
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says new Stranmillis College research shows academic selection is not working for young people, arguing that scrapping the transfer test alone would not fix problems and calling for a wider cultural change and investment in education reform.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Stranmillis College research on transfer test cancellation and grammar school intake Original release: McCrossan: New research confirms academic selection not delivering for all young people (opens in a new tab)
-
Dodds stresses need for proper Education funding
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Independent Review of Education panel was told Education budgets are underfunded, citing real-terms cuts of around £150 million and calling for Education to be treated as 'mission critical'. She also highlights rising Special Educational Needs…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Independent Review of Education panel meeting on school funding Original release: Dodds stresses need for proper Education funding (opens in a new tab)
-
Butler warns cuts to key transport service will disproportionately impact people with disabilities
UUP MLA Robbie Butler warns that budget uncertainty at Stormont risks ending the Department for Infrastructure's Disability Action Transport Scheme and Shopmobility, which have no funding guarantee beyond next month. He blames the lack of an Executive and multi-year budgets.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Department for Infrastructure disability transport schemes funding at risk Original release: Butler warns cuts to key transport service will disproportionately impact people with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
-
Extension of Veterans Mobility Fund welcome - Allen
East Belfast UUP MLA Andy Allen MBE welcomes the Government's decision to extend the Veterans Mobility Fund, crediting Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer MP after repeated representations. He also welcomes a £20 million Veterans Capital Housing Fund and says he has sought a meeting on support…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Veterans Mobility Fund extension announcement Original release: Extension of Veterans Mobility Fund welcome - Allen (opens in a new tab)
-
We must invest in housing strategy to build enough social housing, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA calls for investment in the housing strategy to deliver enough social homes, and for a strategy to maintain existing stock and meet climate targets. She also warns that rent rises of up to 50 per cent in Belfast push renters out and urges a new Communities Minister…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Private Tenancies Act rent cap omission and Belfast rent rises Original release: We must invest in housing strategy to build enough social housing, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
-
McCrossan welcomes date for A5 public inquiry
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan welcomes the scheduling of the next phase of the A5 Western Transport Corridor public hearings, due to resume on 15 May, and urges those opposing the road to weigh its safety and economic impact. He cites 48 deaths on the A5 since 2008.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 Western Transport Corridor public inquiry resumption date set Original release: McCrossan welcomes date for A5 public inquiry (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says vital autism legislation and the Autism Strategy may be delayed without an agreed budget, citing Health Permanent Secretary Peter May's warning about financial uncertainty and the unfilled Independent Autism Reviewer post. He calls for the strategy to proceed without…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Permanent Secretary warning on Autism Strategy delivery without budget Original release: Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy (opens in a new tab)