Latest releases
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1,463 releases
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Five-week Universal Credit wait forcing some to turn to illegal money lenders, says Mulholland, as Alliance launch policy document
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland says the five‑week delay for a first Universal Credit payment is pushing claimants into illegal money lenders, hunger and mental distress, and unveils the ‘No More Time to Wait’ document proposing wider crisis grants, cheaper advance repayments, a two‑week child tax‑free
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Universal Credit five‑week first payment wait Original release: Five-week Universal Credit wait forcing some to turn to illegal money lenders, says Mulholland, as Alliance launch policy document (opens in a new tab)
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Racial Equality Indicators demonstrate urgent need for First Minister and deputy First Minister to speed up delivery, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA says the latest Racial Equality Indicators show rising racist incidents over the past decade and urges the Stormont First Minister and deputy First Minister to accelerate action on minority ethnic issues. She ties this to ending paramilitary control in communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racial Equality Indicators publication and Race Relations Panel testimony to Stormont committee Original release: Racial Equality Indicators demonstrate urgent need for First Minister and deputy First Minister to speed up delivery, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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United Against Racism Counter Demo
People Before Profit urges supporters to join a United Against Racism counter-demonstration on Thursday 19 September at 1.30pm, opposing a planned far-right march at the bottom of Grafton Street in Dublin. It says recent pushback against the far right in Belfast and Dundalk should be repeated in…
Disability and equality Issue: Planned far‑right march on Grafton Street, Dublin Original release: United Against Racism Counter Demo (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker urging the Minister to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy for eligible stroke survivors, highlighting current low access and the need for infrastructure, equipment and training.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition for 24/7 thrombectomy service Original release: Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy (opens in a new tab)
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Launch of strategy to tackle gender-based violence welcome, but it must be backed with action, says Egan.
Alliance MLA Connie Egan welcomes the introduction of the new Strategic Framework and Action Plan to end violence against women and girls, but says it must be matched with concrete action, commitment and funding.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Launch of Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategic Framework Original release: Launch of strategy to tackle gender-based violence welcome, but it must be backed with action, says Egan. (opens in a new tab)
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Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy must be properly funded, says McLaughlin
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Original release: Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy must be properly funded, says McLaughlin (opens in a new tab)
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Translink needs to stand its ground in face of Irish language bullies
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell says a protest at Belfast's Grand Central was another attempt by Irish language supporters to bully others, and calls on Translink to stand firm rather than accept Irish on buses and bins. He cites 2021 census figures showing 0.3% of people in Northern Ireland have…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Grand Central Belfast Irish language protest and Translink signage Original release: Translink needs to stand its ground in face of Irish language bullies (opens in a new tab)
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Deputy leader attends NIHRC annual report launch
Green Party Northern Ireland Deputy Leader Lesley Veronica says the party fully supports a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, calling it a missed Good Friday Agreement promise and a post‑Brexit necessity, and welcomes the NIHRC annual report and recent Windsor Framework court rulings while applaud
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: NIHRC annual report launch Original release: Deputy leader attends NIHRC annual report launch (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Reaffirms Support for WASPI Women at Parliamentary Event
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says she attended a Westminster event with WASPI campaigners and will keep pressing for fair, fast compensation for 1950s-born women affected by State Pension age changes, citing a March 2024 Parliamentary Ombudsman call for an apology and compensation.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: Lockhart Reaffirms Support for WASPI Women at Parliamentary Event (opens in a new tab)
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Labour’s Cuts to Winter Fuel Payments are Cruel and Unjust
DUP MP Carla Lockhart condemns the Labour Government’s move to reduce Winter Fuel Payments for about 200,000 Northern Ireland pensioners, calling it a cruel attack on the elderly and criticising the lengthy, complex Pension Credit application.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Allowance cut Commons vote Original release: Labour’s Cuts to Winter Fuel Payments are Cruel and Unjust (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – not in our name
The DUP's Gavin Robinson MP calls on the UK Government to reconsider removing the Winter Fuel Allowance from almost 200,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland, saying it would worsen fuel poverty and that the Executive cannot afford to fund a replacement system.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Allowance cut Commons vote Original release: Robinson – not in our name (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein MPs will assist Labour in removing winter fuel payments:…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says Sinn Fein's abstention from taking their Commons seats will effectively help the Labour Government pass its cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners. He used a point of order to confirm the party will not attend ahead of the key vote.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Allowance cut Commons vote Original release: Sinn Fein MPs will assist Labour in removing winter fuel payments:… (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister's statement on Labour Party's Winter Fuel…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons tells the Assembly he is totally opposed to the UK Government's restriction of Winter Fuel Payments, saying it was unexpected, was not in Labour's manifesto and was made without notice to his department. He estimates maintaining universal payments in Northern…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Allowance cut Commons vote Original release: Communities Minister's statement on Labour Party's Winter Fuel… (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson welcomes introduction of hate crime legislation by Justice Minister
Alliance Justice Spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the Justice Minister's plan to bring in hate crime legislation this mandate, citing recent racially motivated disorder and backing a statutory aggravation model in a forthcoming Sentencing Bill plus victim support in a Victims Bill.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Justice Minister's written statement on hate crime legislation Original release: Dickson welcomes introduction of hate crime legislation by Justice Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan criticises Executive attempt to dodge responsibility on winter fuel payments
SDLP Opposition MLA Mark H Durkan condemns the Executive's decision to limit winter fuel support for pensioner households, accusing Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of failing to offer an alternative and of avoiding responsibility by blaming Westminster.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Executive winter fuel payment limitation for pensioners Original release: Durkan criticises Executive attempt to dodge responsibility on winter fuel payments (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP MPs oppose cuts to Winter Fuel Payments
SDLP MPs have opposed the planned cut to Winter Fuel Payments at Westminster, warning it risks pushing pensioners into fuel poverty. Claire Hanna MP calls on the Communities Minister to reconsider and urges other Executive parties to state their position.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Allowance cut Commons vote Original release: SDLP MPs oppose cuts to Winter Fuel Payments (opens in a new tab)
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DUP will keep pressure on Labour over Winter Fuel cut
DUP MP Sammy Wilson says his party will keep pressing the UK Government to reverse the Winter Fuel Allowance cut ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday. He accuses Labour of imposing the cut on pensioners without consulting the devolved regions, and says DUP peers will seek to block it in the Lords.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Allowance cut Commons vote Original release: DUP will keep pressure on Labour over Winter Fuel cut (opens in a new tab)
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Long outlines proposed hate crime legislative provisions
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long sets out hate crime measures she plans to introduce before the mandate ends, including a statutory aggravation model in a Sentencing Bill and enhanced victim protections in a Victims Bill. She says a standalone Hate Crime Bill is not feasible given the reduced…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Justice Minister's written statement on hate crime legislation Original release: Long outlines proposed hate crime legislative provisions (opens in a new tab)
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United Against Racism Holds Successful Public Forum
People Before Profit says a Dublin forum of United Against Racism, attended by around 150 people, heard speakers on far-right attacks on people of colour, deprivation on Dublin's Northside, and anti-Islamophobia campaigning. Workshops covered unions, countering the far right and social media.
Disability and equality Immigration Original release: United Against Racism Holds Successful Public Forum (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan urges Executive to prioritise poverty
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Executive to prioritise support for people in poverty after a Trussell Trust survey found almost four in ten Universal Credit recipients in the North ran out of food. He criticises the absence of poverty from the Programme for…
Social security and welfare Original release: McCrossan urges Executive to prioritise poverty (opens in a new tab)