Latest releases
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1,457 releases
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PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray
Alliance Belfast councillor Micky Murray says he will meet the Assistant Chief Constable on 2 August to press the PSNI over a street preacher's derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during Belfast Pride, seeking assurances that homophobic hate crimes are treated seriously.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Street preacher's anti-LGBTQ+ remarks at Belfast Pride 2023 Original release: PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)
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We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride
Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.
Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Starmer Backsliding On Two-Child Policy Disproportionately Impacts Derry
PBP Cllr Shaun Harkin criticises Keir Starmer for refusing to commit to scrapping the two-child benefit policy, saying the stance disproportionately hits Derry and the North due to more households with children. He cites a CPAG report on the policy's effects.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Starmer refusal to commit to scrapping the two-child benefit policy Original release: Harkin: Starmer Backsliding On Two-Child Policy Disproportionately Impacts Derry (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart welcomes PM support for childhood cancer campaign
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to work on improving benefit support for families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. She urges the Government to change DLA rules so support starts at diagnosis, not after the three-month claim delay.
Social security and welfare Health Issue: Prime Minister's PMQs response on childhood cancer benefit support Original release: Lockhart welcomes PM support for childhood cancer campaign (opens in a new tab)
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Inhumane Tory ‘Migration’ Bill latest in a string of anti-rights legislation – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says the UK government's Illegal Migration Bill, passed on the day of her statement, is cruel and inhumane and breaches protections for vulnerable asylum seekers and trafficking victims. She claims it will increase trafficking and encroaches on devolved areas.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: UK Tory 'Migration' Bill passage through Parliament Original release: Inhumane Tory ‘Migration’ Bill latest in a string of anti-rights legislation – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Call for change to Child Benefit thresholds
DUP MP Jim Shannon has introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill in Westminster urging a review of Child Benefit thresholds, with eligibility based on household rather than individual income. He argues the high income child benefit charge threshold has been frozen for a decade while inflation has eroded…
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: Ten Minute Rule Bill on Child Benefit thresholds Original release: Call for change to Child Benefit thresholds (opens in a new tab)
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Brown welcomes poll showing majority support Universal Basic Income in Northern Ireland
Alliance South Down MLA Patrick Brown welcomes a poll showing 62% of respondents support a Universal Basic Income in Northern Ireland, saying the result underlines the need for a UBI trial to address welfare failures and post‑Brexit economic challenges.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Poll showing majority support for Universal Basic Income in Northern Ireland Original release: Brown welcomes poll showing majority support Universal Basic Income in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Government must act to end unfair block on northern athletes representing Ireland – Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD
Sinn Féin's Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD urge the Irish government to push for an island-wide derogation from World Athletics' 1934 Political Boundary Rule, which bars Northern athletes from representing Ireland at European and World championships. Andrews calls on Sport Minister Thomas…
Disability and equality Issue: World Athletics 1934 Political Boundary Rule derogation for Ireland Original release: Government must act to end unfair block on northern athletes representing Ireland – Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI must not participate in political activity whilst in uniform
DUP Policing Board representative and South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke welcomes the PSNI decision to bar uniformed officers from Belfast Pride, saying political events risk damaging public confidence. He calls for equal treatment of officers from unionist backgrounds regarding Loyal Order membership.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: PSNI must not participate in political activity whilst in uniform (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn reacts to PSNI decision to pull out of Belfast Pride
Green Party councillor Flynn says the PSNI should not have taken part in Belfast Pride at all, arguing the event is a political protest and that police pulling support over the "Stand by your Trans" campaign shows their involvement was superficial.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: Cllr Flynn reacts to PSNI decision to pull out of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI decision over Belfast Pride has set clock back on relations with LGBTQ+ community, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister criticises the PSNI decision to bar officers from wearing uniform at the Belfast Pride parade, saying it sets back years of work on relations with the LGBTQ+ community. She urges police to reverse the decision before the parade.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: PSNI decision over Belfast Pride has set clock back on relations with LGBTQ+ community, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan requests urgent meeting with EA on school places
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says he has sought an urgent meeting with the Education Authority over continuing uncertainty about school placements for children with special educational needs. He argues the EA must give parents clarity quickly on next steps before pupils return in September.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan requests urgent meeting with EA on school places (opens in a new tab)
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‘Families need urgent certainty over school places’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls on the Education Authority to give families urgent certainty over preparations for school places in September for children with special educational needs, citing reports that almost 400 remain without a placement. He also calls for the Executive to be formed now.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Almost 400 SEN children without September school places reports Original release: ‘Families need urgent certainty over school places’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Assembly needed now to tackle holiday hunger’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges an immediate restoration of the Assembly and Executive to pass legislation on holiday hunger, after meeting Children in NI and warning that families face summer without holiday hunger payments. He blames the DUP's blockade of the Executive.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Original release: ‘Assembly needed now to tackle holiday hunger’ – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Executive required to support families and begin to deal with soaring back-to-school costs – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls for an Executive to be formed now to help families with back-to-school costs, citing an Irish League of Credit Unions survey showing £837 per primary and £989 per secondary child. She urges the DUP to end its blockade.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Irish League of Credit Unions Annual School Costs Survey 2023 Original release: Executive required to support families and begin to deal with soaring back-to-school costs – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Action to end violence against women and girls must be a priority for all — Michelle O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, welcomes the release of a draft strategy and action plan on tackling violence against women and girls and urges the public to respond to the consultation.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Draft ending violence against women and girls strategy published for consultation Original release: Action to end violence against women and girls must be a priority for all — Michelle O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly must be restored to help cut school costs for families – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls for the Assembly and Executive to be restored now so legislation can be progressed to make school uniforms more affordable and cut school costs for families. She urges the DUP to end its blockade of the Executive.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Assembly must be restored to help cut school costs for families – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe – Time for Treasury action on childcare
DUP Childcare spokesperson and South Down MLA Diane Forsythe writes to the Chancellor urging an urgent increase to the Tax Free Childcare allowance, saying working families are struggling and immediate support is needed after the recent budget omitted the measure.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: 2023 UK budget statement Original release: Forsythe – Time for Treasury action on childcare (opens in a new tab)