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3,438 releases
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Comprehensive Spending Review sees increased funds for NI but significant pressures remain - Aiken
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken says the Comprehensive Spending Review appears to recognise Northern Ireland's underfunding, with DEL rising by about £1.5bn, but warns of pressures including a £600M health shortfall and £250M for policing. He calls on the Executive to prioritise and asks…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: UK Government first Spending Review 2025 Original release: Comprehensive Spending Review sees increased funds for NI but significant pressures remain - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Alliance motion calling for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Alliance says Newry, Mourne and Down Council has backed its motion calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, making it the first Northern Ireland local authority to do so. Cllr Jill Truesdale and Cllr Cadogan Enright also criticise public subsidies for gas and call for grid investment in…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty motion Original release: Newry, Mourne and Down Council backs Alliance motion calling for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says the UK Labour Government's first Spending Review confirms a failed austerity model, criticising cuts to disability support, the retention of the two child limit and the refusal to introduce a wealth tax, while welcoming NHS and Casement Park funding.
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: UK Government first Spending Review 2025 Original release: UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls on Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to heed widespread concerns about the department’s Nutrient Action Programme after the Assembly voted to reject the proposals, urging proper farmer engagement, impact assessments and support for a just transition.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote rejecting NAP proposals Original release: ‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan says a new Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding shows the impact of British government austerity, and backs Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's plan to seek Executive funding, consult on developer contributions and legislate for sustainable drainage. He opposes…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding model Original release: Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes news pensioners in north will receive Winter Fuel Payment
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the decision that winter fuel payments will be made to pensioners across the north, calling the previous UK cut unfair and urging the communities minister to promptly publish anti‑poverty and fuel‑poverty strategies.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: UK government Winter Fuel Payment U-turn for pensioners with incomes under £35,000 Original release: Gildernew welcomes news pensioners in north will receive Winter Fuel Payment (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister Lyons confirms Winter Fuel Payment for Northern…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirms that all Northern Ireland pensioners will receive the Winter Fuel Payment after the UK government reversed eligibility restrictions, with legislation expected by end‑ July and warnings about scams.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Communities Minister Lyons confirms Winter Fuel Payment for Northern… (opens in a new tab)
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Buchanan urges groups to apply for Ulster-Scots Music & Dance funding
Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan welcomes the Ulster-Scots Agency's new music and dance tuition funding scheme and urges eligible groups to apply, saying it will help pass these traditions on to younger generations.
Disability and equality Issue: Ulster-Scots Agency music and dance tuition funding programme launch Original release: Buchanan urges groups to apply for Ulster-Scots Music & Dance funding (opens in a new tab)
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DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation
Deputy Leader and DUP Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen led an Assembly debate urging the DAERA Minister to pull back the consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan welcomes confirmation of winter fuel payments
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan welcomes the Communities Minister's confirmation that older people in the North will get winter fuel payments after a UK Government U-turn. He urges clear rollout communication, warns of scams and calls for a stronger anti-poverty strategy.
Social security and welfare Issue: UK government Winter Fuel Payment U-turn for pensioners with incomes under £35,000 Original release: McCrossan welcomes confirmation of winter fuel payments (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP of dropping their pledges to protect Lough Neagh after backing a motion to halt consultation on the AERA Minister's Nutrients Action Programme. He calls their earlier promises empty rhetoric and urges the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly motion to halt consultation on Nutrients Action Programme Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson welcomes winter fuel u-turn
DUP MP Sammy Wilson welcomes the Government's reversal on winter fuel payments and says it will relieve poorer pensioners, but questions why the original decision was taken. He says the reversal's stated economic justification does not hold up.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: UK government Winter Fuel Payment U-turn for pensioners with incomes under £35,000 Original release: Wilson welcomes winter fuel u-turn (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister welcomes government u-turn on winter fuel…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomes the UK government's U-turn restoring Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 and says he will press Executive colleagues to match the support in Northern Ireland. He says officials are working with the Department for Work and…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: UK government Winter Fuel Payment U-turn for pensioners with incomes under £35,000 Original release: Communities Minister welcomes government u-turn on winter fuel… (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll welcomes the launch of the public consultation on remediating the Mobuoy dump and calls for a public inquiry and an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Councillor Shaun Harkin says illegal dumping and pollution are going unchecked across the North.
Environment and climate Issue: Mobuoy dump remediation public consultation launch Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Government must act now to better protect women and girls - Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew calls on the Government to act urgently to protect women and girls, citing two recent serious sexual assaults on teenage girls in Ballymena. He urges the PSNI and statutory agencies to address challenges in Houses of Multiple Occupation and illegal immigration.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena sexual assaults on teenage girls Original release: Government must act now to better protect women and girls - Frew (opens in a new tab)
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NI pensioners mustn’t be left behind, says Mulholland, following UK Govt winter fuel payment U-turn
Alliance Communities spokesperson and North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes the UK Government's winter fuel payment U-turn and calls on the Communities Minister to explore a comparable uplift for Northern Ireland pensioners, having submitted a written question on his plans.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: UK government Winter Fuel Payment U-turn for pensioners with incomes under £35,000 Original release: NI pensioners mustn’t be left behind, says Mulholland, following UK Govt winter fuel payment U-turn (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the sentences for two men convicted of illegal dumping at Mobuoy dump near Derry are too lenient, given the £40 m profit, water‑supply risk, A6 delay and up to £700 m cleanup cost, and calls for a full public inquiry and investment to make the site safe.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Sentencing of two men for Mobuoy dump illegal dumping Original release: Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump (opens in a new tab)
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UK Gov must reverse damaging welfare cuts and deliver fairer funding for public services, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA calls on the UK Government to reverse welfare cuts ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Spending Review, citing winter fuel payment restrictions and the two-child benefit cap. He also calls for guaranteed fair funding for Northern Ireland's public…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: UK Spending Review announcement on welfare and public service funding Original release: UK Gov must reverse damaging welfare cuts and deliver fairer funding for public services, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland
Sinn Féin held a conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland, where speakers highlighted gaps in mental health, disability and elderly services, long diagnostic waits and underfunded counselling. Delegates voted to support a Citizens Assembly on Health and called for all‑island, free‑at‑point‑of‑
Health Issue: Health and Care in a New Ireland conference Original release: Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure questions whether fear of falling in Stonewall's equality index influenced the Northern Ireland Civil Service's participation in Belfast Pride, and says TUV will table an Assembly question and submit a Freedom of Information request on the decision.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)