Latest releases
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1,974 releases
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Eastwood: Double digit inflation leaving families destitute
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP warns that inflation reaching 10.1% is leaving families destitute without an Executive or Westminster intervention. He calls for an emergency taskforce and at-risk allocations to get urgent funding to households on the brink.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: ONS inflation rise to 10.1% in August 2022 Original release: Eastwood: Double digit inflation leaving families destitute (opens in a new tab)
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Unfair child benefit tax trap must be removed – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges the UK Government to review the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge, arguing that a household with one income above £50,000 is penalised while a couple with two lower incomes totalling close to £100,000 pays no tax on child benefit.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Original release: Unfair child benefit tax trap must be removed – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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DUP Executive boycott during cost of living emergency a ‘dereliction of duty’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey accuses the DUP of acting irresponsibly by boycotting the Executive during the cost of living crisis, calling its conduct indefensible. She says Ministers met to find ways around the boycott and urges Jeffrey Donaldson to end it so the £400 energy payment can reach…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: DUP boycott of Executive over cost of living support Original release: DUP Executive boycott during cost of living emergency a ‘dereliction of duty’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter calls for progress on single-use plastics ban
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter urges action on banning single-use plastics in the North, noting Scotland introduced such a ban last week. She says the New Decade, New Approach pledge to end plastic pollution has seen little progress and blames the lack of a functioning Stormont.
Environment and climate Issue: Scotland single-use plastics ban introduction Original release: Hunter calls for progress on single-use plastics ban (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Pensioners need urgent help ahead of winter
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan urges the Communities Minister to create an emergency financial package for pensioners facing soaring energy bills, and to review the unchanged Winter Fuel Payment rate, which he says has stood since 2010/11.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Pensioner emergency support package and Winter Fuel Payment review call Original release: Durkan: Pensioners need urgent help ahead of winter (opens in a new tab)
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Opposition MLAs continue cost of living outreach
SDLP MLAs will meet National Energy Action, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Equality Commission and the General Medical Council to hear about the cost of living crisis, and Matthew O’Toole MLA says the UK and NI governments must use their powers to ease energy, food and fuel bills rather sp
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss visit Northern Ireland Original release: Opposition MLAs continue cost of living outreach (opens in a new tab)
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Energy payment needs to be done as a matter of urgency – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey, the communities minister, says she is concerned no workable solution has yet been agreed to deliver the £400 energy payment to households, and calls for urgent action ahead of autumn and winter. She also urges the DUP to end its Executive boycott.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: £400 energy payment delay after meeting with British Chancellor Original release: Energy payment needs to be done as a matter of urgency – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Election of new leader Councillor Mal O'Hara
The Green Party NI announces that Cllr Mal O'Hara has been selected as its new leader, unopposed, after Clare Bailey chose not to stand following the Assembly election. O'Hara says he will offer green solutions to cost of living, housing and climate challenges.
Other Environment and climate Issue: Green Party NI election of new leader Mal O'Hara Original release: Election of new leader Councillor Mal O'Hara (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan seeks fairer policy on Maternity Allowance for Universal Credit claimants
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan calls for a review of how Maternity Allowance is treated under Universal Credit, where it is deducted from awards unlike Statutory Maternity Pay, and urges the Communities Minister to press Westminster on the policy.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: Durkan seeks fairer policy on Maternity Allowance for Universal Credit claimants (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes Chancellor's commitment to delivering an equivalent energy bill support scheme to Northern Ireland households
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes the Chancellor's renewed commitment to deliver equivalent energy bills support to Northern Ireland households, but says the delivery mechanism should already be in place. He also calls on energy providers to help through charitable donations or efficiency measures.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Chancellor confirms energy cost payment does not require Stormont executive Original release: Allen welcomes Chancellor's commitment to delivering an equivalent energy bill support scheme to Northern Ireland households (opens in a new tab)
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Ministers must start to take cost of living crisis seriously
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Stormont and Whitehall Ministers must take the cost of living crisis seriously after SDLP MLAs met organisations on energy, food and fuel costs. He calls for urgent direct support to reach people most in need and urges the DUP to get back to…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: SDLP Stormont meetings on energy, food and fuel costs crisis Original release: Ministers must start to take cost of living crisis seriously (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell urges Iceland to extend £30 voucher scheme to NI
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell writes to Iceland urging the company to extend its Summer Cheer Scheme £30 shopping voucher for pensioners to Northern Ireland, saying the current exclusion overlooks areas of deep deprivation.
Social security and welfare Issue: Iceland Summer Cheer Scheme voucher extension request Original release: Campbell urges Iceland to extend £30 voucher scheme to NI (opens in a new tab)
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Macartney calls on council to act as Newtownards Foodbank Use Soars by 47%
Green Party councillor Maurice calls on Ards and North Down Borough Council to draw up an emergency action plan for vulnerable residents, citing a 47% rise in demand at a Newtownards foodbank and warning of rising living costs while Stormont is not sitting. He also urges the DUP to end its boycott…
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: Newtownards foodbank demand rise of 47% in first half of 2022 Original release: Macartney calls on council to act as Newtownards Foodbank Use Soars by 47% (opens in a new tab)
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Recall parliament to deal with cost of living crisis urges SDLP Leader
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP backs a recall of parliament over the cost of living crisis, calling for an emergency budget with new support schemes and higher taxes on multinationals, and for direct intervention from London for Northern Ireland.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: Recall parliament to deal with cost of living crisis urges SDLP Leader (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Targeted intervention needed to help families deal with back to school costs
SDLP West Belfast representative Paul Doherty calls for a targeted intervention before September to help families with back to school costs, saying demand for uniforms at his Foodstock preloved uniform scheme has grown sharply. He urges Education Minister McIlveen to act on interim measures.
Education Social security and welfare Original release: Doherty: Targeted intervention needed to help families deal with back to school costs (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton encourages applications to Victims Pension Scheme
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton urges eligible victims to apply to the Victims Pension Scheme, noting only 10% of eligible applicants have applied. He calls on the Department of Justice to analyse why take-up is low ahead of the scheme's first anniversary.
Community relations and legacy Social security and welfare Issue: Low uptake of Victims Pension Scheme applications, August 2022 Original release: Middleton encourages applications to Victims Pension Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent intervention needed for adult ADHD provision – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on Health Minister Robin Swann to intervene urgently for adult ADHD services after a constituent was refused NHS medication following a private diagnosis and the Northern Trust reportedly refuses adult referrals.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Urgent intervention needed for adult ADHD provision – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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McKee calls for plan to finally end plastic pollution this Marine Week
Green Party councillor Barry McKee calls on DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to produce a plan to end plastic pollution during Marine Week, noting no plan has followed a 2021 call for evidence. He also points to Ards and North Down council's single-use plastic ban and refill scheme and urges a shift to…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McKee calls for plan to finally end plastic pollution this Marine Week (opens in a new tab)
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Woodland restoration vital if Northern Ireland serious about a green recovery, says Burbank
Alliance Councillor Jay Burbank says investment in woodland restoration is essential for a credible green recovery. He welcomes Antrim & Newtownabbey council's talks with Forest Service NI on improving public access to three local forests, and calls for large-scale protection, restoration and…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Woodland restoration vital if Northern Ireland serious about a green recovery, says Burbank (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges clarity around £400 energy bills discount
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges the British government to clarify how the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme discount will reach households in the North while Stormont is not functioning. He says he has written to the Department for Energy seeking an immediate answer on payment method and timing.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: £400 GB energy support scheme details and Northern Ireland uncertainty Original release: Eastwood urges clarity around £400 energy bills discount (opens in a new tab)