Latest from SDLP
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478 releases
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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says Executive inaction on a budget is leaving patients exposed as emergency department waiting times worsen, citing September figures and Ulster Hospital performance. He calls for funding to plan winter pressures, staffing and services, including fuller use of…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health emergency department waiting times statistics September Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging the UK Government to intervene over proposed BBC Northern Ireland cuts to Irish-language services, including a reported halving of its Irish-language unit staffing.
Disability and equality Issue: BBC NI Irish-language services proposed cuts announcement Original release: Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood backs home carers ahead of a Unison-organised public meeting in Derry, calling on Stormont to deliver the promised real living wage and help carers with rising fuel costs.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone seeks an urgent meeting with BBC Northern Ireland leadership over reported job losses and restructuring, wanting clarity on effects for staff, local output and Irish language services. He also plans talks with Foras na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans Original release: McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority "wear more clothes" energy cost advice to schools Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath accuses the Executive of drawing health workers into a dispute with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant over pay, after the BMA confirmed further doctors' strike action in November. He says the Executive should stop trading blame and act for patients and staff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA resident, consultant and SAS doctors strike action announcement November 2026 Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation
SDLP Opposition challenges the Executive over delayed racial equality legislation after record race hate incidents and crimes in 2025/26, and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain the delay. Its Black History Month Opposition Day motion also recognised black communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Executive delay to racial equality legislation following record race hate figures Original release: SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty presents a petition of over 6,500 signatures to the Assembly calling for CAR-T cancer treatment to be available in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Executive to commission a local service and work with the Irish Government on all-island access in the…
Health Issue: CAR-T cancer treatment petition presented to Northern Ireland Assembly Original release: McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter Condemns Minister's Cynical Attempt to Evade Departmental Scrutiny
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA accuses the Education Minister of avoiding accountability by pulling Department officials from Education Committee scrutiny. She calls on the Committee to hear from academics, experts and civil society instead.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Hunter Condemns Minister's Cynical Attempt to Evade Departmental Scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid says personal abuse aimed at female public representatives, both online and in person, has to end. She says challenging misogyny must apply even to politicians whose views one opposes, and that such abuse deters people from entering public life.
Disability and equality Original release: McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Givan must reverse decision to restrict Education Committee scrutiny
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on Education Minister Paul Givan to reverse his decision withdrawing departmental officials from the Education Committee, arguing it is a disproportionate overreach that hampers scrutiny of curriculum and education reform.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Hunter: Givan must reverse decision to restrict Education Committee scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Belfast Met cuts expose cost of Executive Budget failure
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says cuts of over 2,500 places at Belfast Met reflect the impact of the Executive's failure to agree a Budget, noting the college is on a contingency allocation with a shortfall of about £6.8m. He calls on the four Executive parties to resolve the Budget impasse.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast Met student places cuts linked to Executive Budget Original release: O'Toole: Belfast Met cuts expose cost of Executive Budget failure (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Givan’s school trousers U-turn should have come months ago
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA welcomes the Education Minister’s move to permit girls to wear trousers in school uniform, calling the U‑turn overdue, demanding an explanation for the delay and urging consistent rollout across all schools.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister Givan's school trousers guidance for girls Original release: Hunter: Givan’s school trousers U-turn should have come months ago (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA calls for an urgent Health Minister response to a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report showing rising infant mortality in the region. He says he will write to the minister seeking a funded plan for the College's recommendations…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics State of Child Health 2026 report on infant mortality Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Robbie Butler to act on his pledges for rural services and avoid centralisation in hospital reform, citing Daisy Hill, Downe, SWAH and Causeway as cases where communities must be protected first.
Health Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Rebalancing student numbers will stop North West being ‘left out’
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood calls for the Executive to force universities to rebalance student numbers from Belfast to Derry, citing Belfast's near 60,000 students against Derry's 6,500, and urges delivery of the Magee expansion promised to the city.
Education Issue: Secretary of State Chris Bryant's Derry visit on North West university provision Original release: Eastwood: Rebalancing student numbers will stop North West being ‘left out’ (opens in a new tab)
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O'Hanlon pays tribute to Eithne Vallely
SDLP Armagh Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon expresses deep sadness at the death of Eithne Vallely, recalling her founding of the Armagh Pipers Club and her decades of teaching young musicians and promoting traditional Irish music.
Other Education Original release: O'Hanlon pays tribute to Eithne Vallely (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt shows the Executive lacks a serious approach to government, and calls it an insult to healthcare workers and patients. He links it to the failure to agree a Budget and to internal party disputes.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes HSC Chief Executives' plans to speed up cutting agency staffing in the health service. He calls on the Health Minister and Executive to sustain the progress and plan permanent workforce recruitment and retention to avoid a return to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: HSC Chief Executives plan to accelerate reduction of agency staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good (opens in a new tab)