11 Apr, 2025 Lyons confirms increased funding for Ulster-Scots Agency Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed an uplift in funding for the Ulster-Scots Agency, secured through a targeted reallocation within the Department for Communities. Some one-off funding adjustments for 2025 were agreed at a Council meeting on 10 April. As part of this move, £103,000 will be transferred from the Department’s Culture Division directly to the Ulster-Scots Agency. Under existing cross-border funding arrangements, this decision will also unlock an additional £34,500 in support from the Irish Government, resulting in a total increase of £137,500 in the agency’s allocation.
11 Apr, 2025 Platform: We don’t need another quango - Emma Little-Pengelly MLA A million pound a year new quango for yet more advice? I can think of many better ways to spend this money. I'm sure you can too.
09 Apr, 2025 Bank access should not be a barrier to business - Forsythe South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has raised serious concerns about the impact of declining local banking services on small businesses in Northern Ireland. Speaking during a Finance Committee session attended by UK Finance and senior banking representatives, she emphasised the challenges faced by rural communities as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into banking and financial services.
09 Apr, 2025 Northern Ireland’s interests must be protected: Robinson DUP Leader Gavin Robinson met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland this morning alongside Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart.
09 Apr, 2025 Where are the Minister’s priorities? Asks Buckley DUP MLA for Upper Bann, Jonathan Buckley, has challenged Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to make clear that, in any tariff war between the EU and the US, she will prioritise the interests of the Northern Ireland economy.
08 Apr, 2025 Urgent need to address PSNI fleet concerns - Clarke The DUP’s lead representative on the Policing Board Trevor Clarke has responded to a report released today by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) which raises significant concerns about the management of the PSNI's fleet.
07 Apr, 2025 School Uniform Bill delay would punish hard pressed families - Martin DUP MLA Peter Martin has called on MLAs from Alliance and Sinn Fein to rethink a move that would see the benefits of the School Uniform legislation brought forward by Paul Givan, delayed until September 2027. A vote will be held on the move in the Assembly on Monday.
04 Apr, 2025 Will more face prosecution for terrorist support and glorification? Bunting DUP Justice Spokesperson Joanne Bunting has said the real test following the first prosecution in Northern Ireland over online comments in support of terrorism is whether further such cases will follow.
04 Apr, 2025 Decision exposes DFI Minister’s warped priorities - Brett North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett has said it is nothing short of shocking that Sinn Féin’s Infrastructure Minister claims she can’t find £5,000 from a £1.5 billion budget to support a simple but transformative pedestrianisation project in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, yet somehow managed to approve £150,000 for Irish language signage at Grand Central Station after the fact.
04 Apr, 2025 Givan welcomes agreement on teachers’ pay Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed a decision by the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) to accept a 5.5% pay offer for teachers. The pay settlement was agreed by the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC) andwill bring to an end the ongoing industrial action.