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03/08/2021
Other News In Brief
SDLP Welcomes Update On PO Benefit Payment Changes
An update from the Department for Communities (DfC) on changes to the current benefit payments to Post Office accounts has been welcomed by SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Mark H Durkan.
The Department's contract with the Post Office is due to end in November 2021 and will impact some 51,000 customers across the North. Mr Durkan has persistently appealed to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to make the transition process as simple as possible.
The Foyle MLA said: "The Payment Exception Service will use the Paypoint and Post Office network to cash vouchers. This will allow customers to access funds across a wider spectrum of locations and venues going forward.
"I'm glad that action has finally been taken by the Department, in line with their aim for greater financial inclusion, to support many vulnerable people to migrate over."
Weather Warning Issued For Thundery Downpours
The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for 'slow moving thundery downpours' for Friday 06 August.
The forecaster has warned that the rain may cause localised surface water impacts.
According to the Met Office:
• There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater.
• Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
The weather warning comes into affect at 10am on Friday and remains in place until midnight.
People Urged To Register To Vote To Qualify For High Street Voucher Scheme
People are being urged to register to vote in order to qualify for the upcoming high street voucher scheme.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy has warned that the Stormont scheme would be "severely undermined" by the current low number of registered voters.
The electoral register was wiped at the of end of June. According to Minister Murphy currently only one third of people are registered.
Mr Murphy said: "If only 30% of people are accessing the high street voucher scheme, it's not going to have the economic stimulant affect that the executive wants it to have, so I would encourage people to get themselves registered.
"Primarily because it's important for people to vote, but certainly in terms of the economic stimulus that the executive envisaged the high street voucher scheme having, that would severely undermine it if we don't see a significant uptake in electoral registration."
An update from the Department for Communities (DfC) on changes to the current benefit payments to Post Office accounts has been welcomed by SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Mark H Durkan.
The Department's contract with the Post Office is due to end in November 2021 and will impact some 51,000 customers across the North. Mr Durkan has persistently appealed to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to make the transition process as simple as possible.
The Foyle MLA said: "The Payment Exception Service will use the Paypoint and Post Office network to cash vouchers. This will allow customers to access funds across a wider spectrum of locations and venues going forward.
"I'm glad that action has finally been taken by the Department, in line with their aim for greater financial inclusion, to support many vulnerable people to migrate over."
Weather Warning Issued For Thundery Downpours
The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for 'slow moving thundery downpours' for Friday 06 August.
The forecaster has warned that the rain may cause localised surface water impacts.
According to the Met Office:
• There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater.
• Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
The weather warning comes into affect at 10am on Friday and remains in place until midnight.
People Urged To Register To Vote To Qualify For High Street Voucher Scheme
People are being urged to register to vote in order to qualify for the upcoming high street voucher scheme.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy has warned that the Stormont scheme would be "severely undermined" by the current low number of registered voters.
The electoral register was wiped at the of end of June. According to Minister Murphy currently only one third of people are registered.
Mr Murphy said: "If only 30% of people are accessing the high street voucher scheme, it's not going to have the economic stimulant affect that the executive wants it to have, so I would encourage people to get themselves registered.
"Primarily because it's important for people to vote, but certainly in terms of the economic stimulus that the executive envisaged the high street voucher scheme having, that would severely undermine it if we don't see a significant uptake in electoral registration."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 May 2018
Electoral Office Urged To Introduce Online Voter Registration
The Electoral Office should end the delay in implementing online voter registration and work to get tens of thousands of people back on the electoral register, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said.
Electoral Office Urged To Introduce Online Voter Registration
The Electoral Office should end the delay in implementing online voter registration and work to get tens of thousands of people back on the electoral register, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said.
18 September 2018
Parents And Working Families Urged To Register For Childcare Voucher Scheme
New parents and working families are being urged to ensure that they register for the Childcare Voucher scheme. Sinn Féin Children and Young People spokesperson, Catherine Kelly, made the call after meeting Employers for Childcare in the Assembly ahead of the 04 October deadline for the scheme.
Parents And Working Families Urged To Register For Childcare Voucher Scheme
New parents and working families are being urged to ensure that they register for the Childcare Voucher scheme. Sinn Féin Children and Young People spokesperson, Catherine Kelly, made the call after meeting Employers for Childcare in the Assembly ahead of the 04 October deadline for the scheme.
23 March 2009
Secure Voting Rights Now, Says Commission
The Electoral Commission is calling on thousands of 'missing' voters to secure their vote in time for the European Parliamentary elections on 4 June. The appeal starts today - the start of 'Register to Vote Week', in which a series of activities will take place across Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the need to register to vote.
Secure Voting Rights Now, Says Commission
The Electoral Commission is calling on thousands of 'missing' voters to secure their vote in time for the European Parliamentary elections on 4 June. The appeal starts today - the start of 'Register to Vote Week', in which a series of activities will take place across Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the need to register to vote.
07 February 2003
SDLP meet with electoral office over registration fears
The SDLP have met with the Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley over fears that many eligible voters have not been included on the electoral register. Speaking after yesterday's meeting, assembly member Eugene McMenamin described the exchange as "very positive".
SDLP meet with electoral office over registration fears
The SDLP have met with the Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley over fears that many eligible voters have not been included on the electoral register. Speaking after yesterday's meeting, assembly member Eugene McMenamin described the exchange as "very positive".
15 January 2003
Loyalists voters claim Adams 'guilty' of human rights breach
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams could be forced into court to face allegations he has abandoned 16,000 of his west Belfast constituents. A petition signed by thousands of people in the loyalist Shankill Road district claims the Sinn Féin MP has failed them because he has consistently boycotted his parliamentary duties in the House of Commons.
Loyalists voters claim Adams 'guilty' of human rights breach
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams could be forced into court to face allegations he has abandoned 16,000 of his west Belfast constituents. A petition signed by thousands of people in the loyalist Shankill Road district claims the Sinn Féin MP has failed them because he has consistently boycotted his parliamentary duties in the House of Commons.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
