Menu
21/12/2021
Other News In Brief
NI Travel Industry 'Decimated' By Pandemic
The DUP has called on the Finance Minister to bring forward measure to help NI's travel industry.
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the call after he met with representatives of the travel industry, which he said had been "decimated" by the pandemic.
He said: "Our outbound travel providers have been utterly decimated by the pandemic. The introduction of further restrictions upon UK travellers has resulted in these businesses being officially open, but effectively closed.
"The sector cannot simply continue to endure these unsustainable losses.
"The situation has become untenable for many of these businesses and without support from government, job losses will be the inevitable outcome.
"The UK Government has provided the Northern Ireland Executive with additional funding in response to the Omicron variant and the Finance Minister must move urgently to get this funding support out to those in need without delay.
"Travel Agents are at the heart of our high streets across Northern Ireland, employing over 700 people. The reality is that many of these businesses will be lost, if support is not forthcoming urgently."
NI Needs Green New Deal To Tackle Rising Energy Costs
A Green New Deal would help Northern Ireland tackle rising energy costs, Alliance's Danny Donnelly has said.
Appointed the party's Biodiversity and Green Energy spokesperson, Mr Donnelly has called for the retrofitting of all social housing and grants to retrofit private homes with energy efficiency measures, which he said would be a major step towards helping people get through the current crisis of rising energy costs.
Danny continued: "As we have recently seen, energy costs have risen dramatically for people across Northern Ireland and will likely to continue to do so.
"When coupled with increased cost of living across society, the ongoing pandemic and the heartless cut in universal credit affecting many, now is the time to look at how we get our energy and how we can future-proof our consumption.
"We have long seen an over-reliance on fossil fuels, with no thought given to our long-term future. Rather than sitting back, we need to be working hard to champion renewable energy. Alliance's proposal to retrofit social housing and give grants to do the same with private homes by 2030 is a fundamental step towards decarbonising the residential sector, while helping people now cope with the rising costs being experienced across our society.
"Many people are rightly worried about how they will pay for their latest energy bills. But it doesn't have to be like this. If we retrofit homes and actively tackle this crisis, we can remove that stress from people's lives."
SDLP Calls For 'Reset' In Approach To Protocol
The SDLP has called for a "reset" in the approach to the NI Protocol following the resignation of the British Government’s Brexit Minister David Frost.
Making the call, party leader, Colum Eastwood MP said: "It is telling that in his resignation letter, David Frost failed to make even a cursory mention of Northern Ireland. The truth is that his approach to the negotiations over the operation of the protocol were aggressively influenced by narrow ideology, almost always at odds with the needs and wishes of people and businesses on this island.
"The negotiations over the protocol cannot become a victim to the chaos at the heart of government in London. Frost’s resignation is an opportunity to reset the approach to the dialogue with the European Commission, to refresh the relationship with the EU and to return to the solutions that are presented to these challenges in the Good Friday Agreement.
"My clear view is that Boris Johnson’s days as British Prime Minister are numbered. He has lost control of his parliamentary party, Ministers are beginning to desert his government and his moral authority, if it ever existed, is in tatters.
"The next phase of politics between and across these islands must be marked by a commitment to cooperation in the best interests of the people we represent."
The DUP has called on the Finance Minister to bring forward measure to help NI's travel industry.
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the call after he met with representatives of the travel industry, which he said had been "decimated" by the pandemic.
He said: "Our outbound travel providers have been utterly decimated by the pandemic. The introduction of further restrictions upon UK travellers has resulted in these businesses being officially open, but effectively closed.
"The sector cannot simply continue to endure these unsustainable losses.
"The situation has become untenable for many of these businesses and without support from government, job losses will be the inevitable outcome.
"The UK Government has provided the Northern Ireland Executive with additional funding in response to the Omicron variant and the Finance Minister must move urgently to get this funding support out to those in need without delay.
"Travel Agents are at the heart of our high streets across Northern Ireland, employing over 700 people. The reality is that many of these businesses will be lost, if support is not forthcoming urgently."
NI Needs Green New Deal To Tackle Rising Energy Costs
A Green New Deal would help Northern Ireland tackle rising energy costs, Alliance's Danny Donnelly has said.
Appointed the party's Biodiversity and Green Energy spokesperson, Mr Donnelly has called for the retrofitting of all social housing and grants to retrofit private homes with energy efficiency measures, which he said would be a major step towards helping people get through the current crisis of rising energy costs.
Danny continued: "As we have recently seen, energy costs have risen dramatically for people across Northern Ireland and will likely to continue to do so.
"When coupled with increased cost of living across society, the ongoing pandemic and the heartless cut in universal credit affecting many, now is the time to look at how we get our energy and how we can future-proof our consumption.
"We have long seen an over-reliance on fossil fuels, with no thought given to our long-term future. Rather than sitting back, we need to be working hard to champion renewable energy. Alliance's proposal to retrofit social housing and give grants to do the same with private homes by 2030 is a fundamental step towards decarbonising the residential sector, while helping people now cope with the rising costs being experienced across our society.
"Many people are rightly worried about how they will pay for their latest energy bills. But it doesn't have to be like this. If we retrofit homes and actively tackle this crisis, we can remove that stress from people's lives."
SDLP Calls For 'Reset' In Approach To Protocol
The SDLP has called for a "reset" in the approach to the NI Protocol following the resignation of the British Government’s Brexit Minister David Frost.
Making the call, party leader, Colum Eastwood MP said: "It is telling that in his resignation letter, David Frost failed to make even a cursory mention of Northern Ireland. The truth is that his approach to the negotiations over the operation of the protocol were aggressively influenced by narrow ideology, almost always at odds with the needs and wishes of people and businesses on this island.
"The negotiations over the protocol cannot become a victim to the chaos at the heart of government in London. Frost’s resignation is an opportunity to reset the approach to the dialogue with the European Commission, to refresh the relationship with the EU and to return to the solutions that are presented to these challenges in the Good Friday Agreement.
"My clear view is that Boris Johnson’s days as British Prime Minister are numbered. He has lost control of his parliamentary party, Ministers are beginning to desert his government and his moral authority, if it ever existed, is in tatters.
"The next phase of politics between and across these islands must be marked by a commitment to cooperation in the best interests of the people we represent."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 July 2003
Consumer Council calls for action on energy costs
The General Consumer Council today called for action to cut energy costs in the province following the publication of consultation on the government’s New Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Chairman of the Consumer Council, Steve Costello, said that the single biggest issue facing energy consumers was the "high price" of services.
Consumer Council calls for action on energy costs
The General Consumer Council today called for action to cut energy costs in the province following the publication of consultation on the government’s New Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Chairman of the Consumer Council, Steve Costello, said that the single biggest issue facing energy consumers was the "high price" of services.
28 November 2024
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
28 November 2024
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
01 April 2010
Energy Cost Cut 'Suits' Mens Outfitter
Independent clothing company Bogart Menswear is one of the latest retailers to benefit from green energy savings having moved to a renewable energy supply from Energia. Established for over 30 years in Ann Street Belfast, the Bogart chain also comprises a store in Newry and a recently opened flagship store in Belfast City Centre.
Energy Cost Cut 'Suits' Mens Outfitter
Independent clothing company Bogart Menswear is one of the latest retailers to benefit from green energy savings having moved to a renewable energy supply from Energia. Established for over 30 years in Ann Street Belfast, the Bogart chain also comprises a store in Newry and a recently opened flagship store in Belfast City Centre.
14 January 2022
£55m Energy Payment Support Scheme Announced
A new £55 million Energy Payment Support Scheme for vulnerable people struggling to meet rising energy costs has been announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey. A one-off payment of £200 will be made automatically to around 280,000 eligible people in receipt of specified benefits.
£55m Energy Payment Support Scheme Announced
A new £55 million Energy Payment Support Scheme for vulnerable people struggling to meet rising energy costs has been announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey. A one-off payment of £200 will be made automatically to around 280,000 eligible people in receipt of specified benefits.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
