Emergency Services Attending The Scene Of A Collision In East Belfast

Police have warned of ongoing traffic disruptions following a collision in East Belfast.

Emergency services are at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on the Knock Road, at the junction of Shandon Park.

Police have urged motorists to seeking alternative routes as the situation is ongoing, and warned that traffic would be disrupted for a number of hours.

Alliance Call For Further Financial Support For Musicians

Alliance has called on the Minister for Communities to seek further support for NI's musicians, DJs, and all those involved in large scale events.

The party's Communities Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong said she was disappointed after it was confirmed no further financial support would be offered to the sector after COVID restrictions prevented them from working.

She said: "The last Covid funding for musicians, DJs and those who set up events, was September 2021. That money was issued quickly by the Arts Council and while that was very welcomed support, it was a one-off amount.

"While nightclubs and larger events remained closed, income streams dried up and a significant part of the Arts and Entertainment sector was left without means.

"The Finance Minister had indicated that he was open to considering bids from any Minister where there was an impact of Covid in specific sectors.

"I'm disappointed the Minister for Communities is not putting forward a bid to support our Entertainers and instead has only provided a link to a charity benevolent fund that could provide a £250 one-off amount. That won't go too far towards a mortgage or rent or tackle the rising cost of living for all those impacted."

Poots Welcomes Rise In Farm Income But Raises Concerns Over Rise In Input Costs

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed a report of a rise in farm incomes for 2021 but said that the continuing rise in input costs is a concern.

The Minister was commenting following the publication of the first (provisional) estimate for 2021 farm incomes, which indicate that the 'Total Income from Farming' (TIFF) in Northern Ireland rose by 8.3% (8.0% in real terms) from £463million in 2020 to £501million in 2021.

Mr Poots said: "It is welcomed that the total income from farming figure increased between 2020 and 2021 by 8.3%. This increase is on the back of improved prices for farm produce during 2021 but it's disappointing that most of these price gains were offset by substantial increases in input costs.  Rising input costs have been a concern during 2021 and continue to be as we move into 2022."

Minister Poots continued: "Farm level estimates also show that not all farm types experienced an increase in incomes in 2021. In particular, the incomes of pig farms are substantially down due to lower pigmeat prices and much higher feed costs during 2021. Like all farm sectors, the pig sector has faced market fluctuations before but the combination of both lower prices and rising costs has been very testing and I have been working with the sector closely and continue to monitor the situation."