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05/10/2022
Other News In Brief
SDLP Hits Out Over Braverman's Comments
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna has said comments from Home Secretary Suella Braverman on deporting migrants show a complete lack of humanity and empathy.
Braverman said it would be her "dream" and "amazing" to see a flight deporting migrants to Rwanda by Christmas.
Ms Hanna said the comments were a new low, even by Tory standards.
She said: "At a time when the ‘new’ UK Government should be focusing on repairing the damage it has done to the economy during their time in power, it is disturbing that the Home Secretary is instead engaging in twisted fantasies about deporting vulnerable people.
"The Tories have shown time and again that they don’t care about ordinary people, those out working to pay the bills, pensioners, the sick or those seeking asylum don’t matter to politicians who want power for powers’ sake, for bizarre ideological experiments and so that they can look after and give breaks to their mates.
"However, even by Tory standards these comments are shocking and show an illness at the heart of their belief system. To welcome the idea of exporting people fleeing unimaginable hardship at Christmas is so unspeakably unpleasant it's a wonder any person would find it reasonable to express in public, never mind a Government Minister.
"The actions of this government over the last few months and years should give everyone pause about what kind of society we want to be part of. At the very least we should expect better than Scrooge-like politicians who want to live in a Dickensian nightmare where the rich get rewarded and the rights of the vulnerable degraded and eroded."
Call For Clarification Over Whether Benefits Will Rise With Inflation
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has sought clarification from the UK Government over whether benefits will rise in line with inflation.
Prime Minister Liz Truss has refused to rule out real terms benefit cuts, claiming it would be "fiscally responsible". Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong has now written to Minister for Work and Pensions Chloe Smith to seek clarification.
She said: "The annual benefits increase takes effect each April, based on the Consumer Price Index's rate of inflation. The previous increase was 3.1 per cent and the UK Government has said previously that rate would be used on an annual basis.
"Therefore benefits would need to be increased in line with inflation, which is estimated around nine per cent. If Chloe Smith and Liz Truss take a different approach to their predecessors, money will literally be taken away from those on the lowest incomes, all the while allowing higher bonuses to bankers.
"That would be an appalling move in this day and age, and would see more people living below the breadline in poverty. I await the Minister's response and hope the Government decides to not take a further towards the Dickensian society we are heading to."
£10m Wastewater Programme In Belfast Reaches Major Project Milestone
A £10 million wastewater programme in Belfast has reached a major project milestone.
Phase one of continued investment at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) has officially reached completion, protecting the environment, supporting development and aiding economic growth in the city. The extended wastewater treatment works will now have the capability of accommodating a population equivalent of almost half a million people.
Led by NI Water, the works involved the construction of two new treatment tanks at the Duncrue Road site to cope with current and short-term future wastewater requirements.
Welcoming the scheme, Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd said: "This £10m scheme is an essential and welcome investment for Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works which plays a crucial role in treating wastewater safely. This will help to pave the way for building much needed homes, creating jobs and growing our economy.
"This project is one part of the Living With Water Programme (LWWP) which addresses how we can work together to deliver integrated sustainable solutions to protect against flooding, enhance the water environment and provide the increased capacity needed for economic growth."
Mark Brownlee, Senior Project Manager at NI Water added: "Due to constraints in investment over the past 20 years, many parts of the wastewater and drainage infrastructure serving greater Belfast are now having to operate at or over their original design capacity.
"The two new treatment tanks that have been completed here will provide much-needed additional secondary treatment capacity and augment the existing process to ensure that the discharge to Belfast Lough remains compliant with Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards. The new assets will also facilitate essential improvements within the associated sewerage networks and will enable maintenance works to be undertaken in the other treatment tanks at a future date.
"This significant investment by NI Water will ensure our key wastewater treatment works for Belfast remains compliant, in advance of the next phase of the main 'Living With Water Programme' commencing."
This phase of work was completed by Murphy Dawson-Wam JV, with McAdam Design providing project management support.
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna has said comments from Home Secretary Suella Braverman on deporting migrants show a complete lack of humanity and empathy.
Braverman said it would be her "dream" and "amazing" to see a flight deporting migrants to Rwanda by Christmas.
Ms Hanna said the comments were a new low, even by Tory standards.
She said: "At a time when the ‘new’ UK Government should be focusing on repairing the damage it has done to the economy during their time in power, it is disturbing that the Home Secretary is instead engaging in twisted fantasies about deporting vulnerable people.
"The Tories have shown time and again that they don’t care about ordinary people, those out working to pay the bills, pensioners, the sick or those seeking asylum don’t matter to politicians who want power for powers’ sake, for bizarre ideological experiments and so that they can look after and give breaks to their mates.
"However, even by Tory standards these comments are shocking and show an illness at the heart of their belief system. To welcome the idea of exporting people fleeing unimaginable hardship at Christmas is so unspeakably unpleasant it's a wonder any person would find it reasonable to express in public, never mind a Government Minister.
"The actions of this government over the last few months and years should give everyone pause about what kind of society we want to be part of. At the very least we should expect better than Scrooge-like politicians who want to live in a Dickensian nightmare where the rich get rewarded and the rights of the vulnerable degraded and eroded."
Call For Clarification Over Whether Benefits Will Rise With Inflation
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has sought clarification from the UK Government over whether benefits will rise in line with inflation.
Prime Minister Liz Truss has refused to rule out real terms benefit cuts, claiming it would be "fiscally responsible". Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong has now written to Minister for Work and Pensions Chloe Smith to seek clarification.
She said: "The annual benefits increase takes effect each April, based on the Consumer Price Index's rate of inflation. The previous increase was 3.1 per cent and the UK Government has said previously that rate would be used on an annual basis.
"Therefore benefits would need to be increased in line with inflation, which is estimated around nine per cent. If Chloe Smith and Liz Truss take a different approach to their predecessors, money will literally be taken away from those on the lowest incomes, all the while allowing higher bonuses to bankers.
"That would be an appalling move in this day and age, and would see more people living below the breadline in poverty. I await the Minister's response and hope the Government decides to not take a further towards the Dickensian society we are heading to."
£10m Wastewater Programme In Belfast Reaches Major Project Milestone
A £10 million wastewater programme in Belfast has reached a major project milestone.
Phase one of continued investment at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) has officially reached completion, protecting the environment, supporting development and aiding economic growth in the city. The extended wastewater treatment works will now have the capability of accommodating a population equivalent of almost half a million people.
Led by NI Water, the works involved the construction of two new treatment tanks at the Duncrue Road site to cope with current and short-term future wastewater requirements.
Welcoming the scheme, Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd said: "This £10m scheme is an essential and welcome investment for Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works which plays a crucial role in treating wastewater safely. This will help to pave the way for building much needed homes, creating jobs and growing our economy.
"This project is one part of the Living With Water Programme (LWWP) which addresses how we can work together to deliver integrated sustainable solutions to protect against flooding, enhance the water environment and provide the increased capacity needed for economic growth."
Mark Brownlee, Senior Project Manager at NI Water added: "Due to constraints in investment over the past 20 years, many parts of the wastewater and drainage infrastructure serving greater Belfast are now having to operate at or over their original design capacity.
"The two new treatment tanks that have been completed here will provide much-needed additional secondary treatment capacity and augment the existing process to ensure that the discharge to Belfast Lough remains compliant with Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards. The new assets will also facilitate essential improvements within the associated sewerage networks and will enable maintenance works to be undertaken in the other treatment tanks at a future date.
"This significant investment by NI Water will ensure our key wastewater treatment works for Belfast remains compliant, in advance of the next phase of the main 'Living With Water Programme' commencing."
This phase of work was completed by Murphy Dawson-Wam JV, with McAdam Design providing project management support.
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25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
13 January 2015
NI Water Fined For Polluting Waterway
Northern Ireland Water has pleaded guilty and was fined £1,500 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for making a polluting discharge from the Dromore Wastewater Treatment Works in County Down.
NI Water Fined For Polluting Waterway
Northern Ireland Water has pleaded guilty and was fined £1,500 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for making a polluting discharge from the Dromore Wastewater Treatment Works in County Down.
04 August 2004
Wastewater Treatment Works opens in Fermanagh
A £4 million Wastewater Treatment Works which is designed to cope with population growth and development in Co Fermanagh has been officially opened.
Wastewater Treatment Works opens in Fermanagh
A £4 million Wastewater Treatment Works which is designed to cope with population growth and development in Co Fermanagh has been officially opened.
17 December 2001
New wastewater treatment works planned for Mayobridge
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has announced that work on updating the current water treatment works in Mayobridge, County Down is scheduled to begin in August 2003. The Minister outlined his Department’s plans for infrastructure improvements in the village following a meeting with local SDLP representatives at the weekend.
New wastewater treatment works planned for Mayobridge
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has announced that work on updating the current water treatment works in Mayobridge, County Down is scheduled to begin in August 2003. The Minister outlined his Department’s plans for infrastructure improvements in the village following a meeting with local SDLP representatives at the weekend.
28 June 2002
Water and sewerage infrastructure receives £100m
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has outlined plans to invest almost £100 million on upgrading the province's water and sewerage infrastructure. The Minister was speaking on Friday, June 28, at the opening of the new Derg Water Treatment Works near Castlederg, which was constructed at a cost of £10.3 million.
Water and sewerage infrastructure receives £100m
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has outlined plans to invest almost £100 million on upgrading the province's water and sewerage infrastructure. The Minister was speaking on Friday, June 28, at the opening of the new Derg Water Treatment Works near Castlederg, which was constructed at a cost of £10.3 million.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
