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20/04/2011
Alliance Manifesto Backs Water Charges
The Alliance Party has launched their election manifesto this week in Belfast.
The 150-page manifesto, which the party claims is the "most comprehensive and ambitious" ever produced in Northern Ireland, calls for a new Department for the Economy to be set up while reducing the overall number of departments from 12 to eight.
The party also announced it is in favour of the introduction of water charges in Northern Ireland as long as they are "fair".
Not having water charges means deeper cuts in public services, it said.
Alliance Party leader David Ford (pictured) claimed: "This is not a manifesto of changes that we want others to deliver.
"It's a manifesto of changes that we want to deliver."
Other pledges in the Alliance Party manifesto include cutting the number of MLAs to 80, opposing "unfair" increases in student tuition fees, promoting a cross-party working group to discuss and agree major reforms within the health service, having 20% of children in integrated schools and 40% in mixed schools by 2020 and introducing a lower rate of corporation tax.
(JG/BMcC)
The 150-page manifesto, which the party claims is the "most comprehensive and ambitious" ever produced in Northern Ireland, calls for a new Department for the Economy to be set up while reducing the overall number of departments from 12 to eight.
The party also announced it is in favour of the introduction of water charges in Northern Ireland as long as they are "fair".
Not having water charges means deeper cuts in public services, it said.
Alliance Party leader David Ford (pictured) claimed: "This is not a manifesto of changes that we want others to deliver.
"It's a manifesto of changes that we want to deliver."
Other pledges in the Alliance Party manifesto include cutting the number of MLAs to 80, opposing "unfair" increases in student tuition fees, promoting a cross-party working group to discuss and agree major reforms within the health service, having 20% of children in integrated schools and 40% in mixed schools by 2020 and introducing a lower rate of corporation tax.
(JG/BMcC)
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21 March 2014
Alliance Unaware Of Economic Realities – UUP
Councillor John Stewart has said he is "amazed" by comments made by Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo. In an interview earlier this week, Ms Lo voiced her support for a united Ireland, but her comments have divided her fellow politicians.
Alliance Unaware Of Economic Realities – UUP
Councillor John Stewart has said he is "amazed" by comments made by Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo. In an interview earlier this week, Ms Lo voiced her support for a united Ireland, but her comments have divided her fellow politicians.
02 November 2010
Builders 'Need Water Charges', Says RICS
A leading construction professional has reacted positively to this week's DUP policy document on dealing with Northern Ireland's financial crisis. However, he also disagreed with the First Minister, Peter Robinson's opposition to water charges.
Builders 'Need Water Charges', Says RICS
A leading construction professional has reacted positively to this week's DUP policy document on dealing with Northern Ireland's financial crisis. However, he also disagreed with the First Minister, Peter Robinson's opposition to water charges.
28 April 2011
'What A Relief' As Water Rise Pegged
Businesses in NI won't face huge hikes in their water rates after the Water and the Utility Regulator agreed an annual review of charges to metered customers at just 4% more for combined water and sewerage services. Non-domestic unmeasured customers will pay 3.5% more, despite retail price inflation running currently at around 5.3%.
'What A Relief' As Water Rise Pegged
Businesses in NI won't face huge hikes in their water rates after the Water and the Utility Regulator agreed an annual review of charges to metered customers at just 4% more for combined water and sewerage services. Non-domestic unmeasured customers will pay 3.5% more, despite retail price inflation running currently at around 5.3%.
21 May 2010
NI Cuts 'Can Be Delayed', Says PM
The new PM David Cameron has confirmed that the NI Assembly can make its own mind up about when to implement impending financial cutbacks. Although he made clear that NI would have to shoulder its share of UK-wide cuts and said, "the longer the debt was left, the worse the problem becomes" it is now clear the cuts could be deferred for a year.
NI Cuts 'Can Be Delayed', Says PM
The new PM David Cameron has confirmed that the NI Assembly can make its own mind up about when to implement impending financial cutbacks. Although he made clear that NI would have to shoulder its share of UK-wide cuts and said, "the longer the debt was left, the worse the problem becomes" it is now clear the cuts could be deferred for a year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
