Other News In Brief

14 Digital Radio Stations Launch In NI

Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, has launched the switch-on of 14 digital radio stations in the north of Ireland.

The switch-on of six new DAB radio transmitters means that 1.4 million listeners will have a wide variety of radio stations to listen to from rock and pop to religious and sport stations. From today, listeners across the north will have a choice of 31 DAB digital radio stations, including 11 BBC station and 20 commercial stations.

Minister Ní Chuilín said: "This is a fantastic boost for radio listeners across the north.

"The ability to tune into this wide range of radio stations will improve radio coverage and enable almost 80% of households and 62% of the main road network to have access to content that they previously would not have had before."

Call For Govt To Reduce VAT On The Cost Of Refurbishing Older Buildings

Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Reg Empey, has urged the Government at Westminster to reduce VAT on the cost of refurbishing older buildings and homes in order to make them more energy efficient and to create jobs.

Lord Empey said: "During Question Time in the House of Lords today I used the opportunity to highlight that the government had twin objectives - an increase in energy efficiency and the creation of more jobs. It is difficult to think of any other measure that government could take which would achieve these two objectives at once.

"By reducing VAT on upgrading older properties, including listed buildings, this will encourage both individuals and businesses to invest in more energy efficient structures which, in addition to providing increased levels of comfort, will in the medium term also save them money. There will be an immediate increase in the amount of building work created, especially if the reduced rate is time limited. Given that Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK where the construction sector is still declining, this measure would be especially welcome here.

"Following the recent spell of warm weather it is hard to turn our minds to savings on heating, but we all know the cold days will return and as Northern Ireland has a higher proportion of people in fuel poverty than in any other region of the UK it is in our interests to encourage the Chancellor to take up this idea."

McCann Commends Youth Initiatives

West Belfast MLA and Junior Minister Jennifer McCann has commended the cross community work Youth Initiatives has carried out in both West and East Belfast over the past few weeks.

Speaking at a celebration event in the groups new premises in Poleglass, Ms McCann said: "Over the past few weeks Youth Initiatives have brought hundreds of young people together through their lifeguard volunteering project which has taken place in West and East Belfast.

"Young volunteers from both areas and from Banbridge have worked in a number of summer schemes in West and East Belfast with hundreds of young people on a daily basis.

"It has brought young people together in such a way that not only makes them feel they are making a positive contribution to their community but also builds on new relationships with their peers fro other areas.

"I want to congratulate the Youth Initiatives team for the sterling work that they have carried out over the past few weeks and I want to especially thank the young volunteers involved in the scheme for giving up their free time so that hundreds of children and young people could enjoy events in the programme."

(CD/JP)