Other News In Brief

Two People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two people have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Lisburn Magistrates' Court.

Nicole Wilson claimed Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,052 while failing to declare employment. She was given 75 hours community service.

Jonathan Bodell claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £4,692 while failing to declare his partner's employment. He was given 100 hours community service.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Concerns Raised Over State Of Roads In NI

The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the state of the roads in Northern Ireland.

Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has called on the Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard to develop a costed strategic plan for road maintenance.

Ms Armstrong was speaking after an Assembly debate on road maintenance. She said: "I am pleased that members supported my amendment to the original motion, that instead of simply ring fencing money for road maintenance, the Minister and his Department needs to develop and publish a costed strategic plan for road maintenance and repair. That plan should be included as part of the Department for Infrastructure's ongoing work programme from 2017/18 to the end of the mandate.

"In a perfect world we would have enough money to start to reduce the estimated £1 billion backlog that has built up over the years. The results of that backlog can be seen in every part of Northern Ireland through the number of potholes that are continually patched. More worryingly is the fact that last year alone, almost 2000 claims for damage to cars led to a payout of £210,000.

"Of course I accept we are not in a perfect world and there is not a limitless pot of money for roads. That is why I believe that we need to rebalance the amount of capital expenditure being used for new road builds, with a new priority on structural maintenance."

SDLP Hits Out At Economy Minister For Not Raising Brexit In Germany

SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinead Bradley MLA has asked why the Economy Minister spent two days visiting Germany and apparently did not raise Brexit.

Ms Bradley said that the Minister, who refused to reveal how he voted on the EU referendum, undoubtedly enjoyed his visit to learn about the German economy but that the time should have been spent listening to the stark warnings from our European neighbours on the impact that leaving the EU would have.

Ms Bradley said: "It is incredible that throughout two days spent in Germany, one of the most thriving economies in Europe, all that the Economy Minister has to say is that he visited a cladding business and talked about cultural support for German business. This is the man responsible for promoting and defending the best interests of our economy and the net worth of his visit to an advanced economy is that it 'strikes a chord' with him.

"Was there no engagement on the biggest threat to our local economy? Has the Minister decided to bury his head in the sand on Brexit as more and more of our European colleagues point out that the terms of an exit from the EU would be devastating to our economy? It is quite frankly astounding that Simon Hamilton has decided to completely ignore that in his statement. But that may be because he realises just how much damage leaving the EU will actually do to people here."

(CD/MH)