Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates Court.

Leonard McCullough claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £8,468 while failing to declare employment. He was given 150 hours community service.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Work To Start On Road Improvement Project In Co Down

Work on a new road improvement project near Waringstown, Co Down, is to start on Monday, 27 February.

The work is to take place at the Hall Road/Anaghanoon Road junctions on the A26 Lurgan to Banbridge Road.

The £350,000 scheme will provide dedicated right turn lanes into both junctions and a new bus lay-by. The alignment of the A26 Banbridge Road will also be improved resulting in improved safety for road users.

Work is expected to take approximately 10 weeks to complete.

Traffic control will be in operation to facilitate the construction of this scheme and to ensure the safety of road users and site personnel.

Concerns Raised Over Voice Of NI Firms Going Unheard In Brexit Debate

Ulster Unionist MP, Danny Kinahan has raised concerns that the voice of Northern Ireland firms are going unheard in the Brexit debate.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee was taking evidence from Manufacturing NI Chief Executive, Stephen Kelly, Executive Director of Almac Group, Colin Hayburn and President and Managing Director of Almac Pharma services, Graeme McBurney.

The South Antrim MP said: "Some of the evidence I heard from representatives of Northern Ireland’s business community was extremely concerning. I asked the Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, whether he felt that with the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive, they were getting the chance to get their point across to the Brexit Department at Westminster. Worryingly the answer was no.

"The Committee was also told that information was not coming from the Northern Ireland Executive, or departments which are still supposed to be in operation. Representatives of Almac, one of Northern Ireland's largest employers, said they have resorted to asking the Irish Government for information. It is disgraceful that Northern Ireland companies should have to look to another government for guidance.

"It has always been my concern that Northern Ireland interests were not being fed into those who will be involved in Brexit negotiations. The Northern Ireland Executive remains the only devolved administration not to submit a Brexit plan to the UK Government. The Executive has now collapsed over the RHI scandal and surrendered any chance to influence the UK position.

"While we have done our utmost to influence the UK Government, the same cannot be said of the DUP and Sinn Fein. If the final Brexit deal is not a good one for Northern Ireland, they will bear the blame."

(CD/MH)