Other News In Brief

SDLP Claims Welfare Cuts Are Forcing People Into Homelessness

The SDLP has claimed welfare cuts are forcing people into homelessness.

The number of families presenting as homeless have risen by 60% since 2010, an increase that the National Audit Office attributes to Welfare Reform.

Cllr Paul McCusker said in north Belfast alone, there are just under 2000 households living in housing stress.

He said: "Already service providers are struggling to deal with the demand of those who find themselves homeless, given the lack of beds in temporary accommodation and room availability in family hostels, more and more people will be pushed onto the streets."

SDLP Deputy Leader Nichola Mallon MLA said: "We have a housing crisis across the North, set to be accelerated by the roll-out of Universal Credit and the bedroom tax pending the end of the mitigation package in 2020, and until those who hold the purse strings become less obsessed with balancing the books and more concerned about the people and families behind the statistics, this crisis will only deepen."

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming £16,168 benefits he was not entitled to at Antrim Crown Court.

Gary Cunningham claimed Income Support totalling £16,168 while failing to declare capital. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for one year.

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

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

Call For Voting Age To Be Lowered To 16

On United Nations' International Day of Democracy, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA has said that the time has come to empower our young people and deliver votes at 16.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: "Young people are the future, denying them the right to shape that future is senseless.

"The SDLP has long called for the right to vote at the age of 16, we do not accept that young people here should be marginalised and silenced.

"As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights movement, we must reignite the spirit and the unity of that movement to address the democratic deficiencies of today. That includes empowering our young people to strengthen civic society and play an active role in building a better future.

"The lives of our young people will be defined by those challenges that lay ahead, rather than lock them out, we need to give them voice."

(CD)