Other News In Brief

Support Fund For The Newly Self-Employed Announced

A new Covid-19 support scheme worth £10m for the newly self-employed has been announced by Economy Minister Diane Dodds.

Minister Dodds said: "I am pleased to be able to announce this new support scheme which will help thousands more businesses in need across Northern Ireland.

"It will provide financial support to newly self-employed individuals (sole traders and those in partnerships) whose business is adversely impacted by Covid and who have not been able to access support from the UK government’s Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.”

A one-off taxable grant of £3,500 will be provided. This will enable support to be provided to approximately 2,900 newly self-employed individuals.

Bangor Post Box One-Of-Four 'Festive' Green Boxes Across The UK

Royal Mail has confirmed that Bangor's High Street Post Box has been dedicated as one of four 'festive post boxes' that have been painted green for December across the UK.

Welcoming the news, North Down DUP MLA Gordon Dunne said: "Following a number of queries regarding the mystery painting of the green post box in High Street in Bangor, Royal Mail have now delivered confirmation to me that this particular Post Box is one of four festive Post Boxes across the United Kingdom for the month of December.

"There has been quite a bit of speculation and mystery as to why this Post Box was painted green. I have received an assurance from Royal Mail that the Post Box will be restored to its original red colour after the Christmas period and it is reassuring to know that it wasn’t an act of vandalism."

United Ireland Campaign Launched In Belfast

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has welcomed the launch of United Ireland campaign in Belfast.

Mr Finucane said: "Irish unity can lead to new and better opportunities for all citizens - including economic prosperity, job creation, an all-Ireland national health service and European Union membership for the entirety of our island.

"Across Belfast, Sinn Féin activists will be undertaking a series of initiatives highlighting the need to plan for Unity and encouraging further conversation across all sections of society.

"Billboards have been erected at some of the city's busiest junctions, various social media content uploaded and a variety of opinion pieces on the merits of unity."