Other News In Brief

New £1m Conference Support Scheme For The Tourism Industry

A £1m conference support scheme for the tourism industry has been launched to provide an incentive for conference organisers to bring their events to Northern Ireland.

Launched in partnership with Tourism NI, Visit Belfast, Visit Derry, Belfast City Council and Derry and Strabane District Council, the scheme is part of the Tourism Recovery Action Plan and is aimed at securing business events for Northern Ireland.

The Conference Support Scheme was first established in 2010 and has delivered over one hundred conferences to date, generating an economic impact of £102 million. Following the recent decision by Executive to allow conferences and exhibitions to resume, the scheme has been revised and re-launched to help support the recovery of the tourism industry.

Through the scheme conference organisers will receive £50 for each out of state delegate that visits Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the scheme, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Tom Haire said: "Investment in world-class venues, attractions, experiences and conference services, including the £30m upgrade and extension to ICC Belfast, over the last five years has made Belfast and Northern Ireland a destination of choice for conference organisers around the world. COVID-19 brought the conference and events industry to standstill, so this intervention comes at an important time to rebuild this important pillar of our visitor economy."

Minister Supporting NI Firms At DSEI Trade Show

Gordon Lyons, Minister for the Economy, is in London to support 14 Northern Ireland companies at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) trade show.

DSEI is the world's largest land, sea, air and space biennial defence and security exhibition, and showcases over 1,000 defence and security suppliers.

Minister Lyons said: "Northern Ireland companies have shown great resilience over the last 18 months, particularly when they were not able to visit overseas markets and exhibitions which we know are important to building relationships with potential investors and trade partners. This is why it's great to be here today at DSEI which is one of the first physical exhibitions being held in the sector since the pandemic.

"Northern Ireland's defence, security and aerospace sectors are important to our economy, employing over 7,000 people and contributing £1.5billion annually to our economy. Attending today has given me the opportunity to support the exhibiting companies to reach influential decision makers and meet a number of key stakeholders within the industry to build important trade relationships."

Removal Of UC Uplift 'Callous' – Farry

Alliance MP Stephen Farry has described the UK government's removal of the £20 uplift in universal credit as "callous and at odds with enabling everyone to realise their full potential in an inclusive society".

The North Down MP was speaking after the House of Commons backed a non-binding Labour motion to cancel the Government's planned repealing of the £20 uplift in universal credit, which was introduced as part of the response to the COVID pandemic. It is due to expire on October 6.

Dr Farry said it should be made permanent: "I voted to support the continuance of the £20 uplift in universal credit and want to make it permanent. This uplift was introduced as part of the wider financial and economic support offered by the Government due to the pandemic.

"Like other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland has seen a massive increase in the number of people claiming universal credit, doubling since the start of the pandemic. However, this uplift has served to reflect the even more precarious situation under which too many individuals and families were forced to survive.

"Now emerging from the pandemic, there is a need to rebuild and reshape our economy and society, and, in particular, to place a much greater emphasis on equity and social justice. The planned removal of this uplift comes at a time of increased energy costs, the recently announced hike in national insurance contributions which disproportionately hits the low paid, and the end of furlough which could see a significant increase in redundancies.

"I have been lobbied by a large of constituents on this issue, and am grateful for their representations. The UK economy can easily support and maintain the higher level of universal credit payments, especially when considered against other spending commitments. Any removal of this benefit from so many people living on such tight margins would be callous, and at odds with an inclusive society and enabling everyone to realise their full potential in it."