Other News In Brief

SDLP – Families 'Pushed To The Brink'

Families are being pushed to the brink as inflation hits a 40-year high, SDLP South Belfast MLA Matthew O'Toole has said.

Mr O'Toole said Stormont was powerless to do anything to help people, due to the DUP's refusal to return to the Executive.

Mr O'Toole said: "The news that inflation has reached a 40-year high will come as no surprise to families in communities across the North who have been struggling to get by for some time due to the seemingly never-ending price increases in essentials like food, petrol and gas and electricity bills. What this staggering figure does show is the scale of the challenge people are facing just to get one from week to the next, it simply can't continue.

"The sad fact is that while the DUP refuse to return to the Executive, their obstinate stance has left us powerless to protect people from this emergency. It's disgraceful that this is the only part of these islands that has yet to provide a penny in support to working families who are under unimaginable pressures.

"The SDLP has made addressing the costs crisis our number one priority and that won't change until we get people through this. We have come forward with numerous proposals to support people and address these issues in both the short and long-term, but unfortunately, they have fallen on deaf ears. There is currently over £300m sitting in a Stormont bank account doing nothing and if we had a functional Executive we would urge a quick £200 payment to every household to help people.

"We remain committed to introducing emergency legislation from the first sitting day of the new Assembly to address the problems impacting people in our communities, we cannot continue to stand by and watch families suffer."

New Software Engineering Assured Skills Academy Announced

A new Software Engineering Assured Skills Academy, offering 20 high quality training places, has been announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced.

Funded by the Department for the Economy, the Academy will see 20 participants receive 10 weeks of industry-relevant training with South Eastern Regional College (SERC) at their Bangor campus in areas such as Azure Fundamentals, Microsoft Logic Apps, SQL, Programming Fundamentals and Business Skills to provide the skills and experience required to take up exciting positions with ASOS.

Encouraging applications, Minister Lyons said: "I am very pleased to announce this Assured Skills Academy with ASOS and South Eastern Regional College. ASOS needs individuals with specialist skills in order to provide their global fashion and cosmetic retail service and this is a fantastic opportunity for 20 people to receive high quality training that will position them strongly for a Software Engineering post with the company.

"I am committed to building the local skills base as a key part of our economic recovery and my Department's Assured Skills Academies have a proven track record of success in this area by equipping participants with the skills employers need in order to flourish and grow, and this has been particularly true in the digital and tech fields.

"With an allowance of £155 per week while training, the jobs on offer are high quality and I would encourage anyone who is interested and eligible to apply for this Assured Skills Academy."

Participants who complete the course will be guaranteed a job interview with ASOS, although successful completion of the Academy is not a guarantee of gaining employment.

Whilst no previous experience is required applicants for the Academy must: be at least 18 years old; be eligible to work full-time in the UK; have a passion for technology and a desire to work in a fast paced, innovative environment.

Applications for the Software Engineering Assured Skills Academy are open now and close at midnight on Friday 10 June.

Council Launches 2022 Belfast In Bloom Competition

Belfast City Council has announced the launch of 2022's 'Belfast in Bloom' competition.

The popular competition, hosted by the Council, has been running for over 25 years, and was launched in Botanic Gardens by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Tom Haire.

Alderman Haire said: "Planting flowers in window boxes or flowerbeds is not only wonderful for our neighbourhoods and streets but Belfast as a whole. It enhances residents' local environments by adding more colour and brightens up many areas across the city. Gardening is also said to bring physical and mental well-being benefits too.

"Belfast in Bloom has been running for over 25 years and continues to grow in popularity each year.  We hope this year's competition will attract more entries from residents, community groups, local businesses and schools making Belfast even more brighter and beautiful."

Residents can enter the awards categories for 'Best Hanging Basket', 'Best Window Box' and 'Best Front Garden'. Community groups/organisations can enter for 'Best Community Street', 'Best Community Group' and 'Best Community Garden'.

Businesses in the city can enter the commercial category for 'Best Hotel', 'Best Public House', 'Best Restaurant', 'Best Commercial Street' and 'Best Commercial Premises'. While local schools can enter for 'Best Kept School Garden' in the north, south, east and west of the city.

There is also an Allotment category for 'Best Individual Allotment' and 'Best Allotment Site' in Belfast.

The competition is free to enter with the closing date for the school awards' category on Friday 24 June and the closing date for all other categories on Friday 29 July, with judging taking place during August.