Other News In Brief

Concerns Raised Over Research Funding

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has expressed concern after the it emerged Northern Ireland has received less than 1% of funding from the British government's main research body in 2020/21.

An independent review into UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) revealed that universities, colleges and research bodies here received just 0.9% of the total funding awarded.

She said: "Research conducted here in Northern Ireland is world-leading. Every day, professionals across our colleges, universities and other institutions develop research that addresses real world problems and spurs progress, breaking new ground across society. Among our many achievements are driving the advances that contribute to new medical treatments, sparking innovative scientific discoveries and helping us learn more about the places we live and work.

"The research undertaken across the North is also essential to informing civic discourse and the public policy approaches we adopt to the major challenges facing all of our lives. Given the size of Northern Ireland we punch well above our weight when it comes to our research contributions and we have much to be proud of in recent years.

"It is deeply concerning that our research institutions received less than 1% of the total spend of the British government’s main research body in 2020/21. If the government is truly committed to distributing opportunity in an equitable way, then it must adopt a proactive and deliberate approach and institutions outside London must get their fair share of funding to enable them to continue doing this essential work."

Families Need Executive 'Up And Running' To Help With Uniform Costs - SF

Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said families urgently need an Executive up and running so that a plan to cut the costs of school uniforms for families can be progressed.

The West Belfast MLA said: "Workers and families are already struggling with the rising cost of living and the price of fuel and electricity, paying out huge amounts for school uniforms will only add more pressure.

"The recent increase in the uniform grant is welcome, but more must be done to support families with rising uniform costs. We need a long-term solution.

"Sinn Féin has a plan to make school uniforms affordable and cut costs for families when back to school time comes around.

"To implement this plan, we need an Executive up and running now so that we can start to put money in people’s pockets and implement a plan to cut the costs of school uniforms. One party should not hold that important work to ransom."

Call For Pregnancy Loss Scheme To Be Extended To NI

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has called on a scheme to formally recognise pregnancy losses before 24 weeks to be extended locally, in line with England.

The new scheme by the UK Government is part of a women’s health strategy, designed to put a greater focus on women’s specific health conditions, including fertility and pregnancy loss, and gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis.

The Strangford MLA said a similar scheme would help women across Northern Ireland.

"This will be the first time those experiencing miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancies in England will be able to receive an official certificate recording their loss,” she said.

"Providing a certificate to bereaved parents to formally recognise their baby loss is a welcome move and one which is another step towards removing the taboo around miscarriage.

"It is one which could and should be extended to Northern Ireland. The Communities and Health Ministers should review how this scheme is working, with a view to introducing it here. Bereaved parents need to have the opportunity to have a certificate confirming their baby existed. That would go a long way to help parents grieving the loss of their baby who died in pregnancy."