Other News In Brief

Homelessness Exacerbated By Lack Of Executive – Alliance

Homelessness is being exacerbated across NI due to a lack of an Executive, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said.

The Strangford MLA was speaking after receiving a response from Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, which outlined the reasons for the 45 per cent increase in homelessness seen last year. The response states the significant increase was due to the loss of rented accommodation, a key cause of which was property sales.

Ms Armstrong said: "This answer outlines the serious increase seen in homelessness in Northern Ireland over the past year was due to private landlords leaving the housing sector.

"Restrictions during the pandemic meant private renters were protected from eviction and house sales stopped. But since then, a number of private landlords have subsequently removed their property from the rental market. With fewer properties available, homelessness increases.

"That competition leads to a growing gap between the amount of rent being charged and the local housing allocation, used to determine the amount of housing benefit that can be paid. This means more renters are having to top up their housing benefit from other benefits. That is the last thing we need during a cost of living crisis.

"In addition, we have no Executive to put in place legislation to deal with this worsening matter, which is exacerbating the homelessness issue. We need it restored alongside the Assembly, to address this issue before we reach the winter and it becomes even more deadly."

Six Men Arrested In Investigation Into Republican Paramilitary Group

Six men, aged between 28 and 54, have been arrested in an investigation into republican paramilitary group, the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA).

According to reports, the arrests were made during an operation in the Glen Road area of west Belfast on Tuesday night.

The men, aged 28, 36, 39, 42, 47 and 54, remain in custody.

It is understood that a number of 'flash-bangs' were deployed during the operation and their use has been reported to the Police Ombudsman as procedure requires.

A5 Works Needed To Save Lives – SDLP

The SDLP has warned that more lives will be lost on the A5 road without progress on the upgrading scheme.

Mr McCrossan was speaking after a number of deaths on the road in recent weeks; he said every option should be exhausted to bring the project forward and save lives.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "I am incredibly frustrated that well over a decade on from the beginning of plans to upgrade the A5 road we are still waiting. The reality is the delays to carrying out this vital work have cost people their lives, have left families heartbroken and communities ripped apart. Just in recent weeks we have seen a number of deaths on this road and we cannot allow the current situation to continue.

"The frequency of deaths on this road is startling, since 2006 we have seen upwards of 40 people lose their lives while travelling on the A5. This is the most dangerous road anywhere on these islands and it’s utterly disgraceful that this work has been repeatedly held up by legal challenges and red tape with drastic consequences for those who travel along it.

"We have heard speculation that work on this upgrade could finally begin next year, but we can’t afford to wait. I would urge Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd to exhaust every option open to him to bring this project forward and begin work as soon as possible. I understand the challenges we are facing right across our society, but people’s lives are at stake and we need to act now or more people will die on this road."