Other News In Brief

North Belfast Cancer Lifeline Centre Supporting Those Affected By Cancer

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Christina Black has attended a celebration event to hear about the impact of a major investment at the Cancer Lifeline centre in north Belfast.

The team at Cancer Lifeline provided one-to-one support for 6,641 individuals and families affected by cancer last year compared to 3,639 prior to the upgrade of their Alliance Avenue premises.

The charity refurbished its existing property and extended into a neighbouring property, thanks to an £890,000 investment by Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities. It reopened in March 2021.

Councillor Black said: "It is an absolute pleasure to visit Cancer Lifeline's amazing new premises and hear about the impact this investment has had. Since it first opened in 1999, the centre has been a haven for individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis. The incredible team here provide invaluable emotional and physical support as people go through their cancer journey and treatment regimes.

"While we weren't able to mark the opening of the centre in the way we would have liked to last year due to Covid restrictions, I am delighted that today's event has been organised to allow the team to properly celebrate its success and pay tribute to the staff and volunteer committee who provide a fantastic service to the community."

Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, said: "Cancer Lifeline is a project that my Department has supported over many years. The opportunity to contribute just over £296,000 to renovations of the new premises and on-going funding through the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme enables the Board, staff and volunteers to support cancer patients and their families at a very difficult time in their lives and is an invaluable service to many."

Bernadette Montgomery MBE, Chairperson of Cancer Lifeline, said: "As the Chair and founder member of Cancer Lifeline, I am so pleased to be able to invite a range of very special guests along to see our beautiful new premises and host an event which marks its opening and celebrates its impact.

"The centre was originally set up by four local women, all cancer patients. From very humble beginnings, Cancer Lifeline has gone on to support thousands of people over the years. I'm very proud of how far we have come, and I am also very proud of these new premises which will enable us to continue our work supporting cancer patients and their families as they navigate what is often the most difficult periods in their lives."

Inflation Increase Shows Scale Of Challenges Facing Families – SDLP

The return of inflation to 10.1% shows the scale of the challenge facing families this winter, SDLP Cost of Living Spokesperson Matthew O'Toole has said.

Mr O'Toole said he was seriously concerned that many people would struggle to afford heating and groceries, with a further rise in inflation anticipated.

The Leader of the Opposition said it was disgraceful that communities in the North were being failed by the DUP's refusal to do their jobs, an imploding Tory party and the looming prospect of an Assembly election.

South Belfast MLA Mr O'Toole said: "I am extremely concerned at how families across Northern Ireland are going to get through this winter with food prices seeing the biggest rise in decades and energy bills soaring without adequate support in place. The result is we are hearing more and more reports of parents skipping meals and people refusing to turn on their heating despite temperatures dropping.

"It's deeply regrettable that at a time of such acute emergency and need for so many we are talking about an Assembly election in December, instead of the best way we can support the people who elected parties just months ago who promised to protect them during the cost of living crisis. When people need leadership from their politicians, we instead have a Tory government in meltdown, too distracted by its own incompetence to help people here, and the DUP who block us from helping people to pursue a doomed attempt to reverse the result of where their hard-Brexit agenda had led them.

"Families are worried about what the next few months will bring, prices are set to increase further and the majority here who rely on home heating oil have been offered a derisory £100 electricity bill discount to get them through it. Instead of preparing for an election when people are going cold and hungry, we should be doing everything within our power to implement proposals like the SDLP's 1000 litres of home heating oil voucher scheme to actually help people who need it."

Alliance Calls For Increase In Benefits In Line With Inflation

The UK Government must confirm that benefits will rise in line with inflation, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said, after new figures showed the cost of living is rising at its fastest rate for 40 years.

The Strangford MLA was speaking after the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation was announced as 10.1 per cent. The UK Government has said previously the rate would be used on an annual basis to increase benefits but Prime Minister Liz Truss has refused to rule out real terms benefit cuts, while Work and Pensions Minister Chloe Smith did not clarify the matter when quizzed by Ms Armstrong.

"The Government has to date only used woolly language and refused to confirm if benefits would rise in line with inflation, as it previously stated it would," said the Strangford MLA.

"It is vital the same process is now adopted for the April 2023 benefits rise. Doing so will help people in receipt of universal credit to meet the cost of living, which is rising faster than it ever has in a generation. Currently, many benefit claimants are struggling to meet the soaring costs associated with everyday life.

"It is shameful the UK Government can clarify its support for bankers but not those on the lowest incomes. An urgent announcement is now needed and I urge the Government to do it before more are plunged into poverty."