Other News In Brief

DUP Calls For Wider Strategic Action In The North-West

The DUP has called for wider strategic action on the North-West to further boost the local economy following the new of new flights between L'Derry Airport and London.

Gary Middleton MLA said: "The connectivity provided by our local Airport is crucial to the North West region, and particularly our links with the rest of the UK. Whilst Stansted provided an important link to London, direct flights to Heathrow can realise much greater potential with connections worldwide.

"I met the management of the airport recently alongside Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and colleagues. It was following that meeting we took the initiative and secured cross-party support for the route. With flights beginning on 6th May, it is important that this is just the first step in continued regeneration for the region and boosting the local economy.

"The Government's subsidy of the Londonderry to London route is hugely important and will hopefully be followed by more action to demonstrate the importance of 'levelling up' right across all parts of the UK. Last year I called for the opportunities that exist in the region, not just through the Airport and Foyle Port but the underutilised land bank at Ballykelly and the Enterprise Zone in Coleraine. The location of a Freeport/Enterprise Zone in the North West could be the catalyst for strategic regional action boosting the local economy.

"The North West is amongst the most disadvantaged regions, not just in Northern Ireland, but the UK as a whole. The announcement of the new Heathrow air link is another welcome step forward, but it needs to be a springboard for a more radical approach."

Executive Needed To Tackle Autism Diagnosis Waiting lists

An Executive is needed to tackle chronic and unacceptable waiting lists for an autism diagnosis, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said.

The party's health spokesperson said: "It's unacceptable that an important strategy to progress support for people with autism is being held up by the lack of a functioning Executive.

"Children and adults are suffering for years on chronic waiting lists for a diagnosis and that needs urgently addressed to ensure they have maximum support.

"I have listened to families and support organisations who are crying out for better access to services to give relief to their children and loved ones with autism.

"We need the Executive restored now to end the suffering of children and adults who are waiting for an autism diagnosis and implement the autism strategy quickly."

OU Opens Next Phase Of Free Courses In Skill Up Initiative

The next phase of free courses delivered through the Open University's Skill Up Initiative with the Department for the Economy has opened for enrolment.

Hundreds of fully funded places are available across 27 courses with registration closing on 8 September.

Applicants can save up to £3,200 with a postgraduate or microcredential course funded through the Department for the Economy's funding.

Postgraduate courses provide skills and knowledge that can bring real-life benefits to you and your career and those of your employees. Microcredential, short courses are designed to help you quickly build in-demand career skills and knowledge to stay up to date and get ahead.

All courses offer flexible online study options that allow applicants to work at the same time as they learn.

Courses cover a range of science, technology, engineering, and maths, computing, and leadership courses including Data Management, AWS: Solutions Architect, Entrepreneurship in Context, Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability, a range of Cisco courses and much more.

Zoey Hughes, who runs her own business, studied Business Management: Marketing Principles and Practice microcredential said: "I'm always looking to further my skills for personal and professional reasons and jumped at the chance to get such a great course fully funded. I have gained further knowledge in an area that is required for my career. It was so interesting and really excited me to carry on studying in the future."