Other News In Brief

Work To Start On Carriageway Resurfacing Scheme In Kircubbin

Work is to commence on a carriageway resurfacing scheme in Kircubbin.

The work on the A20 Shore Road, Main Street and Cooks Brae, will start on Sunday, 30 July.

The resurfacing scheme will involve the asphalt resurfacing of a one kilometre stretch of the A20 in Kircubbin from 100m north of Blackhall Street to 100m north of Rubane Road junction.

The work will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this section of the road network to the benefit of residents, businesses and those travelling through Kircubbin and is expected to be completed by Friday 11 August 2023.

To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement overnight road closures between the Rubane Road junction and Inishargy Road junction from 7pm to 6am from Sunday 30 July 2023 through to Friday 11 August 2023. The road will be open to traffic during the day.

During the closure times there will be a signed diversionary route via Greyabbey, Ballywalter, Ballyhalbert, Portavogie, Cloughey and vice versa.

Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained, however some minor delays may be experienced.

Treasury Must Step In To Enable Wage Increase - DUP

DUP Finance spokesman in Westminster and East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has welcomed the Government decision to accept the Pay Review Bodies’ recommendations but has warned that unless the Treasury steps in there will not be enough money to pay for the increase in Northern Ireland.

Mr Wilson said: "The headlines look good, but the reality will be different for teachers and police officers in Northern Ireland unless the Treasury changes course. This is not a question of Stormont or no Stormont, the core issue is that we are underfunded.

"Whilst Northern Ireland should have received a Barnett Consequential from the spending in England and Wales on public sector wage increases, the Secretary of State has already announced that any Barnett funding will be used to pay down the overspend in Northern Ireland last year.

"Especially at lower levels, our teachers and police officers are massively underpaid compared to their counterparts across the UK. This wage increase was deserved but unless Treasury recognises that the Barnett Formula has been consistently failing Northern Ireland, there will not be enough money to make these pay awards.

"The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council has produced several reports over recent months where they map out why Northern Ireland must arrest this spending gap. Whilst we have been falling behind in the amount available for public services, this is set to squeeze us even more dramatically in future years.

"We will be pressing the Prime Minister and the Chancellor on this matter. Despite the rhetoric of some, if Stormont was restored tomorrow, a local Finance Minister simply would not have the money available to make these pay awards without massively reducing the public sector headcount."

Call For DUP To Get Back To Work

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said the DUP need to end their blockade of the Executive and get back to work.

Responding to comments by the British Secretary of State, the North Belfast MP said there must be ‘no more delays' in restoring the Assembly and Executive and called on the British Government to end its cycle of savage cuts.

Mr Finucane said: "It's now 18 months since the DUP collapsed the political institutions, and, frankly, patience has run out. The DUP need to end their reckless blockade of the Executive and get back to work immediately.

"The actions of this one party have abandoned our health service, our schools and our community services to merciless Tory cuts.

"Rather than confronting the political and economic vandalism of DUP, the Tory government in London is punishing ordinary families, workers and businesses.

"Restoring the Executive is the only defence our community has against Tory austerity. That must be the collective priority. No more excuses. No more delays. Sinn Féin is ready to work with others today to restore the Executive."