Other News In Brief

UUP Calls for Action On MoT Waiting Lists

John Stewart MLA, the Ulster Unionist Infrastructure spokesperson, has called for action on the MoT backlog as motorists are being told the next date available as of this week is November 2023.

Mr Stewart MLA commented: "The MoT backlog has been no surprise to anyone. We have been facing these issues since January 2020 after inspections of lift faults in 48 out of 55 test centres discovered a lack of "sufficient assurance" on the effectiveness of ongoing repairs. This was followed by the closure of MoT centres during the Covid-19 pandemic. From January 2019 to January 2020, just under one million tests were carried out across Northern Ireland, but less than 200,000 tests were carried out the following year. A backlog was expected during this timeframe, but despite a record 506,000 tests carried out between September 2022 and February 2023, there are still extensive delays in MoT inspections.

"The MoT test system is essential to uphold the public safety and roadworthiness of vehicles across Northern Ireland, but the backlog is now resulting in some members of the public facing untaxed vehicle fines from being unable to tax their vehicles due to not having an MoT test carried out.

"Ulster Unionists call for a Temporary Exemption Certificate, which has been used at the height of the pandemic, to be reused again to allow backlogs to be cleared and fines to be appealed. This is yet another reason that supports the UUP’s call for the Assembly and Executive to be immediately restored and working for the benefit of the people in Northern Ireland."

Govt Urged To Remove VAT On Specific School Uniform Items

DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has urged the Government to remove VAT on specific school uniform items as costs are becoming an extortionate tax on parents with school age children.

Mr Wilson said: "The cost of school uniform items can be extortionate and unaffordable with post-primary uniforms costing an average of £378 per pupil. This cost accumulates hastily for families with multiple children, with a two post-primary child household having to spend nearly £800 on school uniform alone.

"School uniforms are like a tax on people and they cause both financial difficulties and unnecessary concern to many families across Northern Ireland, with one third of parents getting into debt each year when buying school uniforms.

"Schools also have a duty to not allow monopolies to develop. They should not be instructing parents to only buy from a specified supplier or a certain brand and thereby giving suppliers the ability to demand high prices for school uniforms. The price of school-specific uniforms should not become a barrier for children to attend the school of their choice.

"Currently, under VAT rules, school uniforms, for young children who are less than 14 years of age, attract a zero-rate of VAT. On the 6th July I tabled a question to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to remove VAT on school-specific uniforms in the UK. In his response, the Chancellor stated that there are no current plans to extend the existing zero rate.

"I urge the Government to recognise the extortionate price of school uniform and to implement an extension of the zero rate or to introduce a price cap on the price of school specific uniforms to support our families and children within Northern Ireland and the UK."

Alliance Condemns Those Behind Pipe Bomb Attack

Alliance Belfast Councillor David Bell has condemned those behind a pipe bomb attack in East Belfast.

Residents on Hyndford Street in East Belfast were evacuated from their homes following a pipe bomb explosion at around 8:20 pm on Tuesday, 01 August.

"Those behind this attack have shown no regard for human life," said the Titanic Councillor.

"This bomb could have caused serious damage, particularly as it was in a built-up area. It has also caused great disruption to the residents who were evacuated from their homes. Those behind this incident must be wholly condemned.

"I urge anyone with any information to please contact the PSNI as soon as possible, so that the perpetrators behind this can be brought to justice."