Other News In Brief

UUP Welcomes Major Jobs Announcement

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed the news of 1,000 new jobs in Northern Ireland and renewed their call for the restoration of Stormont.

The party's Economy spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt, said: "On the one hand, this EY announcement is a wonderful affirmation of our economic eco system, not least the flow of high-quality graduates emerging from our universities. And it is far from a one-off. In a single generation, professional services organisations like EY, PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, BDO and others have invested heavily in their NI operations.

"On the other hand, this should sound a warning siren to those who refuse to allow a working devolved government. It is clear to me from recent discussions with business leaders that stable government is a desirable only, not an essential. Yes, they would all like to see Stormont back up and running, but business is not prepared to wait. It cannot, given there are wages to be paid on a Friday, invoices to be paid at month's end, and decisions to be made on a daily basis. Devolved politics is in grave danger of becoming irrelevant to the business community.

"The Ulster Unionist Party congratulates EY on a wise and significant business decision to invest in Northern Ireland and encourages the entire business community to stand strong and united in calling for politicians to stop being the major negative when investment decisions are under consideration."

'Right To Food' Rally At Belfast City Hall On Saturday 23 September

A 'Right To Food' rally has been announced for Saturday 23 September at Belfast City Hall, organised by Foodstock founder Paul Doherty.

Mr Doherty has been working with Labour Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, who started the campaign around making access to food a legal right for all.

SDLP West Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty said: "As someone who sees first-hand the struggle that faces many families in west Belfast and right across our city to put food on the table, it's more important than ever that we come together for this rally in the heart of Belfast to support the Right To Food campaign. Too many children are going to school hungry, parents are being forced to skip meals and older people are left alone and suffering in silence. We need to send a clear message to the British government and those impeding progress here that we will not allow this to continue.

"Through my work in the community with Foodstock I have been working with Labour MP Ian Byrne who has made real progress in tackling poverty in his area. Community and voluntary groups do tremendous work supporting those who need it most but with the cost of living and constant price increases more and more groups are struggling to keep up with the demand. It's long past time that politicians listened to the needs of the people they represent and drive change that improve people's lives.

"Nobody should be struggling to get the food they need, access to food is a basic human right and that's they key message of the Right To Food campaign. We are calling for a number of measures to address food poverty across Britain and the North including legislation both at Stormont and Westminster that will ensure food security, universal free school meals and greater support for community kitchens. These steps would improve the lives of millions of families across these islands resulting in better physical and mental health outcomes, reduced crime and alleviated poverty.

"I am calling on everyone who wants to eliminate the scourge of food poverty to join us at Belfast City Hall on September 23rd. Belfast needs to come together and give a voice to those who are being continually let down by government policy around access to food and it's an absolute disgrace that so many people are being left in a desperate situation without the proper support."

Ballycastle Roadworks To Begin On Monday 18 September

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced a programme of roadworks in Ballycastle will get underway on Monday, 18 September.

The carriageway resurfacing scheme on the B67 Moyarget Road will extend for approximately 1 km and will improve the strength and surface quality of the road.

To facilitate the works, it will be necessary to implement a road closure, between the hours of 7.30 am and 6.00 pm, from Monday 18 September 2023 until Saturday 30 September 2023. During these times, a signed diversionary route will be in place via:  Castlecatt Road, Straid Road, Church Street, Ballycastle and vice versa.

A secondary diversion will also be in operation, to facilitate subsidiary routes beyond the main diversion, via Carrowreagh Road, Main Street, Armoy, A44 Hillside Road/Magheramore Road and vice versa.

Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times. The Department has carefully planned these road works and associated traffic management arrangements in order to minimise inconvenience to the public. Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the alternative routes which will be clearly signed on the approaches to the closure.

Completion of the work by 30 September 2023 is dependent on favourable weather conditions. The Department will keep the public informed of any change. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.