Other News In Brief

Council Supports Fire Vigilance Appeal

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council's Home Safety Team are backing calls for increased vigilance in homes to prevent fire tragedies.

The community fire vigilance appeal is part of North South Fire Safety Week 2023.

Statistics from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) show that seven of the 10 people who tragically lost their lives in accidental house fires in 2022 were known to other agencies.

These statistics have encouraged NIFRS to reach out to those working in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors to provide them with additional support to help keep people safe from fire in their home.

Aidan Jennings, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, said: "Our partner agencies and caring professionals are the eyes and ears’ for us in the community. They work incredibly hard and play an invaluable part in helping NIFRS keep those most at risk in our community safe from fire.

"This Fire Safety Week we are reconnecting with all our partners to explore what additional support we can offer them to help be fire aware. We are also asking others who work closely with those most at risk in our community to consider becoming one of our partners.

"There is real value in understanding how to deal with risky behaviours around smoking, cooking, electrical safety and having a clear fire escape plan whilst also ensuring the person at risk can live comfortably at home.

"We want to deliver the best support we can to our partners and our community by providing help and guidance to keep people safe."

Mr Jennings encourages those who are eligible to avail of a Free Home Fire Safety Check to do so this winter.

Alliance Unveils New Childcare Proposals

The Alliance Party has launched launched new proposals for the provision of childcare in Northern Ireland.

The party's Early Years and Childcare spokesperson, Kate Nicholl, said that the concept of 30 free hours of childcare has failed to deliver for parents.

Speaking as she unveiled 'Children First', which outlines Alliance's plans for an affordable childcare scheme in Northern Ireland. It would significantly reduce costs for parents, whilst driving up the quality of childcare provision and making the sector more sustainable.

The South Belfast MLA said: "The idea of 30 free hours of childcare, a policy championed by the Conservatives at a national level and the DUP and others locally, has failed to deliver for families and providers in England. If implementing failing Tory policy is the best we can do for families and children in Northern Ireland, something has gone seriously wrong.

"Alliance's proposals for an affordable childcare scheme would deliver a practical and child-centred solution to the current crisis, with reduced costs for parents and more support for childcare providers. We need to be ambitious for our children and families. Alliance will deliver affordable, quality, flexible, child-centred care, with core-funding paid directly to providers as the best way to promote a system that's flexible and available to all.

"Not only will this ensure children are placed at the heart of the system, but will increase the quality of childcare provision as staff are upskilled through enhanced training and qualifications, bolstering the sector.

"We are confident this document can act as a blueprint for an incoming Executive, which if restored and reformed, can begin to deliver quality childcare for all children."

Belfast Backs SDLP Motion To Become 'Right To Food' City

Belfast has become a 'Right to Food' city, as Belfast City Council approves a motion brought forward by the SDLP.

SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty brought a motion before the council proposing they join cities like Liverpool and Manchester in recognising the food poverty that exists and calling on governments across the North and Britain to tackle the issue.

The Right To Food campaign was started by Labour MP Ian Byrne and has gained the support of over 25 cities and towns.

Councillor Doherty said: "Through my work in the community with Foodstock over the last few years I have seen the extent to which families are suffering because of the widespread food poverty that exists across Belfast and the North as a whole. Behind closed doors there are many families without enough to eat, parents skipping meals and children going hungry. So many people are struggling to keep their heads above water.

"When considering my first motion to bring before council I knew that I had to do something that highlights the huge issues around access to food, while calling on those in power to act. I will explore every avenue which council has available to support people, but the reality is that the real power lies at Stormont and Westminster, they are the ones who can put policies in place to eradicate food poverty and change people's lives for the better.

"Tonight's vote by councillors to recognise Belfast as a Right To Food city sends a powerful message of solidarity. Ian Byrne's work with the Right To Food campaign has been remarkable and it is spreading to towns and cities across these islands as more and more people wake up to what is happening in our communities.

"The demands of the campaign are simple, we want to see everyone having access to the food they need, with that right enshrined in law. We need funding for community kitchens, universal free school meals and holiday meal payments and other initiatives that ensure nobody goes hungry in this day and age. I'm proud that Belfast has joined the likes of Liverpool and Manchester as a Right To Food city and I will keep working to shine a spotlight on these issues and secure action for the people who need it most."