Other News In Brief

SDLP Warn Migration Plan Will Impact NI's Health And Social Care Staff

The British government plans to raise the minimum salary for foreign workers will prevent the recruitment of health and social care staff, SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has warned.

Mr McGrath said the Tories were more interested in shoring up their bleak electoral prospects than addressing the issues within the health service.

He said that foreign workers were vital to a number of different sectors and the proposals would have serious consequences for the economy.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "This latest stunt from the Tories to appeal to the worst instincts of the far-right as they make a last-ditch attempt to garner support ahead of the upcoming election will have disastrous consequences for staffing within our health and social care system and other sectors that rely on foreign workers. Following Brexit and the hostile atmosphere that has been created as a result we have seen many skilled workers choose to leave these islands and this move will only make things worse.

"In the North we are already in a situation where we are finding it next to impossible to recruit the health and social care staff we need. Creating barriers to foreign workers coming here will give us an even smaller pool of talent to chose from and is a huge disservice to our talented doctors, nurses, carers and other health staff who have made their home here and care for people in our hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes every single day.

"Health is not the only sector that has hugely benefitted from the contributions of foreign workers. Our manufacturing and agricultural sectors are also hugely reliant on workers from outside Britain and Ireland and an inability to recruit more staff would have a hugely negative impact on these industries and our economy as a whole.

"As usual the Tories are totally deaf to the needs of the North and its people and would think nothing of decimating our workforce to serve their own ends. At a time when our health service is in crisis and crying out for staff this is the last measure we should be considering. The SDLP will be making our opposition to these plans loud and clear at Westminster and will petition the next government to reverse these harmful policies if the Tories are booted from power."

Alliance Welcomes Westminster Report On NI Institutions

The Alliance Party has welcomed a Westminster report on the operations of Northern Ireland's institutions.

North Down MP, Stephen Farry, said the groundswell of support for reform recently had been evidenced by a number of polls, backing the need for evolution of the Good Friday Agreement.

Dr Farry said: "This is a welcome report from the NI Affairs Committee and as a member of that Committee, I was pleased to play a constructive role in deliberations.

"The report is a significant and strong endorsement of reform of the structures and institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. It was always envisaged the Agreement would evolve to meet changing demographics and circumstances, whilst respecting and preserving its underlying principles.

"The past 25 years have demonstrated an underlying instability, unfairness and lack of effectiveness of the institutions. In particular, the institutions have only been operational for 60 per cent of that time. Even if the Assembly and Executive is restored in the near future, the risk of a further collapse remains.

"There is a groundswell of support for reform, as evidenced in opinion polls across the community. Key areas need to be addressed, including Executive formation and sustainability, and changing the designation system and cross-community votes.

"Alliance has consistently called for the use of weighted-majorities free from designations and for a voluntary coalition approach to power-sharing.

"The Committee recommendation for an independently-led comprehensive review is absolutely crucial. In particular, reform will only happen if and when the UK and Irish provide leadership and drive the process."

PSNI Testifying To Covid Inquiry Welcomes By DUP

The DUP has welcomed the calling of the PSNI to give evidence to the national Covid inquiry.

DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson said: "It is right that the PSNI have been called to give evidence to the national Covid inquiry. The contrast between how the the Black Lives Matter protests were handled and the funeral of Bobby Storey are stark.

"It wasn't just that the PSNI took a hands-off approach on the day of the funeral, but the fact that police, whether inadvertently or otherwise, provided Sinn Fein with a defence form prosecution for an event which included a mass political rally in Milltown Cemetery.

"There are significant questions for both the PSNI and Sinn Fein arising out of Covid and hopefully the Inquiry will shine a light onto these important issues."