Other News In Brief

Boutcher Welcomes Justice Minister's New Budget Plan

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has welcomed the announcement of Justice Minister Naomi Long's new Budget Plan.

Highlight how the budget plan would mean the Police Service's full funding gap will be met, Mr Boucther said: "I am very grateful to the Justice Minister for her decision to prioritise support for policing. This is great news for the Police Service - it provides financial certainty this year and will allow us to stabilise and maintain Service levels to the public. However, we need to see the security of sufficient, sustainable funding continued into next year as we enter a much needed period of recovery for the PSNI. We will continue to work with the Department of Justice to develop a business case to recover officer and staff numbers to 7,000 and 2,572 respectively over the next three years. I am particularly pleased that this announcement will enable progress to be made on this year's pay award for officers."

SDLP Criticised 'Repeated Failures' To Address Rising Fuel Poverty

The SDLP has criticised the Executive over "repeated failures" to address rising fuel poverty.

MLA Mark H Durkan made the criticism after it was confirmed that a delayed winter fuel support scheme for pensioner households excluded from the Winter Fuel Payment, which won't be paid until March 2025.

Speaking following a statement from the Minister for Communities to the Assembly, Mr Durkan said: "While any financial support is welcome, I am deeply concerned that this payment will arrive too late for many pensioners. At this stage, we're talking spring fuel support rather than winter.

"It's particularly galling that this week, with wintry weather and cold spells on the horizon, that our elderly and arguably most vulnerable cohort, is being told they could be waiting four months before support is available. The Minister said he recognised the need to get this money paid out as quickly as possible but that contradicts what we've been told today. It's taken two and a half months for him to announce a one-off hardship payment which at £100 falls far short of what pensioners would have received under the traditional Winter Fuel Payment. People are essentially waiting longer to be paid less. We also cannot forget the fact that the Minister chose to follow Westminster in implementing cuts to winter fuel in the first place. The SDLP opposed these cuts at Westminster and in the Assembly. "Today's announcement of a one-off payment fails to address the long-term needs of those excluded from the Winter Fuel Payment. While Minister Lyons points fingers elsewhere, the reality is that successive Communities Ministers and his Executive colleagues have consistently neglected to tackle deepening fuel poverty. This is not just about a single payment but rather the absence of a comprehensive plan to support struggling households being plunged further into poverty.

"The absence of an Anti-Poverty Strategy and the lack of effective measures to combat poverty highlight a worrying disregard for those struggling to make ends meet. This strategy has been presented as a panacea but we've waited over 20 years to see it enacted. The Minister and the Executive need to take responsibility for the decisions they make, decisions, which I fear, will leave many out in the cold this winter."

Alliance Urges UK Govt To 'Reassess' So-Called Farm Tax

The Alliance Party has reiterated their call on the UK Government to reassess changes to Inheritance Tax Agricultural Property Relief (APR) announced in the Autumn Budget.

Speaking ahead of an Ulster Farmer's Union Rally opposing the 'Family Farm Tax', DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA said: "The anger and worry about these changes to inheritance tax has been visible, and the UK Government has clearly failed to grasp how serious the impact on family farms in Northern Ireland will be.

"Since the Treasury's announcement, I have been unequivocal in my conversations with the UK Government that the budget is bad for farmers. I raised my concerns with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland days after the budget announcement and again today when meeting DEFRA Minister Daniel Zeichner MP. I want to assure farmers that I have their backs on this. The UK Government needs to do the right thing and reverse its farm tax now.

"I am glad that following work between myself and the Finance Minister, a letter has been sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer emphasising the disproportionate impact that the introduction of a £1 million threshold for APR will have on farming communities in Northern Ireland and urging her to reconsider the decision, co-signed by me, the Finance Minister and the First and deputy First Ministers.

"Additionally, I have been in discussions with the Finance Minister about the need for ring-fenced funding for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries and rural development. We must retain a dedicated budget if we are to support these vital industries and continue good work on improving our environment.

"As DAERA Minister, I am determined to do everything within my powers to work with others to build a better future for farmers in Northern Ireland."