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20/03/2025
SDLP Reiterates Call For Govt To Stop Welfare Cuts
The SDLP has reiterated its call for the UK Government to "not go ahead" with its planned cuts to welfare support.
Speaking following an announcement from Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, party leader, Claire Hanna MP, said: "While acknowledging flaws in the system, it is clear that planned changes to welfare support announced by the UK Government today are going to have terrible outcomes for so many people here.
"This announcement and the briefings ahead of it have created a wave of worry for people who fear having vital support stripped away. Any reforms need to be planned, targeted and aligned with improvements to public services - not front loaded for a quick savings hit to fit with a fairly arbitrary fiscal straight jacket.
"We also need to see the Executive showing leadership on this issue. Welfare policy is devolved and while these changes will leave a considerable financial hole to fill, that does not mean Ministers cannot be working to put some mitigations in place and engaging with the UK Government to protect people in Northern Ireland. The SDLP will continue to stand up for those worst affected by these devastating cuts and work with others to find solutions."
Speaking following an announcement from Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, party leader, Claire Hanna MP, said: "While acknowledging flaws in the system, it is clear that planned changes to welfare support announced by the UK Government today are going to have terrible outcomes for so many people here.
"We also need to see the Executive showing leadership on this issue. Welfare policy is devolved and while these changes will leave a considerable financial hole to fill, that does not mean Ministers cannot be working to put some mitigations in place and engaging with the UK Government to protect people in Northern Ireland. The SDLP will continue to stand up for those worst affected by these devastating cuts and work with others to find solutions."
Latest Northern Ireland News
21 March 2025
Belfast Sports Leaders Join Campaign To End Gendered Violence
Leading figures from local sports organisations will convene at the Titanic Hotel this Sunday, 23 March, to discuss their role in creating safer environments for women and girls.
Belfast Sports Leaders Join Campaign To End Gendered Violence
Leading figures from local sports organisations will convene at the Titanic Hotel this Sunday, 23 March, to discuss their role in creating safer environments for women and girls.
21 March 2025
Renewed Appeal For Information After Fatal Dungannon Collision
Detectives from the PSNI Collision Investigation Unit have issued a renewed appeal for information following a fatal road traffic collision in Dungannon. Detective Sergeant Braiden stated: "At approximately 10.50pm on Tuesday 04 March, a report was received that a black Peugeot 207 had been involved in a collision.
Renewed Appeal For Information After Fatal Dungannon Collision
Detectives from the PSNI Collision Investigation Unit have issued a renewed appeal for information following a fatal road traffic collision in Dungannon. Detective Sergeant Braiden stated: "At approximately 10.50pm on Tuesday 04 March, a report was received that a black Peugeot 207 had been involved in a collision.
21 March 2025
£153m Funding Boost For Co-Ownership To Help 4,000 Households
Housing Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £153 million investment in Financial Transactions Capital funding for Co-Ownership, aimed at assisting 4,000 households to purchase their own homes over the next four years, with 1,200 of those being new builds.
£153m Funding Boost For Co-Ownership To Help 4,000 Households
Housing Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £153 million investment in Financial Transactions Capital funding for Co-Ownership, aimed at assisting 4,000 households to purchase their own homes over the next four years, with 1,200 of those being new builds.
21 March 2025
Belfast Man Jailed For Indecent Assaults
A Belfast man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for two counts of indecent assault on a female. William Sale (50) appeared before Belfast Crown Court at Laganside on Thursday, 20 March, where he also received a five-year restraining order and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.
Belfast Man Jailed For Indecent Assaults
A Belfast man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for two counts of indecent assault on a female. William Sale (50) appeared before Belfast Crown Court at Laganside on Thursday, 20 March, where he also received a five-year restraining order and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.
21 March 2025
Sinn Féin To Host Irish Unity Conference In European Parliament
Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, in collaboration with the Commission on the Future of Ireland, will host a conference on Irish Unity at the European Parliament on Tuesday, 08 April.
Sinn Féin To Host Irish Unity Conference In European Parliament
Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, in collaboration with the Commission on the Future of Ireland, will host a conference on Irish Unity at the European Parliament on Tuesday, 08 April.
21 March 2025
Junior Ministers Promote NI At Brussels St. Patrick's Day Event
Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron hosted over 200 guests at the 'Ulster Fry for St Patrick's Day' breakfast networking event at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (ONIEB).
Junior Ministers Promote NI At Brussels St. Patrick's Day Event
Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron hosted over 200 guests at the 'Ulster Fry for St Patrick's Day' breakfast networking event at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (ONIEB).
21 March 2025
NI Embraces Slow Living: A Growing Trend Towards Mindful Well-Being
In recent years, the concept of "slow living" has been gaining popularity around the world, with Northern Ireland emerging as one of the places where this mindful lifestyle is being embraced more wholeheartedly. Slow living is all about slowing down, reconnecting with what truly matters, and living with intention.
NI Embraces Slow Living: A Growing Trend Towards Mindful Well-Being
In recent years, the concept of "slow living" has been gaining popularity around the world, with Northern Ireland emerging as one of the places where this mindful lifestyle is being embraced more wholeheartedly. Slow living is all about slowing down, reconnecting with what truly matters, and living with intention.
21 March 2025
Other News In Brief
Executive Launches Video To Promote Ethnic Equality Monitoring The Northern Ireland Executive has launched a video outlining its commitment to ethnic equality monitoring.
Other News In Brief
Executive Launches Video To Promote Ethnic Equality Monitoring The Northern Ireland Executive has launched a video outlining its commitment to ethnic equality monitoring.
20 March 2025
PSNI Joins National Crackdown On Fraud
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Economic Crime Unit have participated in Operation Henhouse, a UK-wide initiative aimed at tackling fraud. The two-month campaign, coordinated by the National Economic Crime Centre and City of London Police, saw intensified efforts across the UK throughout January and February.
PSNI Joins National Crackdown On Fraud
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Economic Crime Unit have participated in Operation Henhouse, a UK-wide initiative aimed at tackling fraud. The two-month campaign, coordinated by the National Economic Crime Centre and City of London Police, saw intensified efforts across the UK throughout January and February.
20 March 2025
Five Men Jailed For Murder Of Ian Ogle In East Belfast
Five men have been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today for the murder of 45-year-old Ian Ogle, who was attacked in east Belfast in January 2019.
Five Men Jailed For Murder Of Ian Ogle In East Belfast
Five men have been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today for the murder of 45-year-old Ian Ogle, who was attacked in east Belfast in January 2019.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
