Monthly Archives: October 2015

Sammy Wilson is to step down from Northern Ireland Assembly but wil remain as MP at Westminster DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has announced that he is to step down as an Assembly member. ‘; } s += ‘ Ads by Google ‘; if (google_ads[0].bidtype == “CPC”) { google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } s += ‘ ‘; document.write(s); return; } window.google_adnum = window.google_adnum || null; google_ad_client = “ca-pub-1729148518344007”; google_ad_output = “js”; google_ad_type = “text”; google_ad_channel = ‘2905088926+3455374145’; google_max_num_ads = ‘2’; google_skip = window.google_adnum; /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ The DUP said in a statement that it has commenced the process within the party to appoint a replacement and that this will be announced in due course. Sammy Wilson said: “It has been an honour to represent the people of East Antrim in the Assembly since 2003.  Of course I will continue to serve the … Continue reading →

New MLA: Gordon Lyons A DUP councillor is quitting the seat he took up in May to become Northern Ireland’s newest MLA. ‘; } s += ‘ Ads by Google ‘; if (google_ads[0].bidtype == “CPC”) { google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } s += ‘ ‘; document.write(s); return; } window.google_adnum = window.google_adnum || null; google_ad_client = “ca-pub-1729148518344007”; google_ad_output = “js”; google_ad_type = “text”; google_ad_channel = ‘2905088926+3455374145’; google_max_num_ads = ‘2’; google_skip = window.google_adnum; /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ Gordon Lyons is replacing ex-Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, who is standing down to focus on his role as East Antrim MP. And with legislation banning double-jobbing from next year, Mr Lyons must in turn give up the Coast Road seat on Mid and East Antrim Council he won in May. The Assembly has a system of co-options, designed to avoid expensive and potentially politically damaging by-elections. Mr Lyons, who … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs (C) Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Due to the significant levels of metal theft, Ulster Unionist politician Roy Beggs, introduced his Scrap Metal Dealers Bill in the Assembly this week. ‘; } s += ‘ Ads by Google ‘; if (google_ads[0].bidtype == “CPC”) { google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } s += ‘ ‘; document.write(s); return; } window.google_adnum = window.google_adnum || null; google_ad_client = “ca-pub-1729148518344007”; google_ad_output = “js”; google_ad_type = “text”; google_ad_channel = ‘2905088926+3455374145’; google_max_num_ads = ‘2’; google_skip = window.google_adnum; /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ Since metal theft has resulted in huge costs to local residents and businesses, the Bill is designed to increase the traceability of stolen metal received by scrap metal dealers. The theft of metal from Greenisland Primary School and Downshire School cost the previous North-Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) more than £45,000 in nine months. According … Continue reading →

Sinn Fein has come to the defence of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), after the News Letter presented figures showing the growing cost of the benefit. While the two main unionist parties voiced surprise or suspicion over the growing numbers of claims, Sinn Fein opted to attack the News Letter for running an opinion piece which criticised the rise. It comes after the paper published a detailed analysis of the numbers on Monday, showing that DLA claimants increased by at least 21,700 since planned reforms were unveiled in 2010 – taking the figure to 207,800 at the end of August this year (or 11.3 per cent of the Province’s population – roughly twice the rate of the rest of the UK). The annual spending on DLA grew by more than £200m from 2010/11 and 2014/15, to reach £956m. Asked whether the figures show scope for reform in the system, Sinn Fein’s … Continue reading →