Monthly Archives: September 2016

Beggs welcomes reduction in chimney fires in East Antrim

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs has been provided details of chimney fires attended by the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) over the past three years in response to an Assembly question posed by the East Antrim representative to the Health Minister. Mr Beggs MLA asked the Health Minister  “to detail the number of chimney fires attended by the Fire and rescue Service in each of the last three years.” In the Ministerial response to Roy Beggs it is detailed that the total number of call outs in Northern Ireland have reduced from 1750 in 2013 to 1093 in 2015. Roy Beggs MLA commented saying “It is welcome news that call outs for the NIFRS have reduced by 657 in 3 years in Northern Ireland.  The details provided to me also outline that my constituency of East Antrim has seen a reduction of 24 call outs during the … Continue reading

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More than one in nine in Northern Ireland on DLA as figures reach an all-time high

Nichola Mallon of the SDLP Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs The number of people drawing Disability Living Allowance in Northern Ireland has hit an all-time high, official figures have revealed. One person in every nine is now receiving the benefit. In some areas as many as one in six is on DLA, helping to drive a near £1bn annual bill. The number of DLA recipients as of February this year was 210,260. This has risen by 6,470 since February 2015. It means that in a population of 1.8m, more than one in nine are now receiving the disability benefit. This is compared to just over one in 20 in Britain. A further breakdown across the country shows there are 40,950 claimants in the city of Belfast – nearly 15% of the eligible population. In Derry, there are 15,990 claimants and 12,550 in Lisburn. A breakdown by Assembly constituency shows West Belfast … Continue reading

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Beggs Questions Economy Minister on Caterpillar Job Losses

Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist Party representative for East Antrim has questioned the Economy Minister on the recent announcement that Caterpillar are to close their Monkstown factory, during question time at Stormont. Speaking in the Assembly chamber, Roy Beggs MLA said “The job losses will be devastating for individual families. The losses come on top of previous significant job losses from Caterpillar in 2012, as well as from JTI and Michelin in the neighbouring region.” The Ulster Unionist Party MLA asked for “the Minister to respond to the calls from unions and business organisations and grant the Opposition’s request for a specific manufacturing strategy to ensure that the needs of industry are not overlooked and are addressed so that it remains competitive and cost-effective.”

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Beggs Welcomes Bryson House Fundraising Initiative in Conjunction with Children’s Heartbeat Trust

East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party Assemblyman Roy Beggs MLA has welcomed an initiative from Bryson House Recycling which will see £1 per every Tonne that is recycled, donated to the Children’s Heartbeat Trust. Mr Beggs MLA said “I welcome the partnership between Bryson House Recycling and the Children’s Heartbeat Trust which will see money raised for the charity when we recycle. It’s a great incentive for everyone to increase their recycling at home, which can raise funding for a worthwhile cause.” “I also welcome work that is taking place at Sullatober Recycling Centre, Carrickfergus, which will see facilities improved at the site, thanks to £270,000 of work. In recent times, Larne South Recycling Centre has also been recognised for its high performance recycling by winning the prestigious Manvik Plant and Hite Ltd sponsored trophy.” “It is also heartening to hear that in 2015/2016 the average recycling rates at local centres … Continue reading

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Beggs calls for more specific legislation to combat stalking in NI

Speaking at the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday 12th September, UUP Justice Committee member Roy Beggs MLA took part in a debate on the issue of stalking in Northern Ireland. Mr Beggs MLA said “Stalking is very debilitating for the individual who is at the end of it. It is unsettling; it can be very frightening; it can be a form of terrorism; and it can take over their life. They cannot have a normal life; they never feel at ease. It ought to be taken very seriously, and I am glad that there is unanimity across the Chamber today. Why has Northern Ireland legislation fallen so far behind? It is three years since stalking legislation was introduced in England and Wales and, indeed, in Scotland. For that matter, England is already consulting on further amendments with their 2015 consultation on stalking protection orders. We clearly need to get up … Continue reading

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