Trading Standards and The Consumer Council are warning unscrupulous traders to stop exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic to profiteer, or face action. Whilst recognising the efforts of retailers to keep chains open during difficult times, the joint warning comes after complaints from consumers in relation to price gouging. Price gouging or profiteering is the […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The Minister of Health, Robin Swann, has provided an important update on pay for health and social care staff. This included confirmation of pay awards for Agenda for Change employees and an update for doctors and dentists. Agenda for Change is the pay, terms and conditions framework for most health and social care […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
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The Agriculture Minister has written to the Chief Executives of each of the 11 Councils, NIGLA and Arc21, with five key principles to help them decide on any changes to waste services in a response to the Covid-19 emergency. Embed from Getty Images Speaking to Newry Times, Minister Poots said, “I recognise the vital […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
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Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed confirmation that farmers can apply for the UK Government’s Self-employment Income Support Scheme which provides support following the negative impacts of COVID-19. Minister Poots has urged eligible farmers to avail of the funding, which will go some way towards easing the financial difficulties they face. Those farmers […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
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Newry Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said 5G is not being installed in the Newry and Armagh area. Embed from Getty Images Speaking to Newry Times, Mickey Brady said, “We have been contacted by local people who raised concerns over reports that 5G was being installed in the area amid false rumours regarding its […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
Community |
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SDLP Health Committee member Colin McGrath has welcomed a new £6.5m fund to support the care home sector during the COVID-19 crisis. Embed from Getty Images The South Down MLA said that extra resource to protect vulnerable residents is welcome but that a policy of testing every individual should be introduced to identify limited […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
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Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the additional funding and extra protection measures announced for residential and care homes will help ease the concerns of families but said full testing is required across all care homes. Embed from Getty Images Speaking to Newry Times, Colm Gildernew said, “The funding package announced by the […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
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Local charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, in partnership with ten local councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and McDonald’s UK has extended its application criteria for this year’s Live Here Love Here’s Small Grants Scheme to include support for communities struggling during the pandemic. Communities across Northern Ireland can benefit from up to £5,000 of funding […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
Community |
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Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced financial support of up to £17 million for ferry operators to keep supply chains open during the Covid-19 emergency. Embed from Getty Images The financial support package, to be joint funded by the Executive and the Department for Transport, will assist ferry operators who provide critical supply routes […]
Apr 27 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Economy Minister Diane Dodds has launched a new learning resource for furloughed workers and others who have lost their job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Embed from Getty Images The Department for the Economy has partnered with the Open University (OU) to offer a range of free training courses to help people […]
Apr 27 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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