Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Gary Burns claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £4,823 while failing to declare employment. He was given a two month sentence suspended for 18 months.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Work Continues To Restore Power In Less Than 50 Homes And Businesses In NI

NIE Networks is continuing to carry out repair work on less than 50 homes and businesses in the South and East of Northern Ireland who remain without power following Storm Ophelia.

The remaining 11 faults require significant work and resources involving tree cutting, excavation and reinstatement, traffic management and overhead lines teams.

Sara McClintock, Communications Manager at NIE Networks, said: "We are grateful for the patience of all of the customers who lost power due to Storm Ophelia. Her strong gusts, combined with trees still in leaf, caused considerable damage to the electricity network and left us with faults which were time consuming and labour intensive to repair."

NI People Being Let Down By Universal Credit Roll Out - Alliance

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said people in Northern Ireland are being let down when it comes to universal credit roll out, with no Minister in place to take key decisions.

Speaking after the DUP abstained on the issue during a crucial debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Kellie Armstrong again called for the suspension of the roll out of universal credit in Northern Ireland.

Kellie Armstrong said: "This week was another example of how the voices of the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland are going unheard. With the DUP continually talking up their close relationship with the Government, you can never be sure if they will act in the best interests of everyone or what best suits their own party.

"Yet while the DUP might believe they have the ear of the Government and are doing their best for people here, actions speak louder than words. The DUP would be better placed to get back around the table, get the deal done, letting a Minister move forward in challenging the many concerns around universal credit."

(CD/MH)