Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Rosaleen Mongan claimed Pension Credit totalling £2,252 she was not entitled to. She was given a one month custodial sentence suspended for one year.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department.

Lidl To Open New Store In South Belfast

Retailer Lidl has announced it is to open a new store at a site in south Belfast.

The building will be developed at the former Carryduff Centre site and the store is to officially open on 19 July this year.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council approved the redevelopment plans in May last year.

Green Party representative Simon Lee welcomed the announcement.

He said: "The Carryduff Centre has lain virtually vacant for the last couple of years, apart from a handful of businesses in the adjoined mews, and has become something of an eyesore.

"Given that there is no visible evidence of any work having commenced, many local residents have expressed concerns to me that the redevelopment may have stalled or been postponed.

"I have now contacted the developers and LIDL directly, and I am delighted to say that LIDL have confirmed that they are aiming to open the Carryduff store on July 19 2018.

"This new store will massively boost the town's economy, and provide local access to food and provisions that have been unavailable for a number of years."

Call For Sugar Tax Revenues To Be Spent On Schools

SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA, has raised the issue of sugar tax with senior Departmental Officials demanding that it be ring-fenced and spent directly on tackling obesity and diabetes.

The Foyle MLA said: "I have been able to ascertain from the Permanent Secretary that, following its introduction in April 2018, it is estimated that the Sugar Tax will generate revenue of between 12 and 14 million pounds in the next financial year.

"We are all well aware of the massive and growing pressures in our health service. My fear is that this money may be sucked into the black hole of the Departments finances rather than spent on tackling the issue it was specifically designed to combat.

"The pressures on our health system can only be alleviated by us keeping people healthier and reducing their dependency on healthcare. Nowhere near enough is spent here on health awareness promotion and preventative measures, but now we have an opportunity to get more to do just that."

(CD)