Overend Backs No Smoking Day

Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster is encouraging thousands of smokers in the Mid-Ulster to 'swap fags for swag' by quitting on No Smoking Day, today Wednesday 13 March.

Sandra Overend is supporting the annual UK wide health campaign, co-ordinated locally by British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agency which shows how smokers could treat themselves to all sorts of ‘swag’ if they quit for a day saving (£11), a week (£78), a month (£336) and a year (£4,090). (1)

Mrs Overend said: "Stopping smoking is not only one of the best things you can do to boost your health but it’s great for your bank balance as well. Quitting can be difficult, but there is lots of local support available and working out what you could afford to buy is a great motivator. I’d encourage everyone in Mid-Ulster to give it a go and join thousands of others trying to quit on the day."

Ford Announces Proposals To Amend The Law On Live Links

Justice Minister David Ford has launched a consultation on further use of video links within courts.
 The proposals are to amend the law on live links in relation to remand and bail hearings held at weekend courts to provide more effective arrangements.

The provisions are part of the Justice Minister's agenda to reduce delay and increase the efficiency of the justice system.

Mr Ford said: "Delivery of a faster, fairer justice system is a core aim of my Department and work to provide an efficient and effective justice system is a top priority.  

"Frequently at weekends, when a person is charged with an offence, several courts need to be convened at different locations across Northern Ireland for remand purposes.  

"I want to consider a single court to sit at a centralised location connected to feeder locations by live video link.  This would allow cases from across Northern Ireland to be considered by a single judge.

"A more timely and efficient process would be delivered with the potential for significant savings in terms of police time and court costs."

Call For Osborne To Cancel Hike In Fuel Duty

SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie has called on George Osborne to cancel the proposed hike in fuel duty at next week's budget.

Ms. Ritchie stated: "Since the beginning of the year petrol has gone up in price by about 8p and diesel by 6.5p. It is imperative that a further punitive rise in duty is cancelled by the UK Chancellor. In Northern Ireland we already pay the highest prices in the UK and some of the highest prices in Europe for our petrol, especially diesel, and a further rise would be unacceptable.

"It is estimated that families are spending up to a quarter of their income on fuel and those facing a strain on living standards with stretched budgets should not bear the brunt of another duty hike. Whether it’s a young person who needs their car to travel to work or an elderly person who relies on their car to visit friends and relatives, it is essential that people do face social and economic isolation because they cannot afford to put fuel in their car."

(CD)