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.

Una Hannon claimed Income Support and Rates totalling £9,526 while failing to declare capital. She was given 120 hours community service.

Ms Hannon has since repaid the money in full she wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Go-Ahead Given To Revised Plans For Belfast's Biggest Hotel

The go-ahead has been given to revised plans for Belfast's biggest and tallest hotel.

Planning permission had previously been granted for the conversion of the former Windsor House into the Grand Central Hotel, with 200 bedrooms plus serviced apartments and offices.

The revised plans will see the hotel expanding to 304 rooms.

Councillor Johnston said: "The development of the Grand Central is very much a cornerstone of the regeneration of this part of the city centre in general and the Linen Quarter in particular. With the construction of two brand new hotels, in Brunswick Street and Hope Street already well underway, these developments, along with others for which we already have granted planning permission, are providing valuable jobs in our construction, tourism and hospitality industries, as well as meeting the needs of our expanding city centre, as laid out in the Belfast Agenda."

Drop In NI Unemployment

Unemployment in Northern Ireland has dropped, according to the latest figures.

The Labour Market Statistics revealed that 300 people came off the register in March.

The unemployment rate in NI also fell to 5.2%, which is still above the UK average.

The jobless total now stands at 31,500.

(CD)