Other News In Brief

Rise In Child Poverty Described As 'Shameful'

SDLP Deputy Leader Nichola Mallon MLA has described the increase in the number of children living in poverty here, revealed in the latest NI Poverty Bulletin, as another "stark and shameful reminder of how our most vulnerable citizens are being failed".

Figures revealed in the latest Poverty Bulletin published by the Department for Communities show the number of children living in relative poverty after housing costs here increased from 23% in 2015/16 to 27% in 2016/17, the most recent year for which these statistics are available.

She said: "The fact that the number of children living in poverty has increased from 23% to 27% is shameful. This is not just some abstract number. It is over 121,000 children; children who are being left to live in poverty. And the blame game for the denial of government between the DUP and Sinn Féin can’t be used as a distraction tactic this time, because this increase took place under their joint watch while partners in the Executive.

"Given the political paralysis and vacuum of Ministerial decision making since, the situation for these 121,000 children and many others can only have gotten worse. In fact, an Institute of Fiscal Studies Report commissioned by a previous Executive estimated that over 30% of children here will be living in poverty come 2020 as a result of budget cuts and the handing back of welfare powers to the Tory Government by Sinn Féin and the DUP.

"These children need action not rhetoric. That is why among other measures, the SDLP has consistently called for a standalone Anti-Poverty Strategy to be included in the Programme for Government because we recognise that poverty underpins much of the difficulties we face as a society and a robust strategy with clear targets is essential if we are to halt the increasing trend of child poverty and the impact this has on a child's life chances."

Work On £5m Holiday Inn Express Expansion Complete

MSM Contracts has completed work on a £5 million expansion project at Holiday Inn Express in Queen's Quarter, Belfast.

The scheme involved adding a further 60 bedrooms to the property, covering over three floors and including two new underground car parking decks and parking at surface level.

In addition, the lobby and dining areas have also been redeveloped.

MSM Contracts are also refurbishing and extending the Crowne Plaza property in Belfast for Andras Hotels, due for completion later this month.

Both the Holiday Inn extension, as well as the Crowne Plaza scheme, are being funded by Danske Bank.

Rajesh Rana, Director of Andras Hotels, which owns and operates the Queen's Quarter Holiday Inn Express, said: "The past number of years have seen us invest over £25million into our properties and the economy of Belfast.

"Our extension at Holiday Inn Express will help meet the growing demand for mid-range hotel accommodation in the city, serviced by a corporate and leisure market who want a simple, engaging place to rest, recharge and work."

Lewis McCallan, Head of Relationship Management - Corporate Banking, Danske Bank said: "At Danske we are absolutely delighted to support the continued growth and success of Andras Hotels, another milestone in its journey with a market leading International brand.

"The extensions to Holiday Inn Express and Crowne Plaza will further enhance the already buoyant tourism and hospitality sector locally."

Ulster Unionists Slam RHI Report Findings

The Ulster Unionists have slammed the findings in the latest RHI report.

The party's finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA's also said they are "not entirely unexpected".

He said: "It confirms once and for all that the original RHI scheme not only incentivised the burning of material, but unquestionably resulted in the generation of additional and unnecessary heat.

"Many people will be shocked that in the space of only a year the amount of heat being generated has plunged by a third.

"It is perverse that a Government promoted and subsidised scheme which was meant to act as a policy instrument to increase uptake in renewable energy, actually saw the generation of so much superfluous heat. Instead of a green scheme, it was disastrous for our environment."

(CD)