Other News In Brief

Drop In Homeownership For People Aged Between 18 - 34

New figures have revealed a in drop home ownership for people aged between 18 – 34 in Northern Ireland.

SDLP Deputy Leader, Nichola Mallon MLA, has called for more to be down for first-time buyers after statistics showed home ownership for the 18-34 age bracket has dropped from nearly half of all tenures in 2005/06 (49.4%) to less than a third in 2015/16 (31.4%).

The North Belfast MLA said young adults are being held back "with no option but to stay on living at their parents or remain stuck paying someone else's mortgage through rent because of high house prices and the huge deposits needed".

"Staying at home or renting is fine if it's your choice but for so many people well into their 20s and 30s, they have no other option because despite working hard, affording their own home is still well beyond their reach," she said.

"There is much more that could be done to enable first-time buyers onto the property ladder. This is yet another reason why we need a functioning Assembly and Executive."

No-Deal Brexit Will Lead To Food Shortages And Price Rises – Swann

Consumers across the UK would face immediate food shortages and major price hikes if the UK leaves the EU with no deal, according to Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann.

Mr Swann said comments this week from the farming unions across the UK about the dangers of a 'No-Deal' Brexit were a "timely reminder of the increasingly perilous position we are finding ourselves in relation to Brexit".

"I have consistently warned that whilst there are real opportunities with Brexit, if the necessary preparations are not put in place, local agriculture has the most to lose from a bungled final deal," he said.

"Now, far from a bad deal, it looks like we may have no deal at all. Such an outcome would be the worst possible result for farmers and consumers."

UUP Cllr Jim Rogers Faces No Confidence Vote

The Alliance Party has announced it is bringing a motion of no confidence UUP Councillor, Jim Rodgers.

The move is being made following concerns from Alliance over Cllr Rogers' behaviour in relation to his role as Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

Alliance Councillor Michael Long said: "While appearing on BBC's Nolan Show last month, Councillor Rodgers made a series of negative comments about Council staff in relation to their actions with respect to controversial bonfires in East Belfast over the 11th July. That is not acceptable, particularly given the sheer hypocrisy shown by Councillor Rodgers when he praised the same staff during internal council meetings.

"In addition, we were concerned about the behaviour of the Chair in relation to the calling of special meetings in the early part of July. Such delays made it increasingly difficult to get decisions around controversial issues taken.

"The feedback I have received from both staff and Councillors has been one of great disappointment in Councillor Rodgers, especially given the huge efforts staff members made during the period. I therefore have decided to seek a vote of no confidence in the Chair. If it passes, he should consider his position. At the very least, Councillor Rodgers should publicly apologise to Council staff for his hypocritical, disparaging remarks."

(LM/CM)