Other News In Brief

Homelessness Charity Urges Govt To Extend Welfare Mitigation Legislation

Northern Ireland's leading homelessness charity, the Simon Community, is calling for MPs in Westminster to give serious consideration to extending Welfare Mitigation beyond March 2020. The charity argues that extreme factors, such as Brexit uncertainty, further funding cuts to homelessness services and a growing demand for services particularly from young people, have placed Northern Ireland in a unique position that requires a speedy and delicate response.

Chief Executive Jim Dennison said: "Vulnerable individuals and families, who are already struggling with the processes of the benefits system and already on the breadline, are likely to become even closer to homelessness after the end of welfare reform mitigation. We only need to look at the recent news headlines to see job losses destroy individuals and communities and it won't be too long before we witness the casualties."

With many are in agreement that benefits claimants are facing a cliff edge, the very real risk of poverty and homelessness and the long lasting impacts these issues have on the health and wellbeing of a person cannot be ignored. The charity said now is not the time for an 'our hands are tied' response but rather, those in positions of authority must deliver for people in society who need a helping hand and protection from poverty. Simon Community believe the extension of Welfare Mitigation, endorsed in the Report by the Joint Inquiry into Welfare Policy in NI, is a practical and possible action that will provide a much-needed lifeline to help keep people in their homes.

Ulster Farmers' Union Slams Department For Economy Over RHI Tariffs

The Ulster Farmers' Union has said the dramatic cuts to RHI tariffs are causing increasing anger among farmers.

The comments were made as a judicial review into the lawfulness of the Department for Economy's measures, which led to the 2019 legislation that dramatically cut RHI tariffs, was again postponed.

UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt hit out at the continued hardened approach of the Department. He said: "Earlier this year the DfE said it would publish details of a proposed Hardship Unit in September. That deadline has now passed and as we enter October there is no sign of any movement by DfE. Meanwhile, our members are facing continued financial pressure as a result of the decision."

The UFU says the financial difficulties facing those farmers affected by the drastic RHI tariff cuts cannot be overstated.

"These farmers are being pushed to the wall. They are selling stock, selling land, making all the adjustments they can and some are faced with the very real possibility that this could be the end of their business. They got a raw deal as a result of this rushed legalisation and are paying the price for government mistakes. DfE has made no obvious attempts to act upon the findings of an earlier Call for Evidence and the silence from the department is deafening," said Mr Chestnutt.

"The fact that much of what is being asked for in terms of further information appears to have little bearing on the heat use which is being investigated. The department are continuing to use scheme participants as scapegoats for their gross incompetence and it is completely unacceptable."

Tranlink Urby Buses Extended Out Of Belfast

Translink's popular new Urby bus service is being extended to operate from Ballygowan, Comber and Moneyreagh to Belfast.

From Monday 07 October, ten modern new Urby vehicles will be operating a majority of services along the 11 and 12 Ulsterbus routes.

First introduced last year, Urby is a modern new service that connects people who live in towns on the periphery of Belfast and travel into the city for work, study or other leisure activities.

Services will operate with a frequency of at least every half hour during peak commuting times, taking advantage of the bus priority measures now a feature in the city and giving plenty of choice to those who want to sit back and relax on board.

More people are using Urby services to get some physical activity as part of their day with the walk to the bus stop. They also welcome the 'me time' on board, to read, catch up with social media, relax to their favourite music, meditate, or simply chillout and watch the world go by.

Translink Bus Services Southern Area Manager Arthur Hamilton, said: "Urby is proving very popular with our customers who are enjoying faster and more comfortable journeys, with leather seating, free wi-fi and usb charging ports, on environmentally friendly buses.

"Thousands of additional passengers have made Urby their first choice for travel. Areas such as Newtownards, Carryduff and Balllyclare have seen particularly strong growth and we look forward to welcoming more customers on board as we further develop our services."

Mr Hamilton concluded: "We believe people are becoming 'smarter' travellers, looking for ways to get more 'me time', and Urby is one way that gives them that and more - for many it also helps them find the time for a more active and healthy lifestyle."

New passenger information signs, including bus stop flags, will be displayed along the new Urby routes from Ballygowan, Comber and Moneyreagh.



(JG)