Other News In Brief

Hargey Urged To Increase Winter Fuel Payment

The DUP have called on Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to explore providing a top up to the Winter Fuel Payment, following news of increases in gas home heating.

Carla Lockhart said: "With the cost of heating a home by gas increasing by up to 40%, many low income households or those occupied by the elderly will be deeply concerned about how they will afford to fuel their homes this winter.

"Our rates of fuel poverty are the highest in the United Kingdom. Likewise we have totally unacceptable rates of food poverty. Yet now we face a situation where families will be forced to choose between heating and eating.

"We need the Communities Minister to look for ways to help people face this financial pain. A top up of the Winter Fuel Payment would be one such option, but there are others. Yet so far we have silence, and no sense of urgency from the Minister. We need the Minister to focus on the needs of everyone in Northern Ireland at this difficult time, not just focus on her own pet projects."

Economy Minister Praises Resilience Of Thales Belfast

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has commended Thales Belfast on its continuing innovation and resilience throughout the pandemic.

The Minister visited the Thales facility at Castlereagh where he received an update on the company's Belfast and wider UK operations and viewed the business's Covid safe working practices.

Speaking after the visit, the Minister said: "Thales has a 60-year heritage in Northern Ireland in leading-edge, high technology engineering, employing around 500 people and sustaining a significant wider local supply chain.

"The company has shown great resilience through what has been a very challenging period, continuing to innovate and push the local engineering sector forward, whilst putting in place safe working practices for company staff.

"The company's position as a global leader was underlined by its recent success in securing a significant contract from the Ministry of Defence and its impressive presence at the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition in London earlier this month.

"I found my visit to be engaging and enlightening, and I wish the company the very best for the future."

Philip McBride, Managing Director of Thales Belfast, said: "We were delighted to host Minister Lyons at our facility in Castlereagh, where we showed him our leading edge technology, developed by Thales Belfast and underpinned by our supply chain in Northern Ireland.

"Our ongoing success allows us to continue to provide highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland and supports the development of the next generation of engineering excellence, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Northern Ireland Executive and Invest Northern Ireland in that endeavour."

Support Services Announced For Retired Prison Officers

Retired prison officers are to receive support services in recognition of their challenging working environment, Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced.

This follows the publication of a report commissioned by the Minister in January which recommended the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust should expand its work to include retired prison staff.

Naomi Long said: "Prison staff play a crucial role in keeping our community safe by supporting and challenging people to change. They deal with some of the most difficult and dangerous members of our community and they do so in a way that is professional, compassionate and caring.

"That can be, at times, a very difficult role and I believe it is right that when an officer retires that we continue to support them should they need it.

"The Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust has a track record of exemplary support and that will now be extended to include retired prison officers. Work will now begin to recruit additional clinicians and it is anticipated that the support will be in place early in the New Year."