SDLP Secures Commitment for Detailed Public Services Recovery Plan

The SDLP Opposition has secured a commitment from Executive parties to approach the Treasury with a detailed plan that sets out the scale of need and makes clear to the public that promises made over the last two years will be delivered on.

Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA called on the new Finance Minister to commit to producing and publishing costed plans to meet the immediate pressures facing people and public sector workers.

The SDLP endorsed a call by Executive Ministers for further resource to restore public services in Northern Ireland. An SDLP Opposition amendment calling on the Finance Minister to work with Ministers to produce costed plans for immediate priorities was passed unanimously by the Assembly.

South Belfast MLA Mr O'Toole said: "The SDLP Opposition has started as it means to go on by securing a commitment from Executive parties to set out a detailed plan to revive public services in the very first motion debated in the new Assembly. Our proposal compels the Finance Minister, and all Executive Ministers to outline their priorities and what they will be seeking funding for. The public deserve to see costed plans and to make sure that these parties live up to the significant promises made prior to the last election and in the period where Stormont wasn't functioning.

"For our part, we are determined to hold the Executive parties to account and ensure that any funding received goes where it's needed most. We cannot continue to operate Stormont as a financial black hole, trapped in a continuous circle of degrading public services.

"The SDLP Opposition is happy to constructively work with the Executive today, recognising the huge financial pressures facing public services and the need to deal with our immediate priorities, including public sector pay awards, hospital waiting lists and affordable childcare, alongside a comprehensive programme for government that delivers for families on the issues they are facing.

"However, Ministers will be much more successful in securing the funding we desperately need if we make the approach with a costed and detailed plan to restore public services. It is too easy for the British Treasury to say no to an open ask so we need to put them under the pressure that people here feel every day."

Man Arrested Following Guitar Theft In Lisburn

A man has been arrested in Lisburn following a theft from a commercial premises in the Railway Street area.

Shortly before 4.15pm on Monday, February 5, it was reported that a guitar had been stolen from the shop, with the suspect reported to have left the scene on a bike.

Officers responded swiftly and thanks to assistance from Lisburn CityWatch, located a man matching the suspect's description a short time later, in the vicinity of a shopping centre. He assaulted an officer, knocking them to the ground, before making off on foot.

He was detained a short distance away, and arrested on suspicion of offences including theft, going equipped for theft, cycling while unfit and assault on police. He remains in custody at this time.

Inspector Moffett said: "While being transported to custody, he attempted to headbutt a second officer and later, attempted to assault a third officer, before kicking a Civilian Detention Officer on the arm.

"The fact that our officers and staff were assaulted during the course of their duties yesterday is entirely unacceptable. Unfortunately, this is all too common, as we have seen with a series of incidents over the weekend right across the province.

"Thankfully, there were no reports of any serious injuries and they were all able to remain on duty.

"Our officers are here to help, and respond to calls assisting people. Assaults on police are unacceptable, and must not be tolerated as simply being 'part of the job'."

Alliance Highlights Benefits Of Apprenticeships

Employers and people of all ages have been urged to consider the benefits of taking on apprenticeships as Apprenticeship Week gets under way.

Apprenticeship Week, led by the Department for the Economy, aims to raise the profile of apprenticeships across Northern Ireland.

Alliance Economy spokesperson Sorcha Eastwood MLA said: "Apprenticeships are a key way to strengthen and grow our skill base. We are seeing a growing number of employers of all sizes and across a huge variety of sectors recognise this route as an opportune way to fill vacancies and support growth.

"The latest Employer Skills Survey showed there were nearly 40,000 vacancies in Northern Ireland, 13,700 of which were deemed skill-shortage vacancies. This is why the delivery of the Skills Strategy is so important, which includes a ring-fenced skills fund and long-term commitment to all-age apprenticeships.

"One area I am particularly passionate about is how we can create and grow apprenticeship opportunities to support our health and social care sector. This requires cross-departmental working, and is something I will be speaking to both the Health Minister and Economy Minister about.

"I will continue to push for the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities and the support available to both the people undertaking apprenticeships and the employers offering them."