Alliance Calls For Urgent Action On Social Housing Energy Standards

Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Minister for Communities to take urgent action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty by introducing higher standards for social housing.

The Strangford MLA spoke ahead of an Alliance Assembly motion planned for today, Tuesday, 7 October, which asks the Minister to bring forward proposals for the redesign of social homes to incorporate higher energy efficiency standards and renewable energy integration.

Ms Armstrong highlighted the reality for many families who are currently living in fuel poverty and fear the colder months, having to ration heating. She stressed that the issue of "Heat or Eat" must be addressed by the Minister responsible for housing.

She argued that Northern Ireland "can’t afford to continue building homes at a standard that is over 10 years out of date." The MLA asserted that upfront investment in raising housing standards would pay for itself many times over by slashing energy bills for families, cutting carbon emissions, and creating thousands of skilled jobs.

Ms Armstrong concluded by calling for clear leadership, warning that "every delay means more families trapped in fuel poverty".

Padraig Delargy Calls For United Approach On L'Derry Investment

Sinn Féin MLA Padraig Delargy has called for a united political approach to continue driving investment and transformation in Derry.

Addressing the Assembly today, the Foyle MLA said that positive political leadership had been vital in achieving key projects such as the A6 upgrade, the North West Cancer Centre, and the ongoing expansion at Magee (Ulster University). Mr Delargy asserted that Sinn Féin's leadership is focused on "delivery, on opportunity, and on building a positive future for all." He highlighted that Sinn Féin took up the economic portfolio last year with the explicit aim of creating better regional balance, making it a key pillar of the Department’s economic strategy and underpinning every policy.

However, he stressed that achieving this vision is not a partisan issue but one of fairness and ambition for all of society. He issued an invitation to "every party and every representative" to work together to make regional balance a reality, arguing that collective leadership is essential to achieving real change in the North West.

DUP Accuse Alliance 'Deception' Over Police Officer Numbers

DUP Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke MLA has accused the Alliance Party of a "breathtaking lack of self-awareness" after the party appeared to claim ownership of the Chief Constable's plans to increase police officer numbers.

Reacting to a social media post, Mr Clarke said the claims were a "deception" intended to deflect from criticism of Justice Minister Naomi Long (Alliance). He asserted that it was the DUP that insisted on the political agreement to reach 7,500 full-time officers and campaigned for its implementation upon the restoration of the institutions in 2020.

Mr Clarke criticised Minister Long's tenure, claiming it coincided with the "chronic underfunding of policing and justice for more than a decade." He cited instances where the Minister allegedly downplayed the need to increase police numbers and appeared to acquiesce to a draft budget that harmed police capabilities. He also referenced the PSNI's decision to defer recruitment when the Minister was in post.

The DUP representative concluded that Alliance should be taking ownership of the "unprecedented decline in police officers," not claiming credit for the Chief Constable's plans to address it. He also commended the Police Federation for their "strong and dignified response" to the social media post.