Subscribe to Daily Northern Ireland News
Submit a News Story
18/06/2024
The Alliance Party has made a commitment that their MP's will push for improvements to the UK Government's tax-free childcare scheme.
South Belfast and Mid Down General Election candidate, Kate Nicholl, said the recently announced interim support for childcare must be implemented at pace and there is much more required to support local parents and carers.
"There is no doubt families and households in Northern Ireland are currently suffering from a super-disparity in childcare support relative to those in other regions of the UK,” she said.
"Not only is this unfair, but given childcare is key economic infrastructure, it is detrimental for everyone, whether they avail of childcare services or not. Therefore, we need to prioritise investment in childcare provision.
"The recent proposals on childcare brought by the Education Minister are a positive first step and a clear indication of Alliance leading change on this matter, given it is a significant shift in DUP policy. But more needs to be done to support parents and the sector. This is a policy win, but I will not be satisfied until parents start to see real savings and providers are supported.
"Alliance's childcare paper, Children First, outlines our proposals in detail - what we need to see is a bespoke affordable childcare scheme for Northern Ireland which will deliver better outcomes for children, reduced costs for parents and enhance the sustainability of childcare provision.
"While delivery of that scheme will sit with the Assembly, Westminster also has a role to play. That's why Alliance MPs will lead change by pushing for improvements to the UK Government's tax-free childcare scheme, such as an clearer information on the scheme, increasing or removing the cap, and increasing the relief from 20 per cent to 35 per cent."
News Archive | Submit News | Get News For Your Website
Latest Northern Ireland News
20 June 2024
Roe Park Resort Listed For Sale At £14 Million
The 4-star Roe Park Resort, located on the outskirts of Limavady, is now on the market through CBRE Group, with a guide price of £14 million. Roe Park Resort, which was named the Best Golf Resort in Ulster at the 2024 Golfers Guide to Ireland awards, has been independently owned since it opened in 1995.
20 June 2024
Arrest Made Over Banbridge Shooting
Detectives investigating a shooting in the Rathfriland Road area of Banbridge in April have made an arrest.
20 June 2024
Belfast Man Sentenced After Assault On Two Men
A man from east Belfast has been sentenced to three years in jail after a "savage assault" on two men. Mark McKechnie, aged 28, was sentenced yesterday, Wednesday 19 June, at Downpatrick Crown Court for grievous bodily harm, common assault and false imprisonment.
20 June 2024
New Temporary Bus Lanes To Be Introduced In Belfast
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced that new temporary bus lanes will come into operation in Belfast from Monday 1 July. Temporary bus lanes are being implemented as major public improvement projects around the new Belfast Grand Central Station intensify.
20 June 2024
Man Sentenced Following Robberies And Burglaries In Newry
A man has been sentenced to seven and a half years in relation to two robberies and two burglaries which occurred in Newry between August 2022 and January 2023. Shane Osborne, aged 34, was convicted on 8 February 2024 at Newry Crown Court in relation to the robberies and burglaries.
20 June 2024
GenAIEdu 2024 To Welcome International Experts
GenAIEdu 2024 will gather global experts to discuss the future of AI in education and to prepare the region for its effective implementation.
20 June 2024
Future Mother And Baby Institutions Inquiry To Include Unmarked Grave Records - Alliance
Alliance has urged that any future inquiries into mother and baby institutions in Northern Ireland should include protection of burial records of unmarked graves.
20 June 2024
Other News In Brief
Randalstown Named Best Kept Town in Ireland 2024 Randalstown has been crowned the Best Kept Town across the island of Ireland at the prestigious Ireland's Best Kept Town Awards 2024.
19 June 2024
Newtownards Man Jailed For Rape Of A Child
A 39-year-old man from Newtownards has been sentenced to a total of nine years at Downpatrick Crown Court for the rape of a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
19 June 2024
NI Water Issues Summer Water Safety Advice
NI Water has urged people to stay safe around reservoirs this summer and make the right decisions about water safety. The water safety advice has been issued to mark Drowning Prevention Week, held annually every June.
