The Department for Communities (DfC) has announced that they are to create over 1,000 new jobs across Northern Ireland, as they expand their service in delivering child maintenance and benefit services for the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Alliance Party has announced that Eóin Tennyson MLA has been elected as their new deputy leader, following a vote of 190 party members on Tuesday evening. He said that it’s a ‘hugely exciting time for our party’ and he is ‘incredibly thankful to party members’.
Former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle has admitted to several child sex offences and is awaiting sentencing, but it’s been revealed that two of his former colleagues provided references for him to gain employment at the British Heart Foundation, after his contract was terminated by the party.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden MP has made his first visit to Northern Ireland after being appointed as Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. He met with Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly alongside NI Secretary Hilary Benn.
Following his exit from party politics, Stephen Farry is taking on a new role at Ulster University, leading their new Strategic Policy Unit with Jodie Carson. The former minister announced in September that he would step down as Alliance Party deputy leader.
Diana Armstrong has been co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to replace Tom Elliot, who was elevated to the House of Lords in July. She will serve the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency.
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has ruled herself out as the next deputy leader of the Alliance Party, saying her focus is on Lagan Valley and that it is a “special job which I love and is a privilege to do”.
The Alliance Party has released a policy document named ‘No More Time to Wait’, with North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland saying that a five-week wait for Universal Credit is ‘forcing some people to turn to illegal money lenders’.
The Derry City and Strabane Growth Deal has been signed by the Mayor and Executive Ministers at the Guildhall. More than £250 million will be invested in the region and it could bring up to 6,300 new jobs by 2033.
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