Sarah Mckinley

Nov 4, 2024 | redpepper.org.uk | Sarah McKinley |Sarah Mckinley |Dana Brown

American democracy is widely held to be hanging in the balance this November, with the future of elections and the rule of law itself no longer assured. While both parties claim to represent the only democratic option, neither propose policies that would actually give more power to ordinary Americans.

Apr 2, 2024 | itv.com | Sarah McKinley |Sarah Mckinley

A parents' group in Northern Ireland has said it's a crying shame that Northern Ireland still has no free childcare provision on a day when provision in England is being extended. Melted Parents NI say that peers are quitting jobs, emigrating and choosing to have only one child because of the cost of childcare. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched a new free childcare scheme for England to allow eligible families of children from nine months will be able to claim 15 hours of free childcare.

Feb 24, 2024 | itv.com | Sarah McKinley |Sarah Mckinley

Two years have now passed since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. Today at Ulster University, surrounded by donated paintings, a minutes' silence was held for those who have died in the conflict to date. According to the UN, the death-toll is over 10,000. These paintings are for sale to raise money for an ambulance to send to Ukraine. The Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Community Group has already sent seven ambulances to the war-zone since February 2022.

Feb 22, 2024 | itv.com | Sarah McKinley |Sarah Mckinley

The Chief Executives of Northern Ireland's five health trusts and the NI Ambulance Service, have laid bare the extent of the issues they face to Stormont's Health Committee. They painted a picture of a system that has too little money, too few staff, and is trying to see more and more patients who are presenting with more complicated illnesses. Roisin Coulter, chief executive South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, opened by calling for "a radical overhaul". “There are no quick fixes.

Feb 20, 2024 | itv.com | Sarah McKinley |Sarah Mckinley

It is estimated that there are thousands more victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland who could be eligible for a pension scheme for those permanently disabled during the conflict. There have been over 6,500 applications submitted since the Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme launched in 2021. £35million has been paid out by to 722 people who have been successful, through money ring-fenced by the Executive Office.