Andy Allen MLA

08/09/2026

Honoured to co-sponsor Trussell Trust’s event at Stormont this morning to launch their new report, Pathways to end the need for food banks in Northern Ireland.

In my closing remarks, I thanked the Trussell Trust, its staff, volunteers and food bank network for everything they do to support individuals and families facing hardship across Northern Ireland. Their work provides a vital lifeline, but the ambition must be to reach a point where people have enough income to afford the essentials and are no longer forced to rely on charitable food provision to survive.

I have no hesitation in supporting the policy asks set out today, which include stronger cross-government action, sustainable funding for advice and community services, and a greater focus on early intervention and prevention.

As I emphasised this morning, signing up to the framework and its policy asks is the easy part. The real challenge will be ensuring that it leads to meaningful change that is delivered, sustained and, most importantly, felt in communities across Northern Ireland. That is something we must all strive to ensure happens.

07/09/2026

💛 Supporting Marie Curie at Stormont 💛

Earlier today I called into the launch of Marie Curie’s manifesto, One chance to get it right, at Stormont.

Palliative and end-of-life care is something that will touch so many families across Northern Ireland. At what is often one of the most difficult times in someone’s life, people should be able to receive the care, dignity and support they need, wherever they live.

Marie Curie estimates that one in three people are currently missing out on the palliative care they need and deserve. Their manifesto sets out four clear priorities: prioritising palliative and end of life care, preventing crisis situations, ensuring no one dies without support, and building informed and empowered communities.

With an ageing population and demand for these services expected to grow, this is an issue we cannot afford to overlook.

Thank you to Marie Curie’s staff and volunteers m who provide care, comfort and reassurance to people and their families at an incredibly difficult time. 💛

05/09/2026

Delighted to be at the Belfast International Tattoo again last night.

Another fantastic show this year, showcasing music, dance, precision, pageantry and performance from home and further afield.

It was great to see such a strong mix of local and international performers, including the Norwegian King’s Guard Veterans Band and Drill Team, American Originals Fife and Drum Corps, Maghery Fife and Drum Band, Schomberg Fife and Drum, Desertmartin and Aughafatten Accordion Bands, alongside many others.

You can really see the amount of work, commitment and preparation that goes into an event like this, particularly in bringing together a programme that offers something different from the year before. Well done to everyone involved in putting on another excellent Belfast International Tattoo. 👏

If you haven’t been before, I’d definitely encourage you to put it on your list for next year.

05/09/2026

I am delighted to have been chosen to represent the Ulster Unionist Party in Lisnasharragh at the next council election.

Lisnasharragh is my home, and it has given me so much. This is where I’ve chosen to build my life and start a family, and it has completely won my heart.

I’ve met some of the friendliest people I’ve ever known. I’ve got to know the people behind our local businesses, the volunteers who give up their time for this community, and the neighbours who make this such a brilliant part of Belfast to live in.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen plenty of problems too.

Our rates are going up, yet our streets are getting messier. Businesses and residents are being asked to pay more, while too often the basics aren’t being delivered as they should be.

I don’t think we should just accept that.

I want to represent you on Belfast City Council because I want to represent my home.

I want Lisnasharragh to be a place where our streets are clean, our businesses can thrive, our communities are listened to, and where people can be proud of where they live.

I’m looking forward to getting out across Lisnasharragh, listening to you, hearing what matters to you, and earning your support.

This is my home. I want to be a part of making it the best it can be.

03/09/2026

01/09/2026

💡 Could you be getting a better deal on your electricity or gas?

Energy prices can vary depending on your supplier, tariff and how you pay, so it is worth checking whether there is a better option available.

The Consumer Council has free online comparison tools for households across Northern Ireland:

⚡ Compare electricity prices
https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/consumers/help-consumers/electricity-oil-and-gas/electricity-price-comparison-tool

🔥 Compare gas prices
https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/consumers/help-consumers/electricity-oil-and-gas/gas-price-comparison-tool

With colder weather approaching and recent tariff increase announcements, it's worth taking a few minutes, to make sure you are on the best deal available to you.

Please share so others can check too.

28/08/2026

Delighted to spend some time with Laso Day Opportunities as they celebrated their first birthday.

It was heartwarming to once again see first-hand the fantastic work taking place and the difference it makes.

I was also pleased that my colleague and friend, Health Minister Robbie Butler MLA, was able to come along, meet families, service users and staff, and hear directly about their experiences and the difference LASO is making.

Congratulations to Rachel and the entire team at LASO on their first birthday.

28/08/2026

Gas customers must not be overlooked following 18.97% price rise announcement - Allen

East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA and Chair of the All-Party Group on Fuel Poverty Andy Allen MBE has called for urgent action to support households at greatest risk after SSE Airtricity announced a 18.97% per cent increase in gas prices from 1 October.

The increase will affect more than 200,000 domestic customers across the Greater Belfast and West gas networks, adding around £172 to £174 to a typical annual bill.

Andy Allen said:

“This is a near 19 per cent increase arriving just as many households will begin turning their heating back on. For a typical customer, it means finding another £170 or more each year simply to use the same amount of gas.

“People will understand that instability in global energy markets has driven up wholesale costs, but that explanation does not make the bill any easier to pay. Close to one in four households here are already in fuel poverty and many people are rationing their heating. A rise on this scale has the potential to push more households into hardship.

“The £100 home heating oil payment and the proposed electricity discount of over £50 will provide some help, but neither directly addresses this increase for gas-heated homes. The Executive must now consider how targeted support can reach gas customers most at risk, rather than allowing a gap to open depending on how someone heats their home.

“That support must include low-income working households who often miss out, as well as older people, disabled people and customers using prepayment meters. SSE Airtricity should also contact customers proactively and make the help and payment options available to them clear before the new tariff takes effect.

“The Utility Regulator must keep the tariff under close review and ensure that any fall in wholesale costs is passed back to customers promptly.

“Longer term, this again underlines why delivery of the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy matters. The new Warm Healthy Homes Fund is not due to begin until April 2027, so existing support must be properly funded through this winter and there must be no drift in getting the new scheme up and running. Reducing household energy bills must be a priority for this Executive and remain one for the next.

“Ministers have just over a month before this increase takes effect. They should use that time to set out clearly what support will be available.”

27/08/2026

📱 Department of Education consultation on mobile phone-free schools

The Department of Education has opened a 12-week public consultation on possible legislative changes to support mobile phone-free schools in Northern Ireland. No final decision on legislation has been taken.

Strengthened guidance has also been issued stating that pupils should not routinely have access to personal mobile phones during the school day. While many schools already have their own mobile phone policies, the Department is proposing a more consistent approach across the education system.

The proposals follow an independent evaluation of the Mobile Phone-Free Schools Pilot by King’s College London. The evaluation reported improvements in classroom focus, engagement, behaviour, safeguarding and social interaction, as well as fewer disruptions.

A separate Department of Education survey of schools found:

• 73% believed mobile phones had a negative overall impact during the school day
• More than 90% linked phones to behavioural issues
• 83% cited online conflict spilling into school
• 77% identified safeguarding concerns
• 71% reported a significant impact on pupil wellbeing
• 71% highlighted cyberbullying

Individual schools would retain flexibility over how restrictions are applied. Exceptions would remain available for medical, safeguarding, disability or special educational needs.

Parents, pupils, teachers, school leaders and others with an interest are invited to respond. The consultation is open until 19 November 2026:

🔗 https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-measures-support-mobile-phone-free-schools-northern-ireland