SAOIRSE32

Irish Times

16/12/2007

Proposed cuts to the social housing budget will cost the Northern Ireland economy around stg£150 million (€210m) and put more than 3,000 construction jobs at risk, it was claimed today.

The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations said the North’s social housing crisis is set to deepen if the Assembly’s draft budget is approved as it stands.

More than 36,000 people are currently on the waiting list for affordable homes. This will soar if the budget is rubber stamped, the federation claimed.

It said the construction industry will also lose out on an estimated £66 million (€92) per annum.

Social Development minister Margaret Ritchie has hit out at the proposed allocation, which would see her department’s operating budget cut by 5 per cent and its capital spend by 63 per cent.

Finance minister Peter Robinson’s draft budget is currently under consultation. The final version is due to be agreed early in the new year.

A recent review of affordable housing provision, carried out by Sir John Semple, recommended that 10,000 new low-cost homes be built over the next five years.

The federation, which represents 43 housing associations across Northern Ireland, said the target may be unobtainable in light of the proposed budget for 2008.

Chief executive Chris Williamson has written to Assembly members urging them to support the call for more investment in social housing.

“Right now housing associations can clinch realistic deals with landowners and developers to add to the social housing stock,” he said.

“However, the NI Housing Executive is having to apply the brakes to many proposed schemes because they may not be able to pay the grant contribution for them in the next financial year.

“This window of opportunity is rare but is being stymied by a real cash crisis.

Housing associations need cash now to help avoid a nightmare scenario in which the shortage of social housing becomes worse instead of better.”

VAT scammers in threat to bankrupt fraudster’s family

Sunday Life
December 16, 2007

Terror bosses behind a building industry VAT scam warned the dad of a bankrupt fraudster: “Keep your mouth shut or else!”

Sunday Life understands the Co Antrim man was summoned to a meeting in Andersonstown where thugs held him captive for over three hours and warned that his son’s family would be attacked if details of their multi-million pound fiddle were given to investigators.

Earlier this year we revealed how terror chiefs from across the sectarian divide had set up the racket with seemingly legitimate paperwork and VAT registration details that originated in the English Midlands.

According to sources, as many as a dozen smaller building contractors who took part - and enabled it to take place - are now feeling the squeeze from Revenue and Customs.

One, who had millions of pounds of work on his books and was hit was a massive tax bill, recently let his business go to the wall rather than pay up.

But those who masterminded the scam spent hours quizzing the builder’s vulnerable dad, worried that his son might leak details that lead back to them.

He was held in a steel container in a site in west Belfast and warned that his life would be in danger if he talked.

It’s believed the builder has fled his home. It’s also understood his family was too frightened to report the death threat to cops.

Another contractor who became involved in a scam being operated by the same gang told us: “We basically have two ways to get out of this - either we go bust at the hands of the Inland Revenue and say nothing, or we end up in a pine box.”

The builder, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told how he had received hundreds of pounds a week by having fake workers on his books. Those who had supplied supposedly legitimate VAT registration details and Construction Industry Scheme paperwork were also creaming off a fortune. However, when Revenue and Customs finally catch up with the scam, it is the contractor who face the music.

Added the builder: “I have been hit with a bill for £70k - either I pay it or I go bust. I want to work so I can’t just go bust, but there are plenty of others in the same boat who let themselves go to the wall.

“The bottom rung of the ladder is being hammered in this, but the big boys running scams seem untouchable, but they are the ones supplying the paperwork and making big money.

“And because they carry the threat of violence against contractors, it’s very hard to say no.”

BBC

A highly organised campaign is being waged to destroy Orange Order halls, its grand secretary has said.

Drew Nelson was speaking after the latest incident on the Moira Road at Ballinderry in County Antrim.

Smoke damage was caused to an Orange hall in an overnight fire. Mr Nelson said more than 30 halls had been attacked by arsonists so far this year.

“This is a highly organised campaign against the Orange Order,” he told BBC News.

“We find it very disappointing, because over the past two or three years we have been working very hard to improve community relations.

“It is a great disappointment to us that these attacks are still going on.”

At about 0430 GMT on Sunday, police in Lisburn received reports of a fire at the Orange hall on the Moira Road.

Police said they were treating the blaze as suspicious.

Police are also investigating a similar incident at Ballyworkan Orange hall in Portadown on Friday night.

BBC

A pipe bomb has been thrown at a police station in County Tyrone.

The attack took place shortly before midnight when Strabane PSNI station was attacked.

The device, which police have described as viable, was found close to the station’s gates. Army technical experts were called to the scene.

Police in Strabane have appealed for information about the attack. A further examination of the area is expected to take place on Sunday.

BBC

Police have carried out “a successful proactive operation against dissident republican activity”, according to the PSNI.

It follows eight searches in west Belfast and County Fermanagh.

A 28-year-old man has been charged with possesion of a firearm and ammunition, with intent to endanger life.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday. A man and a woman also arrested have been released without charge.

The searches took place on Saturday.

By Victor Gordon
Belfast Telegraph
Saturday, December 15, 2007

An Ulster borough council is reeling after a listening device was uncovered in the office of a member of staff.

The Mayor of Craigavon was called in to remove the device, and the Belfast Telegraph understands that the tapes are now - in the words of the Mayor, Councillor Robert Smith - “in safe keeping”.

Council sources say that the tapes are being retained while a decision is being taken over possible disciplinary action, while the officer in question has sent a written apology to staff members.

He insisted it was part of an ongoing dispute on his part and added: “I am sorry if this caused any concern to any of you … It was merely an ‘aide memoir’ for me during a very stressful time.

“It was not used to record any meetings … and no device of such a nature exists nor will exist at any future stage in my room.”

Mayor Smith has confirmed that he personally removed the Dictophone-type device from the office and that the tapes are ” in safe keeping”.

He added: “Other than that I cannot comment.

“It is all part of a current investigation within the council.”

It is the latest in a line of staff crises at Craigavon Borough Council, culminating in two ‘advisors’ moving in to sort out the turmoil.

These are Robert Gilmore, former chief executive with Banbridge District Council and former Belfast City Council director Philip Lucas.

Mayor Smith said: “It will take time but it will be sorted out.

“Council services are not being affected by what is a sad state of affairs.”