A woman has been convicted at Newtownards Magistrates court for claiming benefits she was not entitled to.
Jennifer Brook, 26, of Ballyree Gardens, Bangor claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £2,384 while failing to declare employment. She was given a conditional discharge for two years.
She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Rent Increase For NIHE Tenants
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has approved a rent increase of around £2.56 per week for Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants.
The 4.2% increase, effective from 1st April 2014, brings average rents to £63.46 a week excluding rates. Housing Executive rents are around £20 a week less than the average rent for similar local authority accommodation in England, £12 less than those in Wales and on a par with those in Scotland.
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While the average rents for local authority homes in Scotland are also lower than other parts of the UK, there is a wide variation between individual Councils and rents vary widely between different areas.
Housing Development In Glengormley Begins
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has cut the first sod of a new £2.2million social housing scheme on the Antrim Road in Glengormley.
The development when completed, will consist of 21 apartments and is being built by Clanmil Housing Association with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development.
The one and two bedroom apartments will accommodate the needs of active older people with completion planned for January 2015.
Minister McCausland said: "One of my key objectives as Housing Minister is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access good quality accommodation appropriate to their needs. I welcome the construction of these new homes which are being developed in response to a demand for this type of more easily managed accommodation.
"Clanmil is to be congratulated for the excellent design and delivery of this project including the added benefit of secure car parking. This feature in itself will be welcomed by the new tenants. I look forward to seeing the finished scheme in due course."
(CD)
