NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020

MP CARLAMember of Parliament LOCKHART for Upper Bann MARCH ISSUE A message from your MP With the onset of the Corona Virus parliamentary business has been We have seen the huge benefit of somewhat curtailed in London. However prior to an earlier than expected being part of the UK economy with an recess there were some notable events. None more so than the budget unrivalled package for the employed brought forward by the Chancellor. Whilst there were some very welcome and the self employed to retain a points on VAT on agricultural diesel, a small increase in funding to Northern high percentage of their income. Ireland it was a disappointing budget for . In the House Whilst we acknowledge there are still of Commons the Prime Minister reaffirmed his standpoint that Northern gaps, along with my parliamentary Ireland business will continue to have unfettered access to the GB market colleagues, the First Minister and our which is very welcome and we will hold him to account on that. MLAs we are working to plug those Sadly the legislation brought before This battle for the lives of the unborn gaps. Parliament in 2019 to impose will go on. We will be a voice for Over the past month my office has abortion on Northern Ireland the voiceless. responded to many thousands of came into law. This is a devastating Covid-19 is dominating the world enquiries and I thank you for your blow against the will of the headlines and rightly so. Sadly we patience. We have not seen this people of Northern Ireland and one have seen a loss of life across the level of enquiry at any stage despite which should now be repealed by British Isles and around the World. being a busy full time office. I have the Northern Ireland Assembly. We pray that this will soon be a regular business update to keep This runs roughshod over the brought under control and we can you abreast of the changes in what devolved institutions. The irony that see normality return again soon. One is an ever changing landscape. If you some who profess to oppose our thing that has been positive in all of would like to be added to that feel Parliament and our British way of life this is the community spirit and the free to use any of the methods of but support this legislation being willingness of so many people in our communication noted at the end of passed in Westminster is not lost community to help those in need. It this leaflet and I will add you to that on us. We will not give up the fight. restores our faith in the human race. distribution list.

EUROPEAN VICTIMS DAY As a Parliamentary group we hosted a number of groups at Westminster to mark European Victims Day. In Northern Ireland we know only too well the scars of terrorism, not only for the victims but also their families. It was harrowing to hear some of the accounts but also humbling to see how these people are fighting to make sure they, or their loved ones, are not forgotten about.

07833 198008 [email protected] Carla Condell Lockhart or Carla Lockhart MP @CarlaLockhart NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020

MP CARLAMember of Parliament LOCKHART for Upper Bann

OUR FISHING INDUSTRY With our impending exit from the European Union farming and agriculture industry’s want reassurance that our Government will stand by them. As the parliamentary DEFRA spokesperson I met with northern Ireland fish producers and took a tour of Kilkeel Harbour. I will also be meeting with the Ulster Farmers Union President however that meeting has been delayed due to the Corona Virus. Rest assured with the DEARA Minister, and my colleagues at Westminster we will be fighting for you and ensuring your voice is heard and your livelihood protected. MARIE CURIE I was delighted to support the Marie Curie nurses at an event in Westminster in early March. These dedicated workers are friends and carers, as well as practitioners and make such a valuable contribution in many homes across the country.

OVARIAN CANCER MONTH March was Ovarian cancer awareness month. This is a subject close to my heart and I was delighted to endorse this campaign and raise awareness for my constituents, The message is very simple if you have ongoing tummy pain, consult your GP.

07833 198008 [email protected] Carla Condell Lockhart or Carla Lockhart MP @CarlaLockhart NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020

MP CARLAMember of Parliament LOCKHART for Upper Bann Community Funding Update COVID-19 Response Support Available Organisations that support vulnerable • Medium Community Grants Coronavirus groups will be encouraged to apply for a (£2,500 - £10,000/12 month grant/ Community Fund grant of £500 to support organisational rolling programme) https://communityfoundationni.org/ need in this time of crisis rather than Application deadline: Ongoing grants/coronavirus-community-fund/ fund specific projects. The Community Foundation of Applications will be welcomed Neighbourly Covid-19 Northern Ireland is offering grants to from a wide range of organisations Community Fund constituted community organisations including: voluntary and community throughout Northern Ireland. organisations, registered charities, https://www.neighbourly.com/ Partnership approach encouraged. schools, health bodies, Parish and NeighbourlyCommunityFund Town councils, social enterprises, The current focus is to support groups Micro grants are available for charities Community Interest Companies, and community groups that are and organisations working with the community councils, local authorities following communities and issues and existing members of the “Neighbourly” and social housing organisations. Other CSR platform, to support good causes that are affected by coronavirus not-for-profit organisations might also Application deadline: none specified that are helping communities affected be eligible. Businesses and ‘for profit’ by the Coronavirus outbreak. The The Prince’s organisations are not eligible. funding is for activities that support Application deadline: not specified members of the community who are Countryside Fund suffering economically, socially or from https://www.princescountrysidefund. CAF Coronavirus ill health as a result of the Coronavirus org.uk/grant-giving-programme/ Emergency Fund outbreak. (max. £400) grant-programme https://www.cafonline.org/charities/ Application deadline: none specified The Prince’s Countryside Fund is grantmaking/caf-coronavirus- inviting applications for emergency emergency-fund TNL Community funding from farming and rural community support groups, who This Fund is to help smaller charitable Fund (New COVID-19 are providing assistance to counter organisations in the UK affected by the restriction) the effects of isolation during the impact of COVID-19. Grants of up to Coronavirus pandemic. £10,000 are available. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org. uk/funding/northern-ireland Groups can apply for grant funding Application deadline: none specified of up to £2,500 if they are providing A quick way to apply for smaller emergency relief to vulnerable or Halifax Foundation amounts of funding between £300 isolated individuals, providing support for Northern Ireland and £10,000. Suitable for voluntary to farmers and farm businesses or community organisations. In a affected by the Coronavirus pandemic - Small and Medium statement, CEO Dawn Austwick or are helping rural or farming Grants Programmes stated all the funding decisions they make for the next six months (up to communities to cope with the https://www.halifaxfoundationni.org/ Coronavirus pandemic. £300m of National Lottery funding) will Halifax Foundation has recommended be devoted to addressing the current Application deadline: Wednesday groups to apply for small and medium crisis. This is restricted to: 15th April at 12pm. grants during this time. Any COVID-19 • Activities specifically geared to related applications designed to supporting communities through Tesco Community support the community at this time this crisis Funds – Bags of Help of crisis will be prioritised and turned • Helping organisations overcome around as quickly as possible. Includes any liquidity issues caused by https://tescobagsofhelp.org. funding for core costs. uk/2020/04/01/tesco-bags-of-help- COVID-19. covid-19-news/ • Small Community Grants (Up to Application deadline: Ongoing £2,500/12 month grant/rolling programme)

07833 198008 [email protected] Carla Condell Lockhart or Carla Lockhart MP @CarlaLockhart