Gold-mining is one of the most destructive industries in the world. It pollutes our water and land with chemicals, endangering the health of people and destroying our beautiful countryside. Almost 20 tonnes of waste is produced to make one gold wedding ring, and the majority of gold produced is either for jewellery or sits in the vaults of banks.

Many parents and families in Northern Ireland are coming under unbearable financial pressure due to the arbitrary and expensive school uniform requirements. In addition to a school uniform, many schools also insist on bespoke, branded sportswear for PE lessons, particular emblems, or have contracts for branded items with specific uniform suppliers. The recent temporary 20% uplift in the school uniform grant is not enough. Many parents and children are put under stress and pushed into debt trying to meet these unnecessary costs. England and Wales have brought in legislation that ensures schools uniform requirements are affordable. The same is needed in Northern Ireland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-57733760

We know our members working in school catering do incredible work and we want to ensure they are both recognised and valued for the work they do. Sign our petition calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to support and properly fund the provision of universal free school meals for all children.

At least 1 in 10 women are impacted by mental health issues in the perinatal period, from pregnancy until their child is 2 years old. Specialist perinatal mental health services are desperately needed, comprising specialist clinical teams in every health trust, community support services, peer support, education and a specialist inpatient mother and baby unit. Campaigners and perinatal mental health experts have been working together for years calling for these vital services to be put in place but Northern Ireland remains far behind the rest of the UK as the only region with no mother and baby unit and extremely limited specialist service providers. The Health Minister has committed to establish new perinatal services as part of the 2020 Mental Health Action Plan but has not published any details about what will be included and states in the action plan that "[i]t is likely that creating this service will take some time." The Minister has still not agreed to meet the urgent need for a mother and baby unit so that women suffering from acute perinatal mental illness can be treated without being separated from their babies. Meanwhile, women in Northern Ireland have lost their lives and many more have suffered the consequences of being unable to access services. The devastating impact of covid-19 on women who have been allowed limited support from partners and family during their birthing experience and reduced access to health visiting services at home has made the situation even worse. We urgently need the Minister to fund these services and allow the professionals who are ready to deliver them to get on with this important work. Mums and babies cannot wait any longer.

Homes, heritage and health is at risk in Magherally and the surrounding Banbridge area. If the quarry is allowed to expand local wildlife’s habitat will be destroyed and local residents will have their right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes striped from them. Once the beautiful countryside in Magherally is gone, we can never get it back. Respiratory problems could worsen, silica dust is carcinogenic and could lead to increased health concerns. Noise and dust pollution will increase. Badgers, bats, foxes, yellowhammers and Irish hares will be out at risk. No amount of economical gain is worth putting lives, wildlife and heritage at risk.

Because it was stolen from the lrish people