Plans submitted to turn derelict Mount Masonic Hall into social housing
Developer intends to transform east Belfast site into accommodation for over-55s
Plans have been submitted to turn a former Masonic lodge in east Belfast into a new social housing development.
Newpark Homes (NI) Ltd has made an application to demolish Mount Masonic Hall on Park Avenue Heights and to begin work on two housing blocks.
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Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Older people urged to check for State Pension back payments worth over £8,300
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that between January 8, 2024 and March 31, 2025, a joint State Pensions corrections exercise with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), identified 12,379 State Pension underpayments to women whose National Insurance (NI) records are incorrect. In 2022, the DWP became aware of a number of State Pension cases where it appeared that historic periods of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) were missing, leading to inaccurate State Pension payments. So far, around £104 million in arrears have been paid out, with an average payment of £8,377. Retirement expert Helen Morrissey is urging older people to complete the online form or contact the Pension Service if they think they have been affected after new research from the DWP showed the main reasons why those who have received a letter from HMRC asking them to check their State Pension - as it could be wrong - have failed to do so. HMRC has sent out more than 370,000 letters - mostly to women - urging them to check their State Pension payments as they may be lower than they are entitled to. However, the DWP research indicates that the majority of people contacted by letter did not go on to apply for HRP. Barriers included: Not understanding the letter Thinking the communication was a scam Reliance on digital methods to put in a claim HRP was a scheme designed to help protect parents' and carers' entitlement to the State Pension and was replaced by NI credits from April 6, 2010. HMRC is using NI records to identify as many people as possible who might have been entitled to HRP between 1978 and 2010 and have no HRP on their NI record. After May 2000, it became mandatory to include a NI number on claims so people claiming after this point will not have been affected. The head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'This research lays bare the complexities the government faces in resolving the long running issue of underpaid State Pensions. The State Pension system has become so confusing that even when the UK Government has communicated with those who may have a claim, the complexity and jargon has put many of them off. This means many thousands are getting less than they are entitled to. 'Issues identified by the government include the use of jargon. Many simply didn't understand what was being asked of them -that mistakes made decades ago had been identified and could be rectified. 'Terms such as Home Responsibilities Protection haven't been used for many years - it's understandable that people may have little recollection as to whether they claimed it or not. 'The reliance on online forms to claim refunds was also a significant barrier, with many not feeling internet savvy enough to navigate the system without help.' Ms Morrissey continued: 'Notably many people decided not to take action because they feared doing so might actually reduce their state pension or they were scared that they had been targeted by scammers. It's clear the government faces an uphill battle if it is to successfully reunite those affected with their extra pension payments. 'The introduction of the New State Pension system in 2016 was meant to simplify things - and it should, but again challenges remain for these younger groups. Those who opted out of Child Benefit because of the High-Income Child Benefit Charge will not have known that by doing so they risk missing out on National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.' The UK Government has put measures in place to deal with this, but Ms Morrissey warns it remains something that can 'trip people up and so awareness needs to be raised on an ongoing basis'. The retirement expert added: 'Encouraging people to check their State Pension record to see if there are any gaps is vital - if there are mistakes, then they have time to correct them. 'If the gap has occurred during a period of time when they qualified for a benefit, such as Child Benefit, then they can backdate a claim and get the gaps filled for free. There's also the option of paying for voluntary contributions to make sure you get the most from your state pension.' How to use the online HRP tool You may still be able to apply for HRP, for full tax years (6 April to 5 April) between 1978 and 2010, if any of the following were true: you were claiming Child Benefit for a child under 16 you were caring for a child with your partner who claimed Child Benefit instead of you you were getting Income Support because you were caring for someone who was sick or disabled you were caring for a sick or disabled person who was claiming certain benefits You can also apply if, for a full tax year between 2003 and 2010, you were either: Who qualified automatically for HRP The guidance on explains that most people got HRP automatically if they were: getting Child Benefit in their name for a child under the age of 16 and they had given the Child Benefit Office their National Insurance number getting Income Support and they did not need to register for work because they were caring for someone who was sick or disabled If your partner claimed Child Benefit instead of you If you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2008, you cannot transfer HRP. However, you may be able to transfer HRP from a partner you lived with if they claimed Child Benefit while you both cared for a child under 16 and they do not need the HRP. They can transfer the HRP to you for any 'qualifying years' they have on their National Insurance record between April 1978 and April 2010. This will be converted into National Insurance credits. Married women or widows You cannot get HRP for any complete tax year if you were a married woman or a widow and: you had chosen to pay reduced rate Class 1 National Insurance contributions as an employee (commonly known as the small stamp) you had chosen not to pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions when self-employed If you were caring for a sick or disabled person You can only claim HRP for the years you spent caring for someone with a long-term illness or disability between April 6, 1978 and April 5, 2002. You must have spent at least 35 hours a week caring for them and they must have been getting one of the following benefits: Attendance Allowance Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate for personal care Constant Attendance Allowance The benefit must have been paid for 48 weeks of each tax year on or after April 6, 1988 or every week of each tax year before April 6, 1988. You can still apply if you are over State Pension age. You will not usually be paid any increase in State Pension that may have been due for previous years. If you were getting Carer's Allowance You do not need to apply for HRP if you were getting Carer's Allowance. You'll automatically get National Insurance credits and would not usually have needed HRP. If you were a foster carer or caring for a friend or family member's child You have to apply for HRP if, for a full tax year between 2003 and 2010, you were either: a foster carer caring for a friend or family member's child ('kinship carer') in Scotland All of the following must also be true: you were not getting Child Benefit you were not in paid work you did not earn enough in a tax year for it to count towards the State Pension If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010 Any HRP you had for full tax years before April 6, 2010 was automatically converted into National Insurance credits, if you needed them, up to a maximum of 22 qualifying years. A full overview of HRP can be found on here.
Belfast Telegraph
13 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast City Council grant planning permission for redevelopment of Glentoran's ground
The east Belfast side feel they deserve a substantial portion of the NI Football Fund, with £36.2million due to be released this year.
Business News Wales
17 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Ministry of Defence Silver ERS Award Winners Announced in Wales
Seventeen organisations in Wales are among more than 300 nationally that have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2025. Employers who have actively demonstrated their support for the Armed Forces community through implementing practical policies in the workplace are recognised with the prestigious Defence Silver ERS Award. The 17 Welsh winners will be invited to receive their award at a special ceremony at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on 17th July, where they will be honoured guests at a Royal Gun Salute. The organisations are: Active4Blood Andy Swan Driver Services Ltd Bulldogs Boxing and Community Activities Cobra Life Martial Arts Ltd Events Medical Team – Saltney Ltd Henry Williams and Son (Roads) Ltd Platts Group Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp CIC Shadow Response Security & Medical Ltd The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum Trust Business in Focus Limited IG Doors Limited MPH Construction Powys Teaching Health Board R&M Williams Limited V3 Group (UK) Ltd Bridgend College Major General Jamie Gordon, Chief Executive of the Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations, said: 'These Silver Award winners are trusted allies of Defence. They don't just talk about support — they show it, every day, through flexible policies, visible advocacy, and long-term commitment to those who serve. This is about more than good intentions; it's about practical, sustained support that strengthens our national resilience. It is very pleasing that they have been recognised for all that they do for our Reservists, Veterans and Cadets.' Gareth Jones, Veterans Project Manager, Bulldogs Boxing and Community Activities, said: 'Bulldogs BCA is incredibly proud and deeply honoured to have been awarded the Silver Award as part of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, and their families. 'We are thrilled that our efforts to provide opportunities, understanding, and practical support have been acknowledged at such a prestigious level. This award not only highlights the values at the heart of Bulldogs BCA but also strengthens our resolve to continue championing those who have served our country with dedication and respect.' To achieve Silver, organisations must proactively demonstrate that the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruitment policies. They must also actively ensure their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards Defence people issues for Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, and spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces. Under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, employers support Defence personnel and encourage others to do the same. The scheme has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold for organisations that pledge, demonstrate and advocate support for Defence and the Armed Forces community. Mr Craig Middle, the MOD's DRM for South Wales, said: 'Achieving the Silver ERS award has been a journey for all of our deserved winners. This journey has involved an exploration into what all aspects of the Defence community can do for their teams. Many congratulations to all of this year's winners. We look forward to celebrating with them in person next month.'
