Andy Allen MLA

14/10/2026

A bit outside of Lisnasharragh but I spotted this trolley dumped in the water at the Hollow while out for a walk the other night.

Sad to think how far away someone had to bring it from to dump it there.

Anyway, it’s been reported and will hopefully be cleared soon, before it causes any further obstruction.

If there are any local problem areas you’d like a hand getting reported or cleared, get in touch!

06/10/2026

Pleased to join the Simon Community this morning at Parliament Buildings for the launch of their priorities ahead of the 2027 Assembly Election.

Homelessness is one of the biggest issues my team and I support constituents with on a daily basis.

Simon Community are calling for a greater focus on delivering more homes, strengthening homelessness prevention and improving access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness, priorities which I wholeheartedly endorse.

These are important issues and, with homelessness pressures continuing to grow, we need to make sure prevention and early intervention are at the heart of our response.

23/09/2026

Delighted to pop down to Queen’s yesterday and spend some time at the Ulster Unionist stand. Great to see plenty of interest.

If you’re attending Queen’s and would like to get involved, or simply find out a bit more, you can register your interest below or by emailing: [email protected]

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQGbtb1Zp1XAZWYK_U4dh8yH6bihNEqdWeUJIyLWeVz6PjCw/viewform

19/09/2026

Good to catch up with Ruth from the Family Fund.

We had a useful chat about the support they provide to families raising disabled and seriously ill children, and some of the pressures families are facing.

Thanks to Ruth for taking the time to call in and for the work Family Fund continues to do across Northern Ireland.

For further information on the Family Fund, the support they provide and eligibility visit: https://www.familyfund.org.uk

17/09/2026

Delighted to pop into Strathearn School for their annual Prize Day this afternoon.

It was great to hear first-hand about the tremendous achievements of pupils across the school over the past year.

Well done to all the girls, and to the teachers and staff for the support and encouragement they provide throughout the year.

Congratulations to everyone receiving a prize today.

15/09/2026

Over the last number of days, I have received a significant amount of correspondence and several calls from constituents regarding the proposed Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill currently before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Many of those who have contacted me have raised concerns about aspects of the Bill and the potential implications of some of its provisions.

Given the limited time remaining in this Assembly mandate, the Committee for Communities is seeking views on the proposed legislation in advance of the Bill completing its Second Stage.

Whatever your view on the Bill, I would encourage anyone with an interest in it to read the proposals for themselves and make their views known directly to the Committee.

The Bill can be viewed here:

https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/legislation/2022-2027-mandate/primary-legislation-bills-22-27-mandate/conversion-practices-criminalisation-bill/

The Committee consultation can be accessed here, or through the Assembly post below:

https://consult.nia-yourassembly.org.uk/communities/conversion-practices-criminalisation-bill/

Share your views on the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill.
The Bill proposes offences relating to: ✔ Providing conversion therapy
✔ Coercive conversion behaviour
✔ Taking a person outside Northern Ireland for conversion practices
Evidence submitted to the Committee can help inform consideration of the Bill.
🔗 https://lk.cmte.fyi/ConversionPracticesCriminalisationBill
📅 Deadline: 1 October 2026

14/09/2026

🏡 I was pleased to co-sponsor Housing Rights’ “Transforming Prevention Together” event at Stormont today.

The event brought together people from across the housing and homelessness sector to look at how we can do more to prevent homelessness before individuals and families reach crisis point.

That has to mean earlier intervention, better access to advice and support, and learning from what is working elsewhere across the UK.

But prevention alone will not solve the wider housing crisis.

We need to see greater investment in social and affordable housing, something I have consistently pressed for. Too many people are spending far too long in temporary accommodation or struggling to find a suitable home they can afford.

There is no quick fix, but we need to get better at preventing homelessness where we can, while also tackling the shortage of suitable homes.

Thanks to Housing Rights for bringing people together today and continuing to keep this important issue on the agenda.

13/09/2026

Thank you to Andy Allen MLA for taking the time to call back to ABHS on Friday 💙💛
He was taking part in the annual Government & Politics Q&A with several of our local politicians. We'll get a full update on FB later this week.👍🏻

09/09/2026

£100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme now open

Applications are now open for a £100 digital card to help with the cost of home heating oil.

You may be eligible if home heating oil is your main source of heating, you live in Northern Ireland and you either:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• the Constant Attendance Allowance element of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• the Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement element of the War Pension Scheme
• or, if you are single or part of a couple, have a net annual income below £30,000 after tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.

The scheme has qualifying periods in April 2026 and November 2026, and applications must be made before 31 March 2027. Only one £100 digital card is available per eligible residential address.

Apply here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/apply-online-home-heating-oil-support

If you are an East Belfast resident and need help with your application, please don’t hesitate to contact my office on 028 9046 3900. We will be happy to assist.

If you cannot speak or hear on the phone, text and video relay services are available on the oil support scheme contact page - https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/contacts/home-heating-oil-support-scheme