Pathway Funding essential for positive outcomes

Carla Lockhart MP • May 9, 2023

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has reiterated her call to the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education, Mark Browne, to protect the Pathway Fund and resist cuts to the vital support provided through this funding stream. The DUP representative met with providers supported by this funding on Thursday.

Speaking after the meeting, the DUP MP said:

 

“The Pathway Fund is a vital resource in the support of some of our most vulnerable children.

 

It was clear from speaking with some of the providers of services supported by the fund just how important this funding is. It is helping to shape and impact upon young lives who need that little bit more help and support. 10,000 children would be impacted if this funding is removed, and 500 jobs could be at risk. It is simply unacceptable that the Department would even consider removing this support.

 

We need a rethink by officials. We need officials to come out and talk to providers and to hear directly what their proposals would mean for children. I have invited the Permanent Secretary to visit a local playgroup and it will be interesting to see if he takes up this offer.

 

I will continue to engage with the Department on this matter and strongly advocate for the needs of children, and those employed in the sector.”

Share

Minister must act to support next generation farmers in NI

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 13, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has raised concerns about the lack of financial support for young people in Northern Ireland who are serious about a future in farming.

Government must listen and review damaging inheritance tax reforms

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is urging the government to listen to the electorate and reconsider its controversial approach to British farming.

Lockhart pledges support for Mind Your Head campaign

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart pledged her support for the Farm Safety Foundation’s Yellow Wellies Mind Your Head campaign, during this week’s parliamentary drop-in event at Westminster.

Lockhart Praises Young Entrepreneurs at Rushmere Trade Fair

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the talent, creativity and confidence shown by local pupils at the Young Enterprise Big Market Trade Fair, held at Rushmere Shopping Centre . Schools from Banbridge , Lurgan and Portadown were well represented at the event, which showcased a wide range of student-led business ideas and products. 

Lockhart Praises Reopening of Captain Cook’s in Banbridge

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart , has welcomed the reopening of Captain Cook’s, describing the revamped Banbridge eatery as a real boost for the local area.

Lockhart Condemns Approval of Puberty Blockers Trial Involving Children in Northern Ireland

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 10, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly condemned the decision to approve participation in a UK wide puberty blockers clinical trial involving children, describing the move as a serious failure of safeguarding and child protection.

Lockhart Secures High-Level Royal Mail Meeting Over Unacceptable Postal Delays in Banbridge and Across Upper Bann

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 9, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has secured a high-level meeting with senior management from Royal Mail in London to address ongoing and unacceptable postal delays in Banbridge and across the wider Upper Bann constituency, with particular concern around delays to vital correspondence such as hospital appointment letters.

Lockhart welcomes judicial review and peer recognition of burdensome farm tax reforms

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 5, 2026
Confirmation that the High Court has ordered an urgent judicial review into inheritance tax reforms has been welcomed by the DUP’s Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP.

Lockhart accuses SES of paralysing NI’s agricultural planning process

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 5, 2026
The DUP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has accused Shared Environment Services (SES) of paralysing Northern Ireland’s planning system.

Stark Cancer Statistics Expose Unacceptable Delays

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 4, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has warned that shocking new figures on cancer treatment in Northern Ireland expose a health service struggling to deliver timely care and has called for urgent action including free travel support for patients and ring-fenced funding to address chronic delays.