麻豆社

MLA pay will drop by 15% from tomorrow. But should we be offering sympathy to the 41 politicians who, as one academic puts it, are largely blameless for the current hiatus? The MLAs who are not part of the big two - Sinn Fein and the DUP. Professor Jon Tonge makes that point in today's Belfast Telegraph. Secretary of State Karen Bradley confirmed her plan to cut MLA pay last month. From tomorrow the salaries will be reduced by around 拢7,500. That will be followed two months later by a further cut of just over 拢6,000. Stephen spoke to Jon Tonge, commentator Chris Donnelly and DUP MLA Jim Wells.

Also on the programme, the Department of Health confirmed yesterday that a further 1044 people will be recalled following a review of patient notes relating to the work of the consultant Dr Michael Watt. More than 2,500 neurology patients were recalled earlier this year and this new recall brings the total to over 3,500. Stephen spoke to SDLP Deputy Leader Nichola Mallon, David Galloway from the MS Society and Derek McCambley, who was part of the earlier recall.

And, scundered! A new survey suggests Belfast parents are the 5th most embarrassing in the entire UK. The study said 17 per cent of kids from Belfast city claim their mum and dad drink too much booze and 37 per cent said they are often left mortified by their behaviour. One in five reckon their parents go out a lot more than they do and 13 per cent of Belfast students reckon they can cook better quality food than their parents. Stephen spoke to journalist Tina Calder, former head teacher Simon Warr and our own embarrassing mum Nicola Weir.

All that and more on the biggest show in the country.