Debra Savage

American, long time resident in Northern Ireland. Political anorak. All tweets and opinions are my own. Now also on Blue Sky:

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@aravosis 🤣🤣🤣

[Robbie Butler MLA @RobbieButlerMLA]

Accountability, transparency and truth are important.

As a recent convert to EV car travel, I have made occasional use of the charging facilities for partial charging, however my main vehicle charging is always done at home.

I have claimed only those allowances available under the rules agreed by the Assembly. The Assembly Travel Allowance is not a mileage reimbursement or a direct repayment of fuel or electricity costs. Rather, it is intended to contribute towards the general costs of travel associated with attending Parliament Buildings, including vehicle wear and tear, insurance, motor tax, maintenance and depreciation.

The provision of workplace EV charging is fully compliant with Assembly policy and HMRC guidance. Across the UK, workplace EV charging is treated as a separate tax-exempt benefit and does not affect entitlement to travel expenses or allowances. It is also a UK Government wide policy ambition to move to greener and more sustainable transport systems.

The EV charging infrastructure has been introduced by the Assembly Commission in 2015 as part of its wider environmental ambition to reduce emissions, support more sustainable travel choices and encourage the transition to lower-carbon transport options.

However, recognising the public interest in this matter, I have ceased using the facility and I look forward to an updated policy which continues to recognise the environmental benefits of EV travel while also maintaining public confidence and appropriately balancing the interests of taxpayers.

As an individual, and in line with my party’s wishes, I believe it is important to maintain public confidence in the proper use of public funds. While I have acted fully within the rules and any benefit received was legitimately accrued under the arrangements in place, I am happy to engage with the Assembly authorities on this matter, including consideration of repaying any benefit deemed appropriate.

[Richard Schiff @Richard_Schiff]

Richard Schiff: ‘If Jesus was alive today he’d point to Martin Sheen and say, “That’s what I was talking about”’ | Life and style | The Guardian https://t.co/HvFzyFD6wt

[Seth Abramson @SethAbramson]

This cartoon isn't an exaggeration—not even 1% an exaggeration.

Weeks ago it seemed this far-right Supreme Court would still block any map intentionally authored to be racist.

We just learned that that's no longer true.

We have reentered Jim Crow, and it's a national disgrace.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@TiarnanTweets @StephenNolan @BBCNolan The allowance is also for all other costs associated with owning a car: maintenance, depreciation etc. The same reason that public servants get (now) 55p per mile when they have to drive somewhere other than their office.

[The Editorial Board @johnastoehr]

Mehmet Oz is either a moron or a liar. Either way, he's wrong.

A THREAD.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@SamaHoole Hoggett is lovely—can get it at a farmer’s market.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@GarethBurns18 @StephenNolan @BBCNolan Anything within the curtilage is the Assembly. The outer car park is DoF; upper is the Assembly.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@AndrewS32704070 @StephenNolan @BBCNolan @bbcradioulster @BBCSounds No but if they don’t follow the rules for MLAs asking to receive reimbursement for expenses, they won’t get the reimbursement. MLAs are on PAYE like everyone else.

[Selina j 🧚🏻🌙⚒ @OfSelina]

If you’re White living in England which is over 80% White and you genuinely think there is an anti-white campaign against the White population by institutions that are predominantly run by White people I genuinely do not know what to say…

… Other than get off social media

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@AndrewS32704070 @StephenNolan @BBCNolan @bbcradioulster @BBCSounds They don’t claim for mileage. Any expenses claim is against receipts. Since they get a set amount, there is no ‘claim’.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@AndrewS32704070 @StephenNolan @BBCNolan @bbcradioulster @BBCSounds How is that not clear?

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@AndrewS32704070 @StephenNolan @BBCNolan @bbcradioulster @BBCSounds MLAs don’t claim for mileage. They get a set amount for travel to PB three days a week based on how far they have to travel. Any travel to PB above three days is not reimbursed, nor any travel around their constituencies.

[Rasmus Jarlov @RasmusJarlov]

@KlausNyengaard @kurrild @USAmbDenmark No. The relationship will never come back to be as good as it used to be. We can still work together when our goals are aligned. But we will not trust the USA like we used to ever again.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@sensible_head @News_Letter Just for nothing, MLAs don’t get 45p per mile. They get an allowance based on how far they have to travel to
Parliament Buildings on three days a week. If they go to PB on a 4th day they don’t get any extra. Money is for maintenance etc as well as fuel.

[James Lucas @JamesLucasIT]

“Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing.”

- Fyodor Dostoevsky

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@RadioFreeTom Or if the US had a president who wasn’t in Putin’s pocket.

[Debra Savage @strandedinNI]

@gerrylynch A life well lived.