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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

SDLP: Executive Parties Need to Focus on Practical Action For Households Not Squabbling

Executive parties need to focus on agreeing a clear ask of the UK Government around a potential support package for households struggling with the huge increases in the cost of energy, SDLP Economy spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin has said ahead of an emergency committee meeting tomorrow which will take evidence from the Economy minister. The Foyle […]

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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

SDLP Calls For Executive Support Package After Energy Costs Spike

The SDLP is calling on the Executive to provide a support package to help families struggling with the spike in energy costs. Prices have risen sharply following the outbreak of conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has submitted an urgent question to Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald […]

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Business Community Constituency Newry Newry and Armagh

Newry Says Yes to BID as Businesses Back Third Term

Businesses across Newry city centre have voted overwhelmingly to retain Newry BID for a third term, with 92% voting in favour of continuing the Business Improvement District. A total of 198 businesses voted Yes in the ballot, delivering a strong vote of confidence in the organisation, and its work supporting the city centre business community. […]

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Armagh Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont

Kimmins Confirms St Patrick’s Day as a Non-Charge Day For Controlled Parking Zones

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that St Patrick’s Day will now be treated as a non-charge day for Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs). This follows a change in legislation that brings St Patrick’s Day into line with other holiday periods. The change will apply to Controlled Parking Zones in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn. Minister Kimmins […]

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Business Community Constituency Newry Newry and Armagh Newry Chamber

Newry Chamber Celebrates International Women’s Day with Sold-Out Luncheon at Killeavy Castle Estate

Newry Chamber hosted their 7th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration Lunch at a packed Killeavy Castle Estate with over 200 guests on Friday 6th March, kindly sponsored by KPMG Ireland, Southern Regional College and Younique Aesthetics Clinic. The 200+ guests enjoyed a prosecco drinks reception served in the spectacular surroundings of Killeavy Castle before proceeding into the castle pavilion […]

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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

SDLP: Executive Parties Hoodwinking Public With Inflation Busting Rates Rise

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said the Executive are attempting to hoodwink the public by introducing an inflation-busting rates rise without a plan for public service. Executive parties backed an increase of 5.0% for domestic properties and an increase of 3.0% for non-domestic properties. South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole said: “The […]

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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living

Firmus Energy to Reduce Gas Prices By Over 10%

Firmus energy Supply – one of Northern Ireland’s largest suppliers of natural gas – has today [5th March 2026] announced that it will be making a further reduction to its tariffs for all domestic customers living in the ‘Ten Towns Network’ area. Effective from 1st April 2026, this double-digit decrease will save households an average […]

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Business Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

Minister Archibald Responds to Rising Price of Home Heating Oil and Fuel

Minister Archibald has commented on the rising price of home heating oil and fuel emerging as a result of the situation in the Middle East. Minister Archibald spoke with both the British Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, and the Irish Energy Minister, Darragh O’Brien. Following those discussions, Minister Archibald said she had a constructive engagement with […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Entertainment Government Lifestyle Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Down

Newry and Downpatrick Getting Ready to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2026

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is getting ready and looking forward to once again delivering a vibrant programme of St Patrick’s Day events in Newry and Downpatrick for residents and visitors of all ages. As the home of St Patrick, the district holds a unique place in Ireland’s cultural story and this year’s programme […]

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Business Community Constituency Education Newry Newry and Armagh

Big Apprenticeship Event Highlights Growing Demand for Work-Based Learning

Southern’s Regional College’s Newry Big Apprenticeship Event, held on Thursday 5th February 2026 at the College’s Newry West Campus has witnessed a continued strong demand for apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships.   Over 853 attendees, including secondary school students and their parents, plus adult returners visited the events to learn more about work-based learning pathways available across […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

District Rates Rise Agreed for Newry, Mourne and Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has struck a new district rate of 2.8%. At the Council meeting on Monday 2 February 2026, a new domestic rate of 0.4999 pence for 2026/2027 was agreed. The new Non-Domestic Rate for 2026/27 is 31.0337 which represents an increase of 2.8%. For a property valued at £133,000, the […]

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Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Westminster

Proposed Glen Electric Redundancies a Major Blow For Newry – Hughes

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has called on the management of Glen Electric to change course following news that the company plans to cut 51 jobs from its Newry operation. The Newry and Armagh MP said: “These proposed redundancies are devastating news for workers in Glen Electric. Working families are already struggling and the threat of redundancy is […]