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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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Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Westminster

Rising Energy Bills Demands Immediate Action From British Government – Dáire Hughes MP

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has called on the British government to bring forward a package of measures immediately to help people facing rising energy bills, especially home heating oil. The Newry and Armagh MP was speaking after a meeting with British government ministers from the Treasury and Department of Energy. “Due to the reckless war in the Middle East, energy bills have spiralled, placing […]

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Campaigns Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Cost of Living Crisis Tops Agenda In Meeting Between Sinn Féin and British Prime Minister

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald T.D this morning led a party delegation to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She was accompanied by Deputy Leader Michelle O’Neill MLA, and Pat Cullen MP.  Ms. McDonald said “As we approach the thirtieth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement peace is secure, and our national journey […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont

MLAs Pay to Rise From £53,000 to £67,200 Per Year (Increase of 26.8%)

The Independent Remuneration Board (the Board), which is responsible for setting the salaries and pensions of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), has made its determination on MLA pay for the current mandate. Following a two-week consultation carried out with MLAs, the Assembly Commission and the Assembly Members’ Pension Trustees, the Board has confirmed the […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Housing Newry Newry and Armagh

Cost of Renting In Newry, Mourne and Down Up 53% Since 2020

The cost of renting a home in Newry, Mourne and Down has increased by 53% since the start of the Covid pandemic, new research from PropertyPal reveals today. The average rent on a residential property in the borough was £567 in Q1 2020 and had increased to £867 at the end of 2025, according to […]

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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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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann Westminster

Global Instability Highlights Need For Prioritisation of UK Food Security: Lockhart

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said that escalating global instability highlights the urgent need for the United Kingdom to prioritise national food security and protect domestic agriculture. Commenting on the continuing war in Ukraine and the growing instability in the Middle East, the MP warned that geopolitical conflict is increasingly exposing the fragility of […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

Consumer Council Welcomes Firmus Energy 10.10% Tariff Reduction

firmus energy today has announced a reduction on their regulated gas tariffs of 10.10%, for domestic and small business customers in the Ten Towns gas network areas, effective from 01 April 2026. The firmus energy tariff reduction means that the annual gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter will be reduced by around […]

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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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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government International Politics Stormont

Middle East Tensions Drive Sharp Rise In Home Heating Oil Costs

Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA has warned that rising global instability is now directly impacting households across Northern Ireland, with home heating oil prices climbing sharply. Diana Armstrong MLA said: “The escalating conflict in the middle east is once again demonstrating how events thousands of miles away can have direct and immediate consequences […]