Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has highlighted the significant issue of escalating fuel prices in Parliament, focusing on the severe impact these costs have on drivers, particularly in rural areas like Upper Bann. During Treasury question time, the DUP MP urged the Government to tackle the burdensome fuel costs, which have seen a sharp increase […]
Category: Cost of Living
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has said action is needed to reduce the crippling cost of insurance for families, workers and businesses. Speaking after the Assembly today endorsed a Sinn Féin motion calling for an investigation into recent insurance hikes and a reduction in the rate of Insurance Premium Tax, Cathal Boylan said: “I welcome […]
New research published today by the Consumer Council shows 90% of consumers in Northern Ireland are concerned about the rising cost of basics. Basics refer to the everyday living essentials such as housing, energy, food, transport and telephone/mobile and broadband costs. The cost of home energy tops consumer concerns at 91%, followed by food and […]
Two thirds of people in Northern Ireland believe rent is too expensive, a new survey has revealed. The survey by CompareNI.com asked people in Northern Ireland about their experience with renting. The majority of those surveyed (68%) said they believed rent in the region is too expensive. Recent data analysed by CompareNI.com shows rental prices […]
SDLP Opposition brings forward proposals to fight poverty, including ending two-child limit The SDLP Opposition will this week prioritise tackling poverty in Northern Ireland, using its second official Opposition Day to call on the Executive to endorse a range of vital measures, including ending the pernicious two-child limit on Universal Credit and a ban on […]
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has said delivering quality and affordable childcare can help address the growing levels of child poverty. Reacting to the Comptroller & Auditor General’s report on child poverty, the party’s childcare spokesperson said: “This report has again reinforced the need to tackle the growing levels of child poverty in the north. […]
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the Executive must work together to deliver a strategy which makes high quality childcare affordable for all families. The party’s social care spokesperson and MLA for Newry and Armagh said: “High-quality, affordable early years and childcare is absolutely essential in ensuring parents can get to work while also giving […]
Members of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have struck the rate for the incoming financial year at 6.41%(last year was 5.99%). The Domestic Rate for 2024/2025 will be 0.4676 pence. For a property valued at £133,000*, this would lead to an annual increase of £37.46 per year or £3.12per month. The Non-Domestic District Rate […]
SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland’s second largest electricity supplier, has announced a price decrease of 6.3% for their electricity customers. This decrease will be effective from 1 March 2024 and will see around £79 savings for a typical customer with a standard rate credit meter and around £77 savings for a typical customer with a standard […]
In response to the Housing Executive’s annual request for a rent increase, the Department for Communities has confirmed that from 1 April 2024, Housing Executive rents will increase by 7.7%. Rent pays for the housing services provided by the Housing Executive. This rent increase will provide funding for essential maintenance, improvements and investment while also […]
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said Sinn Féin remain opposed to household domestic charges. The party’s economy spokesperson said: “Sinn Féin remains opposed to domestic water charges. “The British Secretary of State has forced a public consultation on water charges. “This will only add to the cost of living and the cost of doing business. “I stopped the imposition of water charges when I was […]
Industrial action by school support workers, including bus drivers, set to coincide with wider public transport strike Unite the union has today notified the Education Authority of a further 24-hour strike by school support staff commencing at 00.01am on Friday 1 December. The strike action follows two days of industrial action last week and is […]