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

MP Expresses Concern at Budget Implications

With the Labour Government’s Budget just days away, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her concerns about the possible implications for farmers and agri-food businesses in Northern Ireland. “The facts remain unknown, but there is strong speculation in Westminster that the 2024 Budget will focus on significant tax hikes and spending cuts. Chancellor Rachel […]

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Armagh Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Westminster

Hughes Tells British Secretary of State ‘Release Growth Deal Funding Now to Unlock Huge Benefits’

A delegation including Sinn Féin representatives Cathal Mallaghan MP and Dáire Hughes MP have today met British Secretary of State Hilary Benn urging him to release funding for the Mid South West Growth Deal. A number of councillors including ABC Council Mayor Sarah Duffy, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Mayor Ciarán McQuillan, Mid Ulster […]

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Government International Politics Westminster

SDLP: Israel Has Completely Disregarded International Order

Speaking during an Urgent Question to the UK Foreign Minister on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP condemned Israel’s repeated and blatant disregard for the rule of law and the international community, including the targeting of Irish UN peacekeepers. South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said: “People have […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Politics South Down Stormont Westminster

Stormont Should Utilise Surplus Flood Funds to Enhance Community Resilience – Hazzard

Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has asked the Stormont Executive to utilise surplus flood funding to help enhance the resiliency of local community groups to be able to respond to extreme weather events such as flooding and snow storms.  The South Down MP was speaking following a meeting this week with the Newcastle Community Flooding […]

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Campaigns Community Cost of Living Government Health Politics Stormont Westminster

UNISON Disappointed No NHS Pay Offer Made

By UNISON NI Statement: UNISON NIs Health Committee is deeply disappointed at the fact that no pay offer has yet been made to Health staff.  This leaves us once again almost a year behind other parts of the UK and NHS and in a situation where pay parity is not being maintained as was promised.  […]

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Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Ministers Attend First Meeting of Council of Nations and Regions

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh yesterday (Friday 11th October). The theme of the inaugural meeting was ‘Economic Growth and Inward Investment’, and the Ministers highlighted why Northern Ireland is an attractive investment opportunity and discussed how best […]

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Community Constituency Government International Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Westminster

Newry Gaza Vigil Told -“The World Cannot Turn a Blind Eye to This Searing Barbarity!”

Several hundred people attending a vigil to mark 12 months of the ongoing conflict in Gaza in Newry City heard Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes say that inaction was not an option- the world can no longer turn a blind eye to this searing barbarity. The Sinn Féin told the gathering, “Israel has murdered […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Legacy South Down Warrenpoint Westminster

Sinn Féin MP’s In London to Support Investigative Journalists at Tribunal

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane is today in London alongside Chris Hazzard MP to attend a tribunal which will examine allegations of police spying on journalists. The North Belfast MP said: “We are in London today to support the groundbreaking work of Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, and other journalists. “These investigative journalists have been […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Westminster

People’s Assembly on Irish Unity to Be Hosted In Armagh

Dáire Hughes, Newry and Armagh MP, has announced that Sinn Féin will be holding a People’s Assembly on Irish Unity in Armagh City on 29 October. Dáire Hughes said: “Constitutional change is now fixed on the political horizon. Conversations about the constitutional future of the island of Ireland are happening across the country and beyond”.  That […]

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Agriculture Business Community Constituency Government Lurgan Upper Bann Westminster

Lockhart Backs Industry Taskforce Calls For Increased Support For Flock Owners

MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her concerns about the future of Northern Ireland’s sheep sector and is backing industry calls for more financial support for flock owners. “The 2023 census confirms that around 38% of farmers in Northern Ireland keep sheep, equating to approximately two million head. Although the sheep sector is worth over £109m […]

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

MP Carla Lockhart Welcomes Pay and Grading Review Agreement for School Support Staff

Carla Lockhart MP has welcomed the good news that school support staff across Northern Ireland will benefit from an agreed pay and grading review. This resolution, delivered by DUP Minister Paul Givan MLA in partnership with representative unions, marks a significant step forward for the dedicated staff who play such a vital role in supporting […]

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Business Government Politics Stormont Westminster

ONS: Inflation Holding Steady

By The Office of National Statistics Prices Day Consumer price inflation, UK: August 2024 Producer price inflation, UK: August 2024 Commenting on today’s inflation figures for August, ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said: “Inflation held steady in August as various price fluctuations offset each other.   “The main movements came from air fares, in particular to […]