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Business Government Politics South Armagh Stormont

Update from Finance Minister on the Draft Budget

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has updated the Assembly on the Draft Budget and additional funding. Updating MLAs, Minister Murphy set out legal advice he has received on how budgetary matters could be progressed in the absence of an Executive. Minister Murphy said: “I have now received detailed legal advice and unfortunately it is not possible to […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Stormont

Success of £11m Covid Business Grant Programme Praised

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today praised the Covid-19 Productive Investment Capital Grant (PICG), which supported 103 businesses to invest in new technology and processes to improve efficiency and resilience. The scheme was developed by Invest Northern Ireland to help businesses to adapt to, and recover from, the challenges of Covid-19. It received £11million of funding […]

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Business Election 2022 Government South Armagh Stormont

Procurement Changes Will Benefit Local Companies – Murphy

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced a series of changes to public procurement which will bolster local supply chains, protect human rights and maximise opportunities for voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors. The changes include a new policy for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. Making the announcement during a visit to Clearer Water, social […]

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ABC Council Business Election 2022 Government Lurgan Politics Upper Bann

Increased All Ireland Trade Good For Economy- Mackle

Sinn Féin council group leader Liam Mackle has said increased all-Ireland trade is good for our economy and is creating jobs and prosperity. The ABC representative said: “Over the past year there has been a significant increase in all-Ireland trade, the value of goods sold from north to south has increased by an unprecedented 65% to […]

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ABC Council Business Council Government Lurgan Upper Bann

Mackle Welcomes Economic Boost and Increased Trade

Sinn Féin council group leader Liam Mackle has welcomed the economic boost and increased trade that the protocol has brought to Belfast Harbour. The ABC representative said:  “I welcome the significant economic boost that the protocol has clearly brought to Belfast Harbour. “The Harbour handled a record level of trade last year, an increase of 9% with […]

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Business Election 2022 Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Votes to Ban Zero Hours Contracts

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed progress on a Sinn Féin bill to Ban Zero Hour Contracts being imposed on workers and instead introducing banded hours.   The Bill is designed to ensure no worker is forced to work zero hour contracts unless they explicitly state the arrangement suits them. Speaking in the Assembly during the Bill debate Mr O’Dowd […]

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Business Council Government Newry NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Council Strikes 2022/23 Rate Keeping Increase Below 2%

At the Council meeting of 7 February 2022, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council struck a district rate for the April 2022 – March 2023 financial year of 1.95%. The Domestic Rate for 2022/2023 will be 0.4224 pence (2021/2022 equivalent 0.4067 pence). The Non-Domestic District Rate for 2022/23 will be 24.9209 pence (2021/2022 equivalent 23.9970 […]

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Business Council Government Newry NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Rate Set to Protect Public Services Across Newry Mourne & Down – Cllr. Ó Muirí

Councillor Barra Ó Muirí, Group Leader for Sinn Féin on Newry Mourne & Down Council has commented on the striking of the District Rate of 1.95%. “Sinn Féin’s priority in the striking of the rate has been to protect and improve public services, and to strike a fair rate for workers and families.  “Last year […]

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Armagh Banbridge Business Community Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

Finalists Announced for ABC Council Business Awards

A record response from local business has seen almost 50 shortlisted businesses and individuals from over 120 entries making it through to the finals of the ABC Business Awards. 48 finalists, chosen by a panel of independent judges from an unprecedented number of entries, will now be interviewed to determine the winner in each of […]

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Agriculture Business Government Upper Bann Westminster

Lockhart Meets Cross-Party Group of MPs to Rally Support for Red Diesel Rethink

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has met with MPs from across the various Westminster parties this week to garner support for a joint approach to the Treasury for a red diesel rebate rethink.  Carla Lockhart said:  “The debate I hosted in Parliament last week had cross-party support – Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, SNP MPs all […]

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Business Newry Newry Chamber

Newry Chamber launch Digital Conference

Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade have launched their first ever NI Digital Marketing Conference.  The new event will take place on Thursday 24th February 2022 (8am to 1pm) at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry. It will include keynote speakers, case studies and an exhibition space. The event is supported by principal sponsors […]

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Business Newry Newry Chamber

Newry Chamber Board Reaction to the Resignation of Paul Givan MLA as the First Minister of Northern Ireland

Newry Chamber Board reaction to the resignation of Paul Givan MLA as the First Minister of Northern Ireland The Newry Chamber Board is extremely disappointed to hear the news that Paul Givan MLA has resigned, plunging Stormont into uncertainty.  Tony McKeown CEO said “We have been consistent in our discussions with all government parties that […]