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4,470 releases
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UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says it is a shameful indictment that Northern Ireland has no budget ahead of the UK Budget during a cost-of-living crisis. She warns public services are on the brink and calls for a UK Budget with practical support to tackle business costs and boost growth.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget without NI Budget Original release: UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the launch of the Nature Recovery Strategy, calling it a chance to turn around decades of decline. He points to 12 per cent of species facing extinction and urges other parties to back the strategy without further delay.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Nature Recovery Strategy Original release: New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Swann sets out key Budget priorities
UUP MP Robin Swann sets out Budget priorities ahead of Chancellor John Healey's first Budget, calling on the Treasury to reform hospitality VAT, scrap Air Passenger Duty for Northern Ireland and give assurances on farm inheritance tax.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Swann sets out key Budget priorities (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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PBP Support Daisy Hill Maternity March
People Before Profit's Newry and Armagh representative Marc Mac Seáin praises a large march against the suspension of maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. He warns the cut would burden families travelling to Craigavon and calls for accountability from the Southern Trust, the Department of…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: PBP Support Daisy Hill Maternity March (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says Executive inaction on a budget is leaving patients exposed as emergency department waiting times worsen, citing September figures and Ulster Hospital performance. He calls for funding to plan winter pressures, staffing and services, including fuller use of…
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging the UK Government to intervene over proposed BBC Northern Ireland cuts to Irish-language services, including a reported halving of its Irish-language unit staffing.
Disability and equality Issue: BBC NI Irish-language services proposed cuts announcement Original release: Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says a bitter DUP-Sinn Féin clash at the Executive Office Committee drew attention from the Department of Finance confirmation that civil servants' pay settlement cannot reach Christmas wages because no Budget has been agreed, calling on Ministers to…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont brake request on Budget agreement Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood backs home carers ahead of a Unison-organised public meeting in Derry, calling on Stormont to deliver the promised real living wage and help carers with rising fuel costs.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone seeks an urgent meeting with BBC Northern Ireland leadership over reported job losses and restructuring, wanting clarity on effects for staff, local output and Irish language services. He also plans talks with Foras na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans Original release: McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath accuses the Executive of drawing health workers into a dispute with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant over pay, after the BMA confirmed further doctors' strike action in November. He says the Executive should stop trading blame and act for patients and staff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Stormont handling of health service pay disputes Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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British government making a political choice not to properly fund the north – O’Dowd
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd says the British budget on Wednesday will not break from past approaches, arguing the Executive is underfunded because of political choices, not a lack of money. He calls for public sector pay rises and for banks and oil and gas firms' profits to be taxed.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: British government making a political choice not to properly fund the north – O’Dowd (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Home Care Workers Can No Longer be Ignored
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says he spoke at a UNISON public meeting backing home care workers, citing low wages, wage theft and poor conditions in the private sector. He calls on workers to join the trade union and urges Stormont to pass the Good Jobs Bill.
Economy and employment Health Original release: Harkin: Home Care Workers Can No Longer be Ignored (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Paid domestic abuse safe leave will help support workers – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Economy Minister's plan to bring in 10 days of paid leave for domestic abuse victims from April 2027, available from day one of employment and without needing to give a reason. She says it will help workers stay safe without losing their jobs.
Economy and employment Justice and policing Original release: Paid domestic abuse safe leave will help support workers – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland
UUP MP Robin Swann writes to the Chancellor urging HM Treasury to consider abolishing or substantially, gradually reducing Air Passenger Duty for flights from Northern Ireland airports ahead of the Budget, arguing Dublin Airport gains a competitive edge.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate
Alliance MLA John Blair has been selected to stand for Alliance in South Antrim at the 2027 Assembly election, pledging better rural facilities, lower living costs, animal welfare, environmental protection and cuts to health waiting lists.
Other Health Original release: John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says sectarian attacks on young people in Belfast must be condemned, and accuses the DUP of inflaming sectarian and racist tensions to deflect from its political crisis, linking this to Stormont cuts and housing failures.
Community relations and legacy Economy and employment Original release: Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Biomethane Strategy consultation, six months after an Assembly motion she says called for one, and sets out three tests the strategy must meet. These include a stable, inflation-proofed support mechanism, planning and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Butler thanks ambulance staff ahead of busy winter period
Health Minister Robbie Butler thanks Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff after visiting its Belfast Integrated Clinical Hub, praising telephone and on-scene treatment models that cut demand on emergency departments before winter. The release cites 2025-26 figures of 44,064 incidents resolved…
Health Original release: Minister Butler thanks ambulance staff ahead of busy winter period (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget
UUP MLA Andy Allen calls for further targeted cost of living support from the UK Budget, and for longer-term measures on energy efficiency and fuel poverty, after a Northern Ireland Assembly motion on the cost of living.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)