Latest releases
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45 releases
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Leaders of Plaid Cymru, SNP and Sinn Féin agree Memorandum of Understanding to build towards constitutional change
Sinn Féin, with Plaid Cymru and the SNP, announces a Memorandum of Understanding between party leaders to co-operate on economy, energy and Europe. It calls on the British Government to prepare for and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Plaid Cymru, SNP and Sinn Féin leaders Cardiff meeting on constitutional change Original release: Leaders of Plaid Cymru, SNP and Sinn Féin agree Memorandum of Understanding to build towards constitutional change (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite secures commitment to recognise contribution of women to Belfast
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite says Council has agreed to honour women's contribution to the city with the Freedom of Belfast, after raising the gender imbalance among past recipients. Proposals will be developed with the women's sector to name four women for the honour…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast Freedom of the City honour for women proposal Original release: De Faoite secures commitment to recognise contribution of women to Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons hails 17% increase in social home building
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a 17% year-on-year rise in new social home starts in 2025/26, to 1,765, credited to a £210 million building programme and the largest-ever Social Housing Development Programme investment. He says more work remains and points to reviews of grant rates…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Social home starts rise 17% in 2025/26 Original release: Lyons hails 17% increase in social home building (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan says a visit to Holywood Nursery School shows the Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for children with special educational needs. He cites a new sensory room, extra classroom assistant hours and £4.5million invested in 2025/26 across…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Givan visit to Holywood Nursery School on Pre-School Inclusion Fund Original release: Givan: Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for… (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 to tackle fuel poverty, saying it has Executive backing and will be paired with a £150million Warm Healthy Homes Fund next year.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026-2036 launch Original release: Lyons launches Warm Healthy Homes Strategy for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a public consultation on the draft ten-year Executive Disability Strategy for 2025 to 2035, with commitments including a Regional Disability Forum, a review of disability legislation and an annual Disability Data compendium. The consultation runs…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £150,000 goodwill grant, distributed via Homeless Connect, to fund festive meals, social events and presents for those supported by homelessness services over Christmas.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: £150,000 Christmas goodwill grant for homelessness services Original release: Communities Minister announces £150,000 seasonal funding for homeless… (opens in a new tab)
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Poppy Appeal no longer asked to follow EU rules following Swann’s intervention
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes confirmation from the Northern Ireland Secretary that Royal British Legion poppies and merchandise fall outside EU product rules, with guidance to be updated so Poppy Appeal organisers no longer need an EU compliance contact.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Poppy Appeal EU GPSR regulation guidance update Original release: Poppy Appeal no longer asked to follow EU rules following Swann’s intervention (opens in a new tab)
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Polasaí stairiúil Gaeilge aontaithe ag comhairleoirí Bhéal Feirste – Ó Néill
Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Ó Néill welcomes Belfast City Council's approval of a unified Irish language policy, including bilingual corporate branding and signage in council buildings, which he calls historic and aimed at strengthening Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council unified Irish language policy approval Original release: Polasaí stairiúil Gaeilge aontaithe ag comhairleoirí Bhéal Feirste – Ó Néill (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Lyons welcomes the construction of social homes in Cushendall
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visited a 34-home social housing phase at Kilnadore Brae in Cushendall and announced the development will be named Lir View, chosen from pupils' suggestions in local primary schools.
Housing Issue: Lir View social housing naming at Kilnadore Brae, Cushendall Original release: Minister Lyons welcomes the construction of social homes in Cushendall (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister announces £3.3m for Housing Rights
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a three-year funding package worth £3.3 million for Housing Rights, which he says will support services helping people most in need, following a visit to the charity in East Belfast.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Housing Rights three-year funding package from Communities Department Original release: Communities Minister announces £3.3m for Housing Rights (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons commits to ‘doing things differently’ in initial Budget…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons sets out initial 2025-26 budget allocations, including £3.7m extra for homelessness and supporting people, £2.8m for care-leaver accommodation, and reforms to Discretionary Support Grant to tackle fraud.
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Communities Minister initial 2025-26 budget allocations Original release: Lyons commits to ‘doing things differently’ in initial Budget… (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School
Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod on a £4.9 million School Enhancement Programme at Kilronan Special School, Magherafelt, announcing a single‑storey extension with specialist classrooms and support facilities, and saying the investment will benefit pupils, staff and local families and
Education Disability and equality Issue: Kilronan Special School SEP project start Original release: Education Minister cuts first sod at Kilronan Special School (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations
Alliance Killultagh Councillor Claire Kemp welcomes the installation of communication boards in Lisburn and Castlereagh Council parks, saying the facilities make play spaces accessible for children with speech, language and communication needs and praising the timing during World Autism Acceptance
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Communication boards installed in Lisburn & Castlereagh parks Original release: Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces new £153m FTC funding programme for Co-Ownership,…
DUP's Housing Minister Gordon Lyons announces £153m in Financial Transactions Capital for Co-Ownership to support 4,000 households into homes over four years, including 1,200 new builds. He also confirms the property value cap rises from £195,000 to £210,000 from 1 April.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Co-Ownership £153m FTC funding and property value limit increase Original release: Minister announces new £153m FTC funding programme for Co-Ownership,… (opens in a new tab)
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Affordable rent scheme to deliver 300 homes
DUP Housing Minister Gordon Lyons announces funding to Maple & May to deliver 300 Intermediate Rent homes at below-market rents, with some construction starting within a year and first tenancies targeted from late 2026.
Housing Issue: Maple & May Intermediate Rent funding for 300 homes Original release: Affordable rent scheme to deliver 300 homes (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has published the SEN Reform Agenda and a five-year Delivery Plan, setting out short-term actions to rebuild trust with parents, build workforce capability, improve placements and support sustained funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Reform Agenda and five-year Delivery Plan publication Original release: Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister Lyons reflects on year of real delivery
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons marks his first year in office, highlighting the Defective Premises Act, a Housing Supply Strategy targeting 100,000 homes, the Northern Ireland Football Fund and £17million for winter fuel support, and says delivery will continue.
Housing Social security and welfare Original release: Communities Minister Lyons reflects on year of real delivery (opens in a new tab)
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NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA says Executive Ministers have agreed to introduce his Sign Language Bill to the Assembly, which recognises British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. He plans to introduce it in February and points to departmental investment in trained…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive agreement to introduce Sign Language Bill to Assembly Original release: NI Executive agreement for Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Reform begins for children with special educational needs
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a reform agenda and five-year delivery plan for special educational needs support, moving away from one-to-one adult support toward more flexible school-led models. He also plans a bespoke early-years programme for toddlers aged two and three, including…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Givan: Reform begins for children with special educational needs (opens in a new tab)