Latest releases
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24 releases
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Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to…
DUP agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA warns that Sinn Féin's proposed Areas of Natural Constraint Bill would shift farm payments from lowland producers to large landowners, as the Assembly Agriculture Committee moves to deliberation. She says no extra funding exists, so money would…
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Sinn Fein ANC Bill proposal Original release: Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to…Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes any UK Budget support for Northern Ireland households facing rising energy and bill costs, but says the Executive must agree its own Budget and move away from short-term crisis management. She calls for recognition of home heating oil users and rural communities.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its JobArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland
UUP spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the proposed UK-EU SPS agreement but says it does not cover customs or tariffs. He criticises Whitehall's handling of the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and EU AI Act provisions in Northern Ireland, and calls for the Stormont Brake to be used.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern IrelandArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance councillor Murray says a call-in found serious concerns over transparency and fairness in Belfast City Council's £339,242 discretionary funding redirection, which DUP and Sinn Féin backed with UUP and SDLP support. He claims legal opinion validated Alliance's concerns about procedures and…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council discretionary funding allocation call-in Original release: Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
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TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Paul Givan’s TransformED is steering education the wrong way, warning it would increase high‑stakes exams, cut coursework, narrow the curriculum and add pressure on teachers while ignoring academic selection, and urges the Minister to listen to ‑
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
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Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the Education Minister is placing an unsustainable additional workload on teachers through the TransformED reforms, ahead of an Assembly motion on the day raising concerns from teachers, principals and parents.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
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DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Naomi Long's colleague Tennyson accuses the DUP of blocking Executive participation in a UK-wide Economic Forum, calling the move self-serving and harmful to families, businesses and public sector workers facing pay disputes.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says the Budget leaves farm families unchanged, with no amendment to the Family Farm Tax and a red diesel duty cut that ends in July next year. She also criticises the halving of Business Asset Disposal Relief and the expansion of…
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Labour's Family Farm Tax implementation and red diesel duty changes Original release: Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
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UK Budget taking place without NI Budget is a shameful indictment, says Eastwood
Alliance Party MLA Eastwood says the UK Budget taking place without a Northern Ireland Budget is a shameful indictment, warning public services are on the brink. He calls for a budget with practical measures to make life more affordable and tackle the cost of doing business.
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
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McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says the Executive's inability to pass a Budget is leaving emergency department patients waiting longer, citing September figures of over 13,000 people held more than 12 hours. He points to the Ulster Hospital, where only 14.2% were seen within four hours, and…
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Patients Are Waiting While Executive Fails to Deliver Budget
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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 and Sinn Féin exchange at the Executive Office Committee distracted from civil service pay, after the Department of Finance confirmed no pay deal can reach Christmas wages without an Executive Budget.
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
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer amid energy cost pressures, saying school budgets are overstretched and schools are being left cold heading into winter.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
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The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara says the Economy Department has let down Ulster University staff after plans put up to 450 jobs at risk when no promised funding settlement arrived. He calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to address the Assembly with a plan for higher education, and urges…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University job cuts announcement Original release: The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
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People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin criticises Ulster University Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew's suggestion that fees rise above £9,000 to fund Magee expansion, calling the link cynical and urging fees be cut with the aim of abolition.
Education Original release: People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
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Press Release: Pulis – 45% Pay Hike For King Charles Grotesque Amid Hardship Crisis
People Before Profit Waterside representative Davina Pulis condemns the British government's plan to raise the sovereign grant to King Charles by 45% from 2025, calling it grotesque while families struggle and public services face cuts.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government 45% sovereign grant increase for King Charles Original release: Press Release: Pulis – 45% Pay Hike For King Charles Grotesque Amid Hardship Crisis
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Harkin: Starmer Backsliding On Two-Child Policy Disproportionately Impacts Derry
PBP Cllr Shaun Harkin criticises Keir Starmer for refusing to commit to scrapping the two-child policy on benefits, arguing the policy disproportionately affects Derry and the North due to larger households with children.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Starmer refusal to commit to scrapping the two-child benefit policy Original release: Harkin: Starmer Backsliding On Two-Child Policy Disproportionately Impacts Derry
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Tory Budget Deepens Class War
People Before Profit says Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's autumn budget continues Tory class war and will deepen inequality, criticising frozen tax thresholds, cuts to public services and unclear energy support payments, and urging supporters to join the 26 November We Demand Better march.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: 2022 UK autumn budget public spending cuts Original release: Tory Budget Deepens Class War
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Council Hardship Fund A Response To Westminster & Stormont Criminal Negligence
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says he is frustrated by a further delay to the Council Emergency Hardship Fund in Derry, with officers re-inviting bids for a Fuel Payment Partner to run it. He blames Westminster and Stormont for failing to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: Council Emergency Hardship Fund roll-out delay Original release: Council Hardship Fund A Response To Westminster & Stormont Criminal Negligence
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Kwarteng Gone, Truss Should Be Next!
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll calls for the Tory mini budget to be scrapped after Chancellor Kwarteng's resignation, and says Prime Minister Truss should resign and take her tax proposals with her.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Kwarteng resignation and Tory mini budget Original release: Kwarteng Gone, Truss Should Be Next!
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Harkin: Council Hardship Fund Hypocrites
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the Council Hardship Fund is a drop in the ocean and condemns the SDLP, Sinn Féin and DUP for blocking or cutting it, calling their actions hypocritical and urging additional funding to tackle the cost‑of‑living crisis.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Council Hardship Fund Original release: Harkin: Council Hardship Fund Hypocrites