Statements similar to “Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland”
From every party, ranked by similarity of meaning. Only other parties · Back to the release
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Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken welcomes the draft UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food checks, but warns that Northern Ireland will stay split from the rest of the UK on many regulations and that the new EU customs code will increase trade divergence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
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Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes UK-EU decisions confirmed ahead of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on 10 November, under which 'not at risk' parcels moving to Northern Ireland consumers would avoid new EU handling fees. He says uncertainty remains over how the EU AI Act applies under the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
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Unionist Leaders and Inter-Trade UK Business Association urge the Secretary of State to stop EU Regulation 2026/2108 deepening the Irish Sea customs border
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA, TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP and ITUKBA chair Peter Summerton call on the Secretary of State to apply the Stormont Brake and halt EU Regulation 2026/2108, saying it deepens the Irish Sea customs border, adds bureaucracy and harms GB‑NI trade.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Unionist Leaders and Inter-Trade UK Business Association urge the Secretary of State to stop EU Regulation 2026/2108 deepening the Irish Sea customs borderArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Joint statement by leaders of the UUP and TUV and the Chair of the Inter-Trade UK Business Association on Stormont Brake
TUV leader Jim Allister, joined by UUP leader Jon Burrows and ITUKBA chair Peter Summerton, calls for the Secretary of State to apply the Stormont Brake against the EU Union Customs Code, which they say deepens the customs border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Joint statement by leaders of the UUP and TUV and the Chair of the Inter-Trade UK Business Association on Stormont BrakeArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Swann responds to Budget
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes £7.5 million for cyber and AI research in Belfast and £1 million for a Northern Ireland Investment Summit, but says the Budget's £270 million Barnett consequentials are spread over four years and fall short. He calls for clarity on allocation this financial year and…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Swann responds to Budget
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TUV Welcomes The Triggering of the Stormont Brake After a Month of Drawing Attention to Dangerous New EU Regulation
Traditional Unionist Voice welcomes the triggering of the Stormont Brake on EU Regulation 2026/2108 after a month of drawing attention to the legislation, saying the new customs code will harm everyday life in Northern Ireland and deepen the UK‑EU division.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: TUV Welcomes The Triggering of the Stormont Brake After a Month of Drawing Attention to Dangerous New EU RegulationArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a draft agreement between the EU and the British government on food and plant products, calling it further evidence that Brexit was a failed political project. She says she met the British Cabinet Office Windsor Framework team about the announcement.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
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The RCN Strike
People Before Profit publishes a transcript of an RCN strike-day interview at Ulster Hospital, where RCN representatives say nurses remain out of pay parity with England, Scotland and Wales, causing recruitment and retention problems and unsafe staffing.
Health Economy and employment Original release: The RCN Strike
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Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson
Alliance leader Naomi Long's party colleague Tennyson, identified in the release as Alliance's representative, calls the DUP's push to pull the Stormont brake a cynical, self-defeating stunt ahead of a UK-EU summit. He says it undermines progress on an SPS agreement and business confidence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says TennysonArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Equal citizenship is non-negotiable – Allister
TUV leader Jim Allister says equal citizenship is non‑negotiable and urges a centre‑right Reform Government to scrap the Windsor Framework, restore UK sovereignty and complete Brexit, warning Labour’s ‘Reset’ would reverse Brexit and bind the UK to EU law.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Labour Party Brexit reversal plan announcement Original release: Equal citizenship is non-negotiable – AllisterArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Kearney calls for urgent action to remove barriers facing cross-border workers
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for urgent action to remove administrative and legal obstacles facing more than 18,000 cross‑border workers, urging the UK Prime Minister and Taoiseach’s earlier commitment to be progressed and deeper all‑island economic integration to be pursued.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: British Prime Minister and Taoiseach commitment on cross-border employment issues Original release: Kearney calls for urgent action to remove barriers facing cross-border workersArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the lack of plug-in solar in Northern Ireland as Great Britain's rules allowing up to 800W systems take effect, and calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain the delay and set out a timetable.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: plug-in solar launch in Great Britain Original release: Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
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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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We Need An All-Ireland Push For Better Wages
People Before Profit calls for an all-Ireland push for better pay, backing the 18 January public sector strike in the North and urging Southern unions to ballot for coordinated public sector action over a minimum 7.5% increase.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: We Need An All-Ireland Push For Better Wages
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Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland Commitment
Claire Hanna welcomes Taoiseach's New Ireland commitment, calls for cross-community plan.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British Prime Minister and Taoiseach commitment on cross-border employment issues Original release: Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland CommitmentArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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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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New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair
Alliance MLA Blair welcomes the launch of the Nature Recovery Strategy as a step towards the 30 per cent protection target for 2030, citing 12 per cent of species threatened with extinction. He says it sets out action on pollution, invasive species, tree cover and farmer support, and urges other…
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
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong criticises Labour's Family Farm Tax and red diesel changes. She says these policies are causing stress and financial difficulties for farmers.
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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Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the Chancellor to use the 2026 Budget to fund extra Home Heating Oil Support, an Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit and extend Rural Fuel Duty Relief, and to pledge a ten‑year partnership investing in infrastructure, housing and skills to build a stronger
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Stormont budget request for household support and infrastructure investment Original release: Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's futureArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
Ul Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows says the DUP's choice to exclude Northern Ireland from tomorrow's Glasgow Economic Forum harms NI's economy and the Union, urging another executive minister— such as Health Minister Robbie Butler—to attend instead.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from Economic Forum in Glasgow Original release: You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
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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 Original release: Tory Budget Deepens Class War
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SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approach
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's moves towards structured preparation for Irish constitutional change, and has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris proposing a New Ireland Forum-style process.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Government parties' unity plans Original release: SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approachArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Bradshaw condemns DUP gaslighting over Flags Bill
Alliance MLA Paul Bradshaw accuses the DUP of using filibustering tactics to delay the Flags Bill, which he says is an attempt to block legislation on abusive flags. He says the Committee Stage should move faster and that he has drafted amendments and offered meetings with other parties.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: DUP attempt to filibuster Flags Bill in Assembly Committee Stage Original release: Bradshaw condemns DUP gaslighting over Flags Bill
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The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
The party criticises the Department for the Economy's handling of Ulster University's funding, putting 450 jobs at risk. The party Leader, Mal O'Hara, calls for Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain her plan for higher education in Northern Ireland.
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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Support The Royal Mail Strikers
People Before Profit backs the Communication Workers Union strike at Royal Mail in the North, saying the 2% rise is a nominal cut against 12.3% inflation and urging an all‑Ireland push for wages that match inflation.
Economy and employment Issue: Royal Mail strike over pay Original release: Support The Royal Mail Strikers
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No Congestion Charges – Free Public Transport
People Before Profit says congestion charges would create class barriers and urges the government to scrap the plan and introduce free, frequent public transport in city centres, estimating a €550 million‑€1 billion cost to fund the scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: No Congestion Charges – Free Public Transport
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Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
UUP peer Lord Empey says the recent Drumcree stand‑off has back‑fired on republicans, accusing Gerry Adams of strategic interference and Michelle O’Neill of unlawful action, and warns that sectarian attacks and rising immigration undermine a united Ireland vision.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Garvaghy Road residents' protest against Orange Order march Original release: Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
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Cllr Flynn calls on Stormont ministers to ringfence Transport funding
Green Party Cllr Flynn calls on Stormont ministers to ringfence possible extra Barnett consequentials of £10-15m for public transport, arguing it should fund buses and Translink services as Translink consults on cuts and fare rises.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont Barnett consequentials announcement Original release: Cllr Flynn calls on Stormont ministers to ringfence Transport funding
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999 Operators On Strike In Portadown
People Before Profit says CWU strike action by BT Openreach workers has expanded to include 999 operators at the Portadown telephone exchange, which handles inbound emergency calls across the UK. It describes pickets, a 10-13% pay demand and calls for real negotiations with BT.
Economy and employment Issue: CWU BT Openreach strike expands to Portadown 999 operators Original release: 999 Operators On Strike In Portadown
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Pay Deal Does Not Add Up
People Before Profit says the public sector pay deal offered to ICTU members leaves workers out of pocket, citing 6.5% lost to inflation since 2021 and a 9.25% offer to mid-2026. It calls on unions to reject the proposals and demand above-inflation rises and an escalator clause.
Economy and employment Original release: Pay Deal Does Not Add Up