Government

Susie Megahey, commercial director at Barclay Communications in Belfast

Up to 15 new jobs as NI firm secures place on £1.5bn UK Government framework

David Hourican, interim chief executive of the British Business Bank

More Northern Ireland businesses eligible for expanded £6.5bn finance scheme

Cutting the costs of welfare will require the government to spend more in other areas, like education, Andy Burnham has suggested.

Andy Burnham: ‘Welfare cuts will result in spending in other areas’

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart quit the DUP this week to sit as an independent unionist. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Lockhart wants lawbreaking politicians turfed out of office under 12 month ban

The Police Service of Northern Ireland badge - agreeing the new emblem was seen as the first big test, says Pauline McCabe.

Pauline McCabe: Agreeing a new PSNI emblem was first big test

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks to the media before a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin about a proposed public sector union strike. Picture date: Tuesday November 3, 2026.

Taoiseach expands on initiative to examine Irish unity options

Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said the powersharing executive would need to decide “in days” whether it was going to agree a spending plan for the current financial year.

Muir tells Executive it is ‘make your mind up time’ on NI budget

Economy minister Caoimhe Archibald comments on the draft UK-EU deal on food and agriculture goods at Stormont in Belfast. Picture date: Tuesday November 3, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Young/Press Association

Expected UK-EU deal on agri-goods prompts familiar divisions

NI company Graham Graham’s will deliver a fit out of the new Ireland House premises at 10 Spring Gardens in London

NI contractor appointed to transform five floors of new embassy and State Agency

Jonathan Buckley MLA speaking to the media outside Carleton Street Orange Hall in Portadown, Co Armagh.

Unionism cannot afford a strategic own goal over Drumcree

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has offered to work with devolved governments to put more decision-making in the hands of regions and cities.

Burnham offers to work with devolved governments to spread power to regions

Stormont finance minister John O’Dowd

O’Dowd wants £100 support payments to reach householders in NI

Taoiseach Micheal Martin

Taoiseach says initiative needed for defining debate on Irish unity

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant speaking to the media at College Green, Westminster, after Chancellor John Healey delivered his first budget. Pic: Jordan Pettitt/Press Association

Bryant warns Stormont to agree budget or lose £131m Budget cash for salaries

Bridie Brown, the widow of murdered GAA official Sean Brown. No-one has ever been convicted of his murder. Issue date: Tuesday December 17, 2024.

Brown family has no ‘faith or trust’ in ICRIR

Brown, 61, the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Co Londonderry, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

Supreme Court to hear Government appeal in Sean Brown public inquiry case
The Northern Ireland Secretary was last year ordered by judges to set up an inquiry into the 1997 loyalist murder of the GAA official.
David Young

The number of new homes started in Q3 of this year fell by 13%

‘Critical point’ for housing industry as fall in new home registrations recorded

Workhorse: the Ryichi wind-up radio is compact but could be a lifesaver

I tested this £29.99 emergency radio for power cuts

The UK is braced for "damaging" winds and heavy downpours with two named storms expected to wreak disruption on Friday and over the weekend

UK faces ‘winter of greater flooding’, Burnham warns amid severe weather

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

Matthew O’Toole said services are in crisis because of no agreed Budget

Matthew O'Toole: Dysfunction at Stormont has been going on for a long time

Older people are expected to outnumber children in Northern Ireland by next year, according to a new report

Forecast that older people will outnumber children next year is ‘wake-up call’

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she has not thrown in the towel over hopes of further funding from the UK Government.

O’Neill ‘hasn’t thrown in the towel’ in the fight for a ‘fairer funding model’

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant speaking during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Bryant thanks people who kept Northern Ireland functioning during the Troubles

UUP deputy leader Diana Armstrong.

Diana Armstrong calls for end to 'ransom politics' at Stormont

Education Minister Paul Givan MLA speaking to the media about the proposed Education Inspections Bill in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture date: Monday June 1, 2026.

Budget negotiations entering ‘no-deal territory’, Paul Givan warns

Paul Greaney KC arriving at the Omagh Bombing Inquiry at Bradford Court in Belfast

Families will be ‘disappointed’ Garda officers will not give evidence in person
Families of Omagh bombing victims will be “disappointed” the Irish Government has not allowed Garda officers or state officials to give evidence in Belfast about the 1998 atrocity, a public inquiry has heard.
Jonathan McCambridge

First Minister Michelle O'Neill

Effort to secure more funding from London for budget is ‘right fight’: O’Neill

Executive accused of ‘outsourcing’ responsibility for governing

ProMetNI Founders Scot and Helen Nelson received assistance from Go Succeed

NI husband and wife team target expansion for growing fabrication business

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald attended a meeting of the first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations – SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill

Westminster’s time is coming to an end – SNP, Plaid and Sinn Fein leaders

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Angela Rayner brushes off Donald Trump’s backing for united Ireland

The Government is understood to have upped a financial offer to Stormont ministers to £1.5 billion in a bid to break an impasse over the devolved region’s budget.

Government ups offer to Stormont ministers to £1.5bn

TUV leader Jim Allister. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Government's fresh 'unfettered access' claim rejected by Jim Allister

MPs have been left with “very little time” to consider Northern Ireland Troubles legacy legislation, the Conservatives have warned.

Troubles Bill to be ‘rushed through’ Commons in October, MPs told

Jarlath Burns took particular issue with Dr McAleese’s remarks about gender issues and the role of women in the GAA, claiming the facts abut gender balance within the organisation are “completely different”.

GAA president hits back over ‘offensive’ comments by Mary McAleese

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald.

McDonald accepts Sinn Fein did not challenge Government enough on immigration

Newry Mourne and Down District Council had the highest level of sickness.

Council staff sick rates ‘notably higher’ than those in Civil Service

Financial offer to break Stormont budget impasse ‘falls well short’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham pictured during a visit to Belfast on August 27

Owen Polley: Government must face down nationalist tantrums and agitation

A general view of the Houses of Parliament seen from the River Thames, London

Labour whips accused of ‘tactics’ to delay Northern Ireland Legacy debate

Trade unions have urged Stormont to agree a fair budget or face an intensifying programme of industrial action

Unions urge Stormont to agree fair budget or face more industrial action

Jonathan Buckley MLA has said the government's stance on the Parades Commission is contradictory. Pic: Monday August 10, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Government's Parades Commission stance 'contradictory and incoherent' - DUP

Applications for UK citizenship have climbed to a new record high, driven by a growing number of non-EU nationals meeting the criteria to become British citizens.

UK citizenship bids hit new record high

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said “confidence will be restored” in the Parades Commission

Burnham says ‘confidence will be restored’ in Parades Commission

National Trust says all plants it sells are now 100% peat-free

National Trust says all plants it sells are now 100% peat-free

The Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has said Stormont will have to engage in “self-help” and look at revenue raising to resolve Northern Ireland’s budget issues.

Stormont executive needs to do ‘a bit of self-help’ on finances, says Bryant

Gary Hegarty is the founder of Mindful Gardens in Dungiven, which designs bespoke outdoor spaces for domestic and commercial clients, with a particular specialism in sensory and wellbeing gardens

From pixels to plants: NI designer grows thriving garden business

Minister of Finance John O'Dowd has announced how Local Growth Fund cash will be spent. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

O'Dowd reveals how Executive will spend cash it wanted to give community sector

Morning View

Editorial: End immoral scheme setting police killers free early

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced £27.4 million in capital funding from the Local Growth Fund to boost regional growth, support businesses, regenerate communities and improve connectivity

£27.4m Local Growth Fund boost for NI businesses, innovation and connectivity

Vehicles arriving at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, where Daniel Kinahan is expected to appear charged with directing an organised crime group, after being extradited from Dubai. Picture date: Sunday August 9, 2026.

Man accused of being crime boss wakes up in Irish prison after a life in Dubai

Daniel Kinahan

Irish Government jet flying to Dublin amid Daniel Kinahan extradition

Conall Mac Coille, Group Chief Economist at Bank of Ireland, said Northern Ireland remained well placed to weather the challenges ahead despite a more difficult operating environment

NI's economy continues to outperform the rest of the UK despite global headwinds

The state-of-the-art facility will be purpose-built

Ad Feature AG&P Industrial launches new fabrication yard

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