NEWS

Ulster Unionist Party Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA has criticised the Finance Minister’s latest update on Northern Ireland’s business rates review, warning that the proposals offer “yet more reviews rather than delivering tangible support now” for firms already under intense financial strain. Her comments follow a statement in the Assembly from Finance Minister John O’Dowd , who outlined plans to accelerate the strategic review of business rates, enhance Small B

TUV MP Jim Allister has sharply criticised a recent Supreme Court judgment on Religious Education (RE) in Northern Ireland, describing the ruling as a threat to the long-established Christian ethos within the region’s school system. In a strongly worded statement, Mr Allister said he was “deeply disturbed” by aspects of the judgment, particularly the court’s reference to the potential for “indoctrination” within current RE provision. “As someone who has consistently defended

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced new legislation that will ban the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in Northern Ireland, as part of a coordinated UK-wide approach to tackling plastic pollution. The regulations — which include limited exemptions for business-to-business supply and medical use — will take effect in May 2027, following an 18-month transition period. This will allow retailers time to clear existing

Northern Ireland is being prevented from participating in the UK-wide rollout of a bovine tuberculosis (bTB) cattle vaccine due to a combination of EU regulations applied under the Windsor Framework and Northern Ireland’s own domestic legislation, South Antrim MP Robin Swann has warned. Mr Swann raised the issue directly with the UK Government, receiving confirmation that Northern Ireland cannot currently be included in the marketing authorisation for the vaccine. Responding

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows has warned that families already struggling with the cost of living will be “hit hard” by the Education Authority’s decision to raise the price of school meals by around 20 per cent. The increase – equivalent to an extra 50p per meal – is due to take effect from January 2026, as part of a series of savings measures introduced by the Education Authority (EA) to tackle a £300 million funding shortfall. Mr Burrows, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Ed

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew speaking today in the Northern Ireland Assembly A motion led today (Thursday 5 November) by North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew to support service leavers, veterans, and their families through the Armed Forces Covenant has been passed in the Northern Ireland Assembly, receiving cross-party backing. The motion gained support from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) and the Alliance Party, marking a rare instance of cross

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, with club representatives at Stormont. The iconic Ulster Grand Prix is set to roar back onto the international motorsport stage in summer 2027, marking its long-awaited return to the famous Dundrod circuit for the first time since 2019. The announcement from the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) Ltd (MCUI UC) confirms that extensive discussions with government departments, MLAs, counc

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, with his much-loved companions Cassie and Maggie. Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows has voiced strong support for reforming Northern Ireland’s fireworks legislation, describing the current situation as “deeply distressing” for families, pet owners, and communities affected by irresponsible use. The North Antrim MLA, who is a well-known dog lover, said his own pet suffers panic attacks during fireworks seaso

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has called for agreement to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Northern Ireland, following the publication of an expert panel report recommending stronger, more accountable environmental governance. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Muir outlined plans for the creation of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair

Deputy First Minister Little-Pengelly with Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales Zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has showcased its dramatic revival and global success story to Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, during a visit to the company’s Ballymena headquarters. The visit on Wednesday offered an insight into how the company has transformed from administration just six years ago into a global powerhouse of green transport innovation. Since 201

Inset: North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has voiced serious concern over reports that Sinn Féin representatives allegedly asked PSNI officers to remove their personal protection weapons before entering party offices or attending community meetings. Mr Burrows — a retired senior police officer — described the alleged actions as a “dangerous abuse of political power” that could undermine both officer safety and the independence of policing in Northern

It seems the leaks at Stormont aren’t just political. TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has condemned what he described as a “disgraceful” spate of deliberate toilet flooding incidents inside Parliament Buildings, warning that taxpayers are footing the bill for the clean-up. In a statement, Mr Gaston said he had personally encountered the problem, explaining: “I first became aware of this when I went to use a toilet, only to discover that the taps had been left running and the sink del

Dr Katy Radford MBE, Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE), Lee Reynolds (left), Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition, Pól Deeds (right), Irish Language Commissioner The First Minister and deputy First Minister have confirmed a series of high-profile appointments to key cultural and linguistic posts in Northern Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland

Farmers Margaret little & Delene Shannon alongside Diana Armstrong MLA and UFU President William Irvine Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong has urged the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to act on key recommendations from the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, calling for faster progress in achieving gender equality across Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector. Speaking after attending the Women in Agriculture Conference at Loughry

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday. North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has called for urgent departmental funding to support a Ballymena-based crisis intervention charity, warning that the collapse of Extern’s community crisis intervention service in the north-west could soon be repeated elsewhere. Speaking during Assembly proceedings on Tuesday (October 14), Mr Gaston said the closure of Extern’s service “will leave a g

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew speaking in the Assembly earlier this week. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has announced overwhelming public support for his proposed Individual Duty of Candour Bill, which seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability within Northern Ireland’s healthcare system. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, 14 October, Mr Frew confirmed that 94% of respondents to his 14-week public consultation backed the proposal. “I place on record my a

A damning new report by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed what it describes as a “worrying picture of systemic failure” in the management of the region’s school estate — with the cost of outstanding repairs and maintenance potentially reaching £800 million. The report, Managing the Schools’ Estate , follows an inquiry launched by PAC in May 2025 , which heard evidence from officials at the Department of Education, the Education Autho

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA has called for a “radical reconciliation”...

Sinn Féin Principal Deputy Speaker, Carál Ní Chuilín, and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston In a tense...

Pictured with Finance Minister John O’Dowd are Ulster University students Caitlin Lowry (Left), who is studying Marketing, and Lewis Orr,...