NEWS

A special event at Stormont will bring together survivors and families affected by terrorism to mark European Day for Victims of Terrorism, with powerful personal testimonies set to highlight the lasting human cost of violence. The annual commemoration, organised by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), will take place in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings at 11am on Monday 9 March, with refreshments available from 10:30am. Announcing the event, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston sa

Sophie Murray; First Minister Michelle O’Neill; Moira Doherty, Interim Permanent Secretary, The Executive Office; deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly; Marissa Callaghan MBE. Women whose quiet work strengthens families, neighbourhoods and organisations across Northern Ireland were placed firmly in the spotlight at Stormont as political leaders marked International Women’s Day. First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly hosted a specia

Pictured left to right are Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Hugh Cormican, CEO of Cirdan, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Alison Currie, Chief Development Officer, Invest NI. A £12.9 million investment by Cirdan Imaging is set to create 72 highly skilled jobs while strengthening Northern Ireland’s growing reputation as a centre for life and health sciences innovation. Announced by the First Minister, deputy First Minister an

The DUP has voiced opposition to calls for a Basic Income for Artists scheme to be introduced in Northern Ireland. At Belfast City Council this week, DUP Group Leader Councillor Sarah Bunting spoke out against the proposal as the rest of the council voted to lobby Stormont to introduce the scheme. The Republic of Ireland is establishing a permanent Basic Income for the Arts scheme, which will pay 2,000 eligible artists €325 per week for three years. The scheme follows a long

Households across Northern Ireland are facing a sharp and immediate spike in home heating costs, with prices rising by more than 60% since last Friday — prompting urgent cross-government talks and a warning that “any unjustified hike” is unacceptable. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald   has responded to escalating home heating oil and fuel prices, which have emerged in the wake of the action taken by the US and Israel against Iran. The situation has sparked fresh concerns f

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, writing in The Orange Standard calls for “Unionism for the Future” Unionism stands at a crossroads — and its next chapter, according to Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows , will be shaped by whether it thinks long-term, works together and delivers for everyday people. Writing in the March 2026 edition of The Orange Standard, the official publication of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland , the Jon Burrows  sets out a candid an

Northern Ireland’s exam system is facing its biggest shake-up in a generation, with AS levels to be scrapped and the overall number of GCSE and A Level exams significantly reduced under sweeping reforms announced today. Education Minister Paul Givan  has published a new policy framework for CCEA GCSE and A level qualifications, setting out structural changes designed to cut exam pressure, reduce coursework, and shift the focus from “teaching to the test” to deeper learning.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service has opened the door to around 120 new Deputy Principal posts — the first recruitment at this level in four years — marking a significant intake aimed at strengthening departments right across government. The campaign will fill vacancies across all NICS departments and locations, with successful candidates stepping into key roles at the heart of policy development and public service delivery. Deputy Principals play an important part in develo

Northern Ireland’s homelessness system is under “extreme pressure”, trapped in a reactive cycle that is costing tens of millions each year while failing to deliver long-term solutions. That is the stark conclusion of a new report from the Northern Ireland Public Accounts Committee (PAC), published following an inquiry into the effectiveness and value for money of homelessness services. The Committee says spiralling spending on temporary accommodation — including a sharp rise

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being left “in the lurch” by a compulsory purchase system they no longer trust, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union , which is now calling for a fundamental overhaul of vesting rules. Following a meeting with Land and Property Services  (LPS), the UFU said too many landowners are facing uncertainty, inadequate compensation and prolonged disruption as land is acquired for infrastructure projects. Speaking on behalf of the organisation,

The former Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle town centre Seventeen months on, a closed street and an unresolved building safety issue are now threatening the future of a £2million investment designed to rejuvenate Ballycastle town centre. Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim, Philip McGuigan , has called for urgent collaboration between the owner of the Antrim Arms and statutory organisations to address structural safety and planning concerns that have left Fairhill Street closed —

Inset: South Antrim MP Robin Swann Northern Ireland is poised to finally introduce its own version of Lucy’s Law — but concerns remain that determined breeders could still sidestep the rules by selling animals across the water. South Antrim MP Robin Swann  has welcomed a commitment from Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir  to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland. However, he has warned that a “grey area” in current regulations could undermine the l

Pictured at the at the unveiling of the Historical Institutional Abuse memorial plaque in the Great Hall, Parliament Buildings are First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, NI Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots and Fiona Ryan, Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse. A permanent memorial now stands at Stormont to honour the victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse — a visible acknowledgement of decades of sufferi

TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle Northern Ireland’s farming community is being “failed” by Stormont, according to TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle , who used a West Tyrone fundraising breakfast to launch a sweeping critique of agricultural policy, bovine TB controls and the Windsor Framework. Addressing party members on Saturday (February 21), Cllr Kyle painted a picture of mounting pressure on farmers — from disease outbreaks and slurry st

The Independent Remuneration Board has published its first draft determination proposing a 26.8% increase in MLA salaries to £67,200 per year from 1 April 2026, alongside automatic financial sanctions if an Executive is not formed following future Assembly elections. The newly established Board, which is responsible for setting the salaries and pensions of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), has launched a two-week consultation seeking views from MLAs, the Assembly Co

TUV MLA for North Antrim Timothy Gaston Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Timothy Gaston has strongly criticised a £14,000 pay rise for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), after a determination increased Stormont salaries by 27% from £53,000 to £67,200. In a statement, Mr Gaston said the decision by the Independent Remuneration Board would result in a substantial uplift in pay at a time when many households across Northern Ireland are facing ongoing financial press

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering a 3.3% consolidated pay uplift for NHS staff from 1 April 2026, following the latest recommendation from the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB). The proposed pay rise would apply to all Agenda for Change (AfC) pay points across Health and Social Care (HSC), impacting thousands of frontline staff including nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants and administrati

The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed the Regional Rate for 2026/27, confirming a 5.0% increase for domestic properties and a 3.0% increase for non-domestic properties. The decision means the domestic regional rate element of the average household bill will rise by 63p per week. The regional rate forms part of the overall rates bill and is used to fund public services across Northern Ireland. The Executive confirmed it has taken the same approach as 2025/26 in setting the

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has returned to the Northern Ireland Assembly after serving a two-day suspension, using his first day back in the Stormont chamber to defend his conduct and challenge the handling of the so-called ‘breathegate’ controversy. Speaking during Assembly business, Mr Gaston said the sanction imposed on him had now been “served” and set out a detailed response to the circumstances surrounding his removal from the Chamber.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC The closure of McKillen’s on Church Street has been described as a devastating blow to Ballymena town centre, with North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC warning that rising overheads and business rates are “strangling” local retailers and accelerating the decline of the high street. In a strongly worded statement, Mr Allister said the loss of the century-old family business, coming shortly after the closure of Wyse Byse, marked a critical moment fo