NEWS

North Antrim MP Jim Allister The government’s decision to raise the inheritance tax relief threshold for farm holdings and business assets has been welcomed by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister — but he has warned the change does not go far enough to protect farming families. Reacting to today’s announcement that the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold will rise from £1 million to £2.5 million from April 2026, Mr Allister said the move rep

Budget Energy customers are set to face higher electricity bills early next year as the supplier prepares to increase its tariff by 4% from 15 January 2026. The rise means a typical credit customer will see their annual bill increase by around £47, while a typical prepayment customer will pay around £46 more per year. According to the Consumer Council , the average annual bill for Budget Energy customers will now reach £1,281 for credit customers and £1,270 for prepayment cus

TUV agriculture spokesperson and Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle Northern Ireland’s dairy sector is facing what has been described as one of its most severe financial crises in years, with farm-gate milk prices plunging more than 12p per litre since autumn. As the annual RUAS Winter Fair approaches, industry fears are mounting that many family farms are now on the brink of financial collapse. The warning comes from TUV agriculture spokesperson and Causeway Councillor Allist

The spa at Antrim Forum An additional charge to use the spa at Antrim Forum leisure centre has been approved by councillors. Members of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Operations Committee agreed at a meeting in Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening to introduce a £10 “bolt-on” charge per person for use of the facility. A report to the committee stated: “The introduction of a £10 per person spa bolt-on at Antrim Forum reflects the facility’s status as a premium, lu

Pictured at the launch of Northern Ireland’s Consumer Energy Charters for Winter 2025/2026 are gas and electricity supplier representatives with Karen Smyth, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Angus Kerr, Director of Climate Change at the Department for Communities, William Deane, Head of Consumer Protection and Community Energy at the Department for the Economy, Shane Logan, Chief Executive at Bryson and Sinéad Campbel

Home heating oil prices have dipped this week, according to the Consumer Council’s latest Home Heating Oil Price Checker , offering some short-term relief for households preparing for colder weather. The average cost of 500 litres now sits at £299.59, around £11.30 cheaper than last week, though still £12.45 more expensive than last month. The fluctuating figures highlight the ongoing volatility of the heating oil market, with prices changing daily and making it increasingly

Significant variations have emerged in Mid and East Antrim Borough councillors’ expenses claims for 2024–2025, prompting renewed scrutiny of public spending at a time when elected members have also accepted a rise in their basic allowance. The publication of the latest travel and subsistence figures shows that 15 councillors claimed nothing at all, while others recorded expenses totalling more than £1,900 for the year. It comes just weeks after councillors accepted a 3.2% inc

The managing director of M&S Food has warned the Chancellor that a recent change to inheritance tax treatment of family farms risks destroying generational businesses and imperilling the UK’s food security. In a direct appeal ahead of next week’s Budget, Alex Freudmann said ministers should “think again on inheritance tax” and adopt practical safeguards to protect genuine working farms. Farming under pressure — and inheritance tax adds to the burden Farmers are already grap

South Antrim MP Robin Swann Ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Budget, Robin Swann MP has issued a stark warning over the proposed Family Farm Tax, describing it as a “deeply damaging and utterly unacceptable threat” to family-run farms across Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist MP stressed the importance of protecting these farms, which he described as integral to both rural communities and local economies. “As I have made clear time and time again, the Family Farm Tax is a dire

Front and centre (holding the flowers) are Branch Manager Liz Graham and local businesswoman Winnie Mellet, pictured with branch staff Danske Bank has officially opened its new Ballymoney branch at 12 High Street, completing its planned relocation to modernised premises in the heart of the town. The opening was marked by a special event attended by local businesswoman and Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce President Winnie Mellet, who cut the ribbon to welcome customers into the

The Department of Education has published new School Uniform Guidelines to help schools across Northern Ireland prepare for upcoming statutory requirements expected to take effect from the 2026/27 academic year. The move follows the passage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill, which cleared its Final Stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 13 October and will become law once it receives Royal Assent. Education Minister Paul Givan confirmed that the guid

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

Parents across Northern Ireland are bracing for higher school meal prices and potential changes to transport and music provision after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed a series of cost-saving measures to address a £300 million funding shortfall. The EA said the “regrettable” measures, which aim to deliver up to £30 million in savings, will begin to take effect this month. However, the organisation warned that even with these cuts, it will be “some distance” from breaki

More than 195,000 Universal Credit recipients in Northern Ireland will gain automatic entitlement to free NHS sight tests, dental treatment, and travel cost support from 1 December, following a key legislative update announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. The move brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK, after years of disparity in how Universal Credit recipients accessed the Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme. The HwHC scheme supports people on low in

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Age NI Head of Advice and Advocacy Services Brenda Kearns (left) and Director of Pensions, Disability, and Carers at Department for Communities NI Leonora McLaughlin. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has encouraged people over the State Pension age to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit, warning that many older residents could be missing out on vital financial help during the ongoing cost of living pressures. Pension

A 56-year-old US citizen who conned Northern Ireland clients out of around £135,000 while working as a mortgage advisor has been jailed for four years. Marianne Smyth was sentenced today (Friday 17 October) at Downpatrick Crown Court after being found guilty of three counts of fraud by abuse of position and three counts of theft following a four-day trial last month. The offences date back to when Smyth was working as a mortgage advisor in Northern Ireland between 2005 and 20

South Antrim MP Robin Swann, Ms Antoniazzi, and UFU President William Irvine Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann has hosted a high-level meeting in Westminster with representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, Tonia Antoniazzi MP, to discuss the major challenges facing the farming sector. The meeting followed a presentation by the UFU to the Committee earlier the same day, with discussions focusing on the pres

AIB on Wellington Street, Ballymena AIB NI is set to visit Ballymena on Wednesday 12 November as part of its new ‘Let’s Talk Co-Ownership’ branch series – a fresh initiative designed to support homebuyers across Northern Ireland with practical, face-to-face guidance. Running throughout October and November, the series will see AIB’s local mortgage experts teaming up with Co-Ownership specialists to provide tailored advice and insight for anyone considering home ownership. The

Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly’s support for the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill, which aims to reduce the financial burden of school uniforms for families. The Bill, introduced by Minister Givan in February 2025, has now passed its Final Stage and will come into effect for the 2026/2027 academic year. It marks a major policy shift in how schools across Northern Ireland manage uniform requirements, with new statutory

Click Energy customers across Northern Ireland are set to see their electricity bills rise by 3.5% from 1 November 2025, with the average...