NEWS

Households across Ballymena and more than 30 surrounding towns are set for another drop in their gas bills, as firmus energy Supply confirms a further double-digit tariff cut from April. The Newtownabbey-based supplier today (Thursday 5 March 2026) has announced it will reduce domestic tariffs for all customers in the Ten Towns Network area by 10.1% from 1 April 2026 — a move expected to save households an average of over £92 per year. It marks the third consecutive reductio

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

Drivers dropping passengers at Belfast International Airport will soon pay significantly more, with the airport confirming a sharp rise in its drop-off tariff from Monday 9 March. The charge in the airport’s drop-off zone will increase from £3 to £5 — a jump of more than 65 per cent — in a move the airport says reflects wider financial strain on businesses across Northern Ireland. A spokesperson for Belfast International Airport said: “From Monday 9th March the tariff in our

Energy costs in Northern Ireland are surging again — and political pressure is mounting for urgent scrutiny. The Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows , has written to the Utility Regulator seeking assurances that energy providers will not use escalating international tensions as justification for what he describes as unjustified or excessive price increases. His intervention comes as households across Northern Ireland face sharp rises in ho

Escalating conflict in the Middle East could yet hit UK drivers where it hurts — at the pump — but any sharp rise in petrol prices is far from guaranteed, according to the RAC . With oil markets reacting to geopolitical uncertainty, motorists are already seeing prices edge upwards. And while the situation remains fluid, the RAC says sustained increases in the oil price would be needed before forecourt costs climb dramatically. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “While t

Lidl Northern Ireland announce a £2.3m investment in pay increases for their workforce across the region - pictured is Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland and colleagues from Lidl's store team. (Pic. Robbie Reynolds) More than 1,300 Lidl Northern Ireland employees will see their pay increase from next month, as the retailer announces a £2.3 million investment in wages across the region. From 1 March, Lidl Northern Ireland store and wareh

Monday 23 February 2026 Families across Northern Ireland are set to see the cost of school uniforms fall after new legislation formally came into operation, placing legal duties on schools to prioritise affordability. Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the commencement of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026, which has now received Royal Assent. The move means statutory School Uniforms Guidelines are in force with immediate effec

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have arrested two people in Lisburn on suspicion of illegal money lending and associated criminality, as part of an ongoing investigation by its Predatory Lending Team. The arrests were made on Thursday, 19 February. A 59-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were detained during the operation, and a significant amount of cash was seized. Both suspects have since been released on bail pending further enquiries. Cash s

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed a below-inflation District Rate increase of 3.35% for the 2026/27 financial year, following a Special Council meeting held on 12 February 2026. The decision means householders in the borough will pay an additional £20.58 per year — equivalent to £0.40 per week — based on a domestic property with a rateable value of £124,728. The Council said both officers and elected members had “worked diligently” to deliver a smaller tha

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

Inset: Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott has explained why he voted against Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s decision to strike the district rate for 2026/27 at a special council meeting, citing concerns over City Deal costs, long-term financial pressures and potential alternative savings for residents. On Monday night at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in The Braid, Ballymena, elected members voted 19 to 17 in

Elected members of the TUV party group serving on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) group on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed it opposed the district rate increase approved at Monday night’s council meeting, arguing that greater steps could and should have been taken to reduce the financial burden on households and businesses across the borough. The TUV group includes Councillor Matthew Armstrong (Ballymena), Councillo

Sinn Féin councillor in Ballymena, Bréanainn Lyness A Sinn Féin councillor in Ballymena has abstained from voting on a 2.95 per cent rates increase, breaking with party colleagues who supported the rise at Monday night’s rates-setting meeting. Bréanainn Lyness said he could not “in good conscience” back the increase, citing the continued decline of Ballymena town centre and the impact rising costs are having on local businesses and traders. During last night’s vote DUP, All

Petrol prices in Northern Ireland have dropped to their lowest level in almost five years, providing welcome relief for motorists as the average cost of fuel at forecourt pumps continues to fall, according to the Consumer Council. Following a period of relative stability over the past 12 months, the average price of petrol has now fallen to 124.2 pence per litre, the lowest level recorded since May 2021. Diesel prices, meanwhile, remain unchanged at an average of 131.9 pence

Mid and East Antrim’s Ulster Unionist Party Group on Council The Mid and East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Group has voted against the Council’s decision to increase domestic and non-domestic district rates by 2.95 per cent. The vote was taken at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday 9 February, when councillors approved the rates increase for the coming financial year. The group includes (in alphabetical order), Councillor Alan Barr (Braid), Counc

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has agreed a 2.95 per cent district rates increase for the 2026/27 financial year, following a closely contested vote at a special meeting held on Monday 9 February. The increase was approved by 19 votes in favour, 17 against, with one abstention, highlighting divisions among elected members over the scale of the rise and how funding is allocated within the council’s capital programme. Love Ballymena understands that the initial figure prop

Mossley Mill, County Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has agreed one of the lowest district rate increases in Northern Ireland, striking a 2.99% rise for the 2026/27 financial year at a Special Council Meeting held on Monday 9 February. The modest increase, which is lower than the current rate of inflation, will apply across the borough and equates to an additional £14.67 per year, or 28 pence per week, for an average household. One of the lowest rates increase

Mid and East Antrim Council chamber Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will hold a special meeting this evening (Monday, 9 February) to strike the domestic and non-domestic rate for the 2026/27 financial year. For a second consecutive year, the local authority is expected to strike a single rate for households and businesses. Last-minute negotiations are likely to continue behind closed doors at The Braid in Ballymena, following a series of rates workshops held in recent mon

Pictured: Colin Magee, Non-domestic Consumer Protection Manager at the Utility Regulator New electricity and gas licence rules come into force to improve transparency, fairness and switching rights The Utility Regulator has introduced new licence measures to strengthen protections for Northern Ireland’s small business electricity and gas consumers, with changes taking effect from 4 February 2026, aimed at improving transparency, fairness and engagement in the non-domestic ene