NEWS

The Utility Regulator has confirmed that a formal review of regulated gas tariffs in Northern Ireland is now under way, covering domestic and small business customers supplied by SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy , while electricity prices for Power NI customers remain under ongoing monitoring. The review applies to customers in the Greater Belfast and West gas areas, supplied by SSE Airtricity Gas Supply, and the Ten Towns area, supplied by Firmus Energy. The regu

The cost of a UK TV licence will increase to £180 a year from 1 April 2026, the Government has confirmed, in line with inflation and the terms of the existing BBC funding settlement. The £5.50 rise – equivalent to an extra 46p a month – follows the methodology set out in the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, which links annual increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) until the end of the current BBC Charter period in 2027. Ministers said the increase is intended to provide the

Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Valerie Watts Fresh upheaval has emerged at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council following the sudden termination of a senior management contract, a move that has raised questions over governance, transparency and potential financial implications for ratepayers. Love Ballymena understands that Valerie Watts , who has been Council’s Interim Chief Executive since June 2022, has ended the contract of the interim Director of Operations with imme

The Ulster Unionist Party has warned that Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector faces a critical threat following the publication of draft Reval 2026 valuations, with concerns mounting that sharp increases in rateable values could lead to job losses, reduced investment and business closures. Figures released by Land & Property Services (LPS) provide businesses with their first sight of new Net Annual Values (NAVs), which will be used to calculate non-domestic rates from 2026

More than 75,000 non-domestic properties across Northern Ireland have been revalued following the publication of the draft valuation list for Reval 2026 by Land & Property Services (LPS). The draft list, released this week, will form the basis for business rates from 1 April 2026, and LPS is urging ratepayers to review their new valuations now to ensure accuracy before the list is finalised. Non-domestic rates apply to a wide range of premises, including shops, offices, wareh

Northern Ireland is set to introduce statutory miscarriage leave and pay from April 2026, marking a significant extension of workplace protections for parents experiencing pregnancy loss. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has published the Department for the Economy’s consultation response on introducing statutory miscarriage leave and pay, confirming the creation of new legal rights for employees affected by miscarriage or other forms of pregnancy loss at any stage. The

One of the fake £20 Bank of England notes that was passed to a local retailer Businesses across Ballymena are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of a significant rise in counterfeit bank notes circulating in the town over the past fortnight. Several local traders have contacted Love Ballymena to warn fellow business owners after discovering fake notes being passed during everyday transactions, particularly in busy retail settings. According to reports received,

Land & Property Services has launched a new digital service designed to make it easier for ratepayers across Northern Ireland to manage their rates accounts online. The new Rates Online platform allows customers to view account details, report changes, make payments and raise queries through a single online portal. Users can also opt to receive their rates bills electronically, reducing paperwork and offering faster access to important information. The service forms part of a

Image: Anne Kelly Ferry passengers travelling to Rathlin Island and across Strangford Lough will face increased fares from 1 February 2026, following confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure. The Department has announced that the revised charges will apply to both the Ballycastle–Rathlin Island ferry service and the Strangford–Portaferry ferry service, with the increases aligned to Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation. According to the Department for Infrastructur

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed new assurances from the Treasury that proposed inheritance tax arrangements for family farms will apply beyond married couples and civil partners, following strong concerns raised by farming organisations in Northern Ireland. The clarification was provided by Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson after Mr Swann raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting widespread anxiety within the farming community that the proposed rules could unintent

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