News, analysis, and updates on economic policies, business support, employment initiatives, and efforts to drive economic growth in Northern Ireland.
Portadown-based premium snack manufacturer Kestrel Foods has announced a £5 million investment to expand its production capabilities and international reach, creating 38 new jobs over the next three years. The investment, supported by £350,000 from Invest Northern Ireland’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative, will fund advanced chocolate coating technology and expanded storage […]
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has announced a significant concession to employers regarding trade union access rights within the long-awaited Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill, confirming that micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people will be exempt from proposed workplace entry requirements. The announcement, made on 29 May 2026, represents the latest
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed a 13% increase in Tourism Northern Ireland’s support for August Féile 2026, as the west Belfast festival prepares for its largest-ever programme alongside Belfast’s historic first hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The expanded investment comes despite recent budgetary pressures at Tourism NI,
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced plans to bring forward legislation to modernise Northern Ireland’s credit union sector, publishing a roadmap that commits to passing a Bill before the next Assembly elections in 2027. The move follows a 12-week public consultation that ended last July and aims to overhaul
An estimated 23,000 young people in Northern Ireland were not in education, employment or training (NEET) between January and March 2026, representing 11.6 per cent of those aged 16 to 24, according to new figures published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA). This marks an increase
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced £2 million in fresh funding to develop skills across Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturing sector, marking the first major spending from a long-delayed £150 million UK Government investment pot. The programme, unveiled at a Lurgan-based recycling firm, aims to deliver more than 400 qualifications
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed long-awaited changes to the Duty Reimbursement Scheme (DRS) that aim to cut red tape for Northern Ireland businesses trading under post-Brexit arrangements. The modifications link the scheme with the Customs Duty Waiver Scheme and introduce flexibility for mixed stock claims, coming into effect
More than 1,000 businesses across Northern Ireland are now employing Higher Level Apprentices, according to new research published by the Department for the Economy. The analysis reveals broad employer participation across business sizes and regions, with Further Education colleges in the west engaging the largest number of unique employers. The
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed a temporary VAT reduction on summer family attractions announced by the Chancellor today, but warned the move does not go far enough to address the “longstanding VAT disparity” facing Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector. The UK Government confirmed that VAT on selected summer attractions
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed official statistics showing Northern Ireland’s tourism sector has reversed last year’s sharp decline, with visitor expenditure rising 9% to £1.2 billion in 2025. The figures, published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), reveal approximately 5.1 million overnight trips during
