News, analysis, and updates on fiscal policies, budget allocations, taxation, and financial regulations ensuring economic stability in Northern Ireland.
Bereaved parents in Northern Ireland can now apply for official recognition of pregnancy losses occurring before 24 weeks, following the launch of the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme today. The initiative provides voluntary, government-issued certificates to families who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or other early losses, offering formal acknowledgment of […]
Two significant pieces of financial legislation have received final approval at Stormont, permanently establishing the independent body that scrutinises Northern Ireland’s public spending while streamlining how government manages routine financial matters. The Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill and the Fiscal Council Bill both completed their passage through the Assembly on
The legal framework for Northern Ireland’s Baby Loss Certificate Scheme has been secured after regulations passed in the Assembly, paving the way for parents who have experienced pregnancy loss before 24 weeks to receive formal recognition of their grief. Finance Minister John O’Dowd confirmed that work is underway to bring
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced a further £102.6 million in transformation funding for six public sector projects, marking the second tranche of the UK Government’s £235 million Executive restoration package. The funding, confirmed on 26 May 2026, targets digital healthcare, family support, employment services, and cross-border agricultural research, with
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has issued an urgent call for the British Government to “face up to its responsibilities” and properly fund Northern Ireland’s public services, warning that ongoing political turmoil in Westminster cannot be allowed to derail essential investment in health, education and infrastructure. The statement, released on 12
The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) has launched its first external recruitment drive for Deputy Principals in four years, seeking to fill approximately 120 vacancies across government departments. The campaign, announced on 2 March 2026, aims to reduce the service’s heavy reliance on temporary promotions and agency staff that has
The Department of Finance has launched a public appointment competition to recruit a new Chair for the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC), the statutory body responsible for advising on building standards and safety regulations. The appointment comes as the committee oversees significant changes to fire safety requirements, with
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has visited a new 24-bed aparthotel in Derry, highlighting how a £3.3 million loan from the Northern Ireland Investment Fund (NIIF) is helping transform a site vacant since the early 1980s into a tourism hub expected to support 30 new jobs. The project, developed by the
The Executive has agreed to increase the regional rate for domestic properties by 5.0% for the 2026/27 financial year, matching the previous year’s uplift and adding approximately 63p per week to average household bills. The decision, announced by the Department of Finance on 12 February 2026, sets the regional rate
The Northern Ireland Executive has secured a £400 million emergency loan from the Treasury to prevent Health and Education departments from collapsing into uncontrolled overspend this financial year. The funding, announced by Finance Minister John O’Dowd on 11 February 2026, will be repaid over three years rather than the usual
