Other stories
DUP and UUP clash over Stormont return after news and Bank of England interest rate hike
NI’s two largest unionist parties clashed over the need for Stormont to return to deal with the financial difficulties facing households, after the Bank of England announced the largest hike in interest rates since the 1980s. DUP MP Sammy Wilson, speaking to the News Letter, denied that there was anything Stormont could do to weather the storm, adding: “If the government cuts back on spending […] and doesn’t allow inflationary increases in spending then the block grant is affected and Stormont is going to have less money in real terms to spend.” Former UUP leader and Strangford MLA Mike Nesbitt, however, said the news should act as a "wake-up call" to those preventing the restoration of power-sharing.
House of Lords continues scrutiny of NI Protocol Bill
The NI Protocol Bill, which aims to change parts of the post-Brexit deal, continued its committee stage in the Lords this week. This was day two and three of the Lords’ line by line examination of the Bill, which began on 25 October. Peers put forward amendments covering a range of subjects, including the functioning of a dual regulatory regime (a proposal whereby goods can be placed on the market in NI if they meet either UK rules, EU rules, or both). The Bill continues its Lords committee stage on Monday 7 November, when further amendments will be discussed.
UUP leader says triggering Article 16 could provide time and space to achieve negotiated outcome on Protocol
UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said: “We are entering a pivotal period. As negotiations are once again underway between the UK and EU, we have the opportunity to finally deal with the problems caused by the NI Protocol and see devolution restored. Something needs to change. The opportunity exists to pause the calling of an election and allow negotiations between to the UK and EU to continue in earnest. We believe that the time is right for the UK to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol to facilitate this.”
Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to take place on Saturday
Tomorrow (Saturday 5 November) Sinn Féin will meet for their annual Ard Fheis (annual conference), at the RDS in Dublin. To see the full list of motions tabled, click here.
Department for the Economy publishes Energy Strategy e-bulletin 19
On Tuesday 1 November, the Department for the Economy published the nineteenth edition of the Energy Strategy e-bulletin, which aims to keep stakeholders informed about progress on the new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland. The bulletin details the recent launch of the Energy One Stop Shop Consultation, which was launched last week. The One Stop Shop aims to be a "single point of contact where consumers, communities and businesses can receive information, advice and support about energy issues."
Attracting foreign direct investment to NI in the context of post-EU exit trading relationships
Today (4 November), the Department for the Economy (DfE) published a paper which provides a short summary of DfE commissioned research conducted by Wavteq to examine the impact of the post EU exit trading relationships on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Northern Ireland. According to the DfE, the region has been successful in attracting high-quality FDI and continuing to do so will be an important part of delivering on the Department's 10X Economic Vision.
Search begins for new board members for the Labour Relations Agency
On Thursday 3 November, the Department for the Economy launched a public appointment competition to recruit four new board members to the board of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA). The LRA is a non-departmental public body with responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in NI.
Department for the Economy publishes Energy Strategy e-bulletin
On Tuesday 1 November, the Department for the Economy published the nineteenth edition of the Energy Strategy e-bulletin, which aims to keep stakeholders informed about progress on the new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland. The bulletin details the recent launch of the Energy One Stop Shop Consultation, which was launched last week. The One Stop Shop aims to be a "single point of contact where consumers, communities and businesses can receive information, advice and support about energy issues."
DUP reps raise concerns over the NIO commissioning abortion services in NI
Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart and Paul Givan MLA met with Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris in Belfast, to express their opposition to the decision by the Northern Ireland Office to commission abortion services in NI. Speaking after the meeting, the DUP representatives said: “It is deeply regrettable that the Secretary of State has continued down the pathway of Brandon Lewis by commissioning abortion services here in NI. This is a devolved matter. It is for those elected to the NI Assembly, and those appointed to serve in any future Executive, to decide on the law regarding abortion in this part of the UK.”
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