30/10/2024
NI Executive To Receive £1.5 Billion From Budget
The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £1.5 billion for 2025-26, said Chancellor Rachel Reeves today at the announcement of the UK Budget.
Day to day spending will account for £1.2 billion of this, while £270 million will be used for capital investment.
This extra funding, through the Barnett formula, is included in the Northern Ireland Executive's £18.2 billion settlement for 2025/26, which is the largest in real terms for the country in the history of devolution.
The NI Executive will also get an additional £640 million in Barnett consequential this year.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: "This will provide a strong foundation for stability and growth, and sees the UK Government delivering real change for the people of Northern Ireland.
"We have also confirmed the UK Government's investment in Northern Ireland's City and Growth deals, which is a huge boost to communities in both rural and urban areas.
"The Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens Deals alone will receive a combined investment from the UK Government of £162 million and I look forward to seeing them progress and make a real impact now and in years to come.
"Meanwhile, measures such as the Northern Ireland Enhanced Investment Zone, continuing support for Northern Ireland integrated schooling and the UK-wide investment of over £500m in digital infrastructure through Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network benefit people across Northern Ireland's communities.
"The increase to £37.8 million in funding for the Police Service of Northern Ireland through the Additional Security Fund, combined with £8 million for the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, underscores the UK Government's continuing and steadfast commitment to security.
"This budget is positive news for people across Northern Ireland, encouraging economic growth and enabling the conditions for a brighter future." The UK Government will also deliver on its pledge to not increase National Insurance, Income Tax or VAT on working people in Northern Ireland, meaning they will not see higher taxes in their payslip.
• The National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour from April 2025. The 6.7% increase – worth £1,400 a year for a full-time worker – is a significant move towards delivering a genuine living wage.
• The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will also see a record rise from £8.60 to £10 an hour.
• Working people will benefit from these increases, with there estimated to be around 100,000 minimum wage workers in Northern Ireland in 2023.
• The Chancellor has made the decision to protect working people in Northern Ireland from being dragged into higher tax brackets by confirming that Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions thresholds will be unfrozen from 2028-29 onwards.
• The Chancellor is also protecting motorists by freezing fuel duty for one year - a tax cut worth £3 billion, with the temporary 5p cut extended to 22 March 2026. This will benefit an estimated 1.3 million people in Northern Ireland, saving the average car driver £59, vans £126 and Heavy Goods Vehicles £1,079 next year.
• To support pubs and smaller brewers in Northern Ireland, the UK Government is cutting duty on qualifying draught products by 1p, which represent approximately 3 in 5 alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This measure reduces duty bills by over £70 million a year, cutting duty on an average strength pint in a pub by a penny. The relief available to small producers will be updated to help smaller brewers and cidermakers.
The Budget will ask businesses and the wealthiest to pay 'their fair share while making taxes fairer'. This will go directly towards fixing the foundations of the UK economy.
For more information regarding the breakdown of the Budget, click here.
Day to day spending will account for £1.2 billion of this, while £270 million will be used for capital investment.
This extra funding, through the Barnett formula, is included in the Northern Ireland Executive's £18.2 billion settlement for 2025/26, which is the largest in real terms for the country in the history of devolution.
The NI Executive will also get an additional £640 million in Barnett consequential this year.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: "This will provide a strong foundation for stability and growth, and sees the UK Government delivering real change for the people of Northern Ireland.
"We have also confirmed the UK Government's investment in Northern Ireland's City and Growth deals, which is a huge boost to communities in both rural and urban areas.
"The Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens Deals alone will receive a combined investment from the UK Government of £162 million and I look forward to seeing them progress and make a real impact now and in years to come.
"Meanwhile, measures such as the Northern Ireland Enhanced Investment Zone, continuing support for Northern Ireland integrated schooling and the UK-wide investment of over £500m in digital infrastructure through Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network benefit people across Northern Ireland's communities.
"The increase to £37.8 million in funding for the Police Service of Northern Ireland through the Additional Security Fund, combined with £8 million for the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, underscores the UK Government's continuing and steadfast commitment to security.
"This budget is positive news for people across Northern Ireland, encouraging economic growth and enabling the conditions for a brighter future." The UK Government will also deliver on its pledge to not increase National Insurance, Income Tax or VAT on working people in Northern Ireland, meaning they will not see higher taxes in their payslip.
• The National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour from April 2025. The 6.7% increase – worth £1,400 a year for a full-time worker – is a significant move towards delivering a genuine living wage.
• The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will also see a record rise from £8.60 to £10 an hour.
• Working people will benefit from these increases, with there estimated to be around 100,000 minimum wage workers in Northern Ireland in 2023.
• The Chancellor has made the decision to protect working people in Northern Ireland from being dragged into higher tax brackets by confirming that Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions thresholds will be unfrozen from 2028-29 onwards.
• The Chancellor is also protecting motorists by freezing fuel duty for one year - a tax cut worth £3 billion, with the temporary 5p cut extended to 22 March 2026. This will benefit an estimated 1.3 million people in Northern Ireland, saving the average car driver £59, vans £126 and Heavy Goods Vehicles £1,079 next year.
• To support pubs and smaller brewers in Northern Ireland, the UK Government is cutting duty on qualifying draught products by 1p, which represent approximately 3 in 5 alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This measure reduces duty bills by over £70 million a year, cutting duty on an average strength pint in a pub by a penny. The relief available to small producers will be updated to help smaller brewers and cidermakers.
The Budget will ask businesses and the wealthiest to pay 'their fair share while making taxes fairer'. This will go directly towards fixing the foundations of the UK economy.
For more information regarding the breakdown of the Budget, click here.
Latest Northern Ireland News
30 October 2024
NI Executive To Receive £1.5 Billion From Budget
The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £1.5 billion for 2025-26, said Chancellor Rachel Reeves today at the announcement of the UK Budget. Day to day spending will account for £1.2 billion of this, while £270 million will be used for capital investment.
NI Executive To Receive £1.5 Billion From Budget
The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £1.5 billion for 2025-26, said Chancellor Rachel Reeves today at the announcement of the UK Budget. Day to day spending will account for £1.2 billion of this, while £270 million will be used for capital investment.
30 October 2024
Two Major City Deals Given Green Light
The City Growth Deals in the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West regions will go ahead, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced. There are four Northern Ireland City Deals but two of these, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West, were put on hold earlier this month as the Government reviewed its spending.
Two Major City Deals Given Green Light
The City Growth Deals in the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West regions will go ahead, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced. There are four Northern Ireland City Deals but two of these, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West, were put on hold earlier this month as the Government reviewed its spending.
30 October 2024
Woman Settles For £45k In Sexual Harassment Case
A woman will receive a £45,000 settlement from her former employer, Tesco, following claims of sexual harassment and victimisation. Lara Storey, a former part-time Dotcom Personal Shopper, claimed a colleague had subjected her to the sexual harassment which included physical touching. "I wish none of this had ever happened," said Ms Storey.
Woman Settles For £45k In Sexual Harassment Case
A woman will receive a £45,000 settlement from her former employer, Tesco, following claims of sexual harassment and victimisation. Lara Storey, a former part-time Dotcom Personal Shopper, claimed a colleague had subjected her to the sexual harassment which included physical touching. "I wish none of this had ever happened," said Ms Storey.
30 October 2024
Belfast-Based Caffè Nero Premises Fined £4K For Rat Infestation
Caffè Nero in Belfast was fined £4,000 for a suspected rat infestation following the results of a routine hygiene inspection.
Belfast-Based Caffè Nero Premises Fined £4K For Rat Infestation
Caffè Nero in Belfast was fined £4,000 for a suspected rat infestation following the results of a routine hygiene inspection.
30 October 2024
Construction Begins On New Tyrella Beach Amenity Facility
Construction works for a new, purpose-built visitor amenity building have began at the award-winning Blue Flag Tyrella Beach in County Down. The project will deliver modern toilet and changing facilities, a fully equipped 'Changing Places' toilet, an accessible restroom, outdoor showers and solar-powered electricity.
Construction Begins On New Tyrella Beach Amenity Facility
Construction works for a new, purpose-built visitor amenity building have began at the award-winning Blue Flag Tyrella Beach in County Down. The project will deliver modern toilet and changing facilities, a fully equipped 'Changing Places' toilet, an accessible restroom, outdoor showers and solar-powered electricity.
30 October 2024
Police Arrest Two Men After Ballymena Assault
Two men have been arrested in County Antrim on suspicion of assault. Police said they received a report at 6.15am yesterday that a man, aged in his 20s, had been attacked at a residential property in the Orkney Drive area of Ballymena. The man sustained injuries to his face, abdomen and leg, which at this stage are not thought to be serious.
Police Arrest Two Men After Ballymena Assault
Two men have been arrested in County Antrim on suspicion of assault. Police said they received a report at 6.15am yesterday that a man, aged in his 20s, had been attacked at a residential property in the Orkney Drive area of Ballymena. The man sustained injuries to his face, abdomen and leg, which at this stage are not thought to be serious.
30 October 2024
Illegal Fireworks Recovered As Man Arrested
A man has been arrested in Magherafelt on suspicion of illegally selling fireworks. Around 3,000 Category Two display-only fireworks and approximately 400 Category Three display-only fireworks were recovered during a search at a premises in the Bellaghy area on Monday, October 28.
Illegal Fireworks Recovered As Man Arrested
A man has been arrested in Magherafelt on suspicion of illegally selling fireworks. Around 3,000 Category Two display-only fireworks and approximately 400 Category Three display-only fireworks were recovered during a search at a premises in the Bellaghy area on Monday, October 28.
30 October 2024
Finding Romantic Connections In The Digital Age
In today's fast-paced digital world, finding love can be as easy as a swipe or a like. However, with so many options at our fingertips, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Northern Ireland influencers have been sharing their insights on how to navigate the world of online romance effectively.
Finding Romantic Connections In The Digital Age
In today's fast-paced digital world, finding love can be as easy as a swipe or a like. However, with so many options at our fingertips, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Northern Ireland influencers have been sharing their insights on how to navigate the world of online romance effectively.
30 October 2024
Budget Designer HomeWorks Spooktacular Halloween Sale 2024!
Are you ready to finally tackle those home renovation projects you've been putting off...
Budget Designer HomeWorks Spooktacular Halloween Sale 2024!
Are you ready to finally tackle those home renovation projects you've been putting off...
30 October 2024
Other News In Brief
DUP Lay Poppy Cross At Westminster Members from DUP have gathered to lay a poppy cross in the Speaker's Constituency Garden of Remembrance at Westminster. Party MPs, including DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP, joined Members of the House of Commons from across the UK to make the tribute.
Other News In Brief
DUP Lay Poppy Cross At Westminster Members from DUP have gathered to lay a poppy cross in the Speaker's Constituency Garden of Remembrance at Westminster. Party MPs, including DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP, joined Members of the House of Commons from across the UK to make the tribute.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy but dull and mainly dry day. While most places stay dry, some hill fog and patchy drizzle is possible at times, particularly over western parts. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Another cloudy night, mostly dry with the odd drizzle patch west at first. Drizzle patches become more widespread in the west later. Minimum temperature 10 °C.