Other News In Brief

Trump Trade War "Economic Self-Harm" – Alliance

Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson has condemned US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs as an act of "economic self-harm," and called for Northern Ireland's unique position to be central to any discussions on retaliatory action.

The White House has announced tariffs of 10% on UK exports and 20% on EU exports, which includes goods from Ireland, raising concerns about the impact on Northern Ireland's economy.

Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson stated: "Trump's trade war is an act of economic self-harm that will threaten jobs and livelihoods in the United States and across the globe. Alliance's priority remains protecting the best interests of workers and businesses in Northern Ireland. We will impress upon both the UK and Irish Governments the need to consider Northern Ireland's unique position as part of discussions on potential retaliatory action as well as the importance of working in cooperation with our neighbours and allies against these bully-boy tactics."

Tennyson also expressed deep concern over reports that the UK government might be considering concessions such as cutting the digital services tax for US tech giants and undercutting the agricultural sector. He argued that such moves would only align the UK economy with Trump's "isolationism and protectionism" and benefit figures like Elon Musk.

"Reports that the UK Government is considering concessions such as slashing the digital services tax for US tech giants, and undercutting our agricultural sector, is deeply concerning. Such a move would only tie the UK economy to the folly of Trump's isolationism and protectionism and line the pockets of actors like Elon Musk," Tennyson said.

He supported the stance of his colleague, Sorcha Eastwood MP, who has been vocal in the House of Commons about the negative impact of these tech platforms on UK democracy. "As my colleague Sorcha Eastwood MP has made clear in the House of Commons today, these platforms have wreaked havoc on democracy in the UK and they should not be rewarded for that with tax breaks and higher profits," Tennyson concluded.

NI Teachers Accept 5.5% Pay Offer

Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council's (NITC) decision to accept a 5.5% pay offer for teachers, bringing an end to ongoing industrial action. The pay settlement, agreed by the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC), will see starting salaries for graduate teachers increase to £31,650, a rise of £1,650 over the year. This follows a previous pay settlement in April 2024, meaning new teachers are now being paid £7,513 more than before the Executive returned.

Minister Givan stated the award reflects the value placed on those working in education. Most teachers are expected to receive the pay increase in May, with back pay to 1st September 2024.

The Minister also acknowledged workload concerns and proposed an independent review of workload, to be conducted by a three-member panel reporting by the end of November 2025. He believes the end of industrial action will increase stability in schools and allow for continued improvement within the education sector, referencing his recently launched education strategy, TransformED, which includes commitments to reduce workload.

Justice Minister Urged To "Fight Harder" For PSNI

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Justice Spokesman, Doug Beattie, has called on Justice Minister Naomi Long to "fight harder" for the PSNI, citing the Chief Constable's stark warnings about resource shortages and policing challenges.

Beattie expressed concern over the "stark" warnings from the Chief Constable regarding police numbers, resources, neighbourhood policing, and the monitoring of sex and violent offenders. He questioned the lack of action being taken to address these issues.

"The words and warning from the Chief Constable over policing in Northern Ireland are stark. There has been a lot of commentary on police numbers, police resource, lack of neighbourhood policing and monitoring of sex and violent offenders. Yet what is being done about it?" Beattie asked.

He also criticised the Justice Minister's response to questions in the Assembly, stating that the frequent "operational matter" response, while factual, does not help the police convey their message to those making resourcing decisions.

Beattie highlighted the "tri-partite arrangement" between the Department of Justice, the Policing Board, and the PSNI, describing it as a dysfunctional "two-legged stool or a parent-child relationship." He called for a change in approach, urging the Minister to advocate more strongly for the PSNI.

"Things need to change, and the Minister must start fighting harder for the PSNI in the manner I am seeing from the Chief Constable himself," he stated.