Northern Ireland
Disruption warning as unions ask for pay talks to resume
Unions have urged council employers to return to the negotiating table with an improved pay offer amid warnings that months of disruption could lie ahead.
Government moves towards all-in deposit return scheme
The Government is moving towards backing an all-in deposit return scheme (DRS) for all plastic bottles, glass bottles and aluminium drinks cans, The MJ understands.
Unison warns of strike action over pay
Trade union Unison has warned of future strike action unless local government employers improve their pay offer.
Minister backs council finance review
A full review of council finances will take place in Northern Ireland after minister Conor Murphy endorsed the proposal.
Localism is important to the electorate
Janice Morphet looks at the electoral response to the management of the pandemic in England, and considers what the results mean for future devolution.
Employers offer 1.5% 'paltry' pay rise
Councils are facing a £279m increase to the national pay bill after offering 1.5m employees a 1.5% increase for 2021-22.
Queen's Speech: Controversial voter ID plans roll forward
Voter ID is expected to be introduced by May 2023 after the Government pledged to introduce legislation to ‘ensure the integrity of elections’.
N Ireland chief robustly defends decision to send Brexit letter to Cabinet Office
The chief executive of Mid and East Antrim BC has robustly defended her decision to send a controversial letter on Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol to the Cabinet Office.
No simple north-south divide, says report
There is no simple north-south divide, a new report by Legal and General (L&G) has argued.
BUDGET 2021: New freeport sites confirmed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak closed his Budget speech today with a commitment to eight new freeport sites - international gateways that will enjoy a raft of tax breaks from later this year.
Employers branded a 'disgrace' over pay delay
Council employers have been branded a ‘disgrace’ after they said they would not respond to a union pay claim until after the May 6 elections.
NI councils handed powers to vary taxes
New legislation at Stormont will allow councils in Northern Ireland to vary the rate of council tax and business rates.
Northern Irish legal case could set precedent across UK
Northern Irish councils have suggested local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales could benefit after a ‘landmark’ legal case.
Coronavirus has turned 'financial cracks into craters'
The new president of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) has warned that coronavirus has turned ‘financial cracks into craters’.
Funding boost brings 'hope' for councils, says NILGA
A £20.3m funding boost to local authorities has given ‘hope’ to the councils and their partners, leaders have said.
Crisis cash on its way for NI councils
Councils in Northern Ireland have finally been handed extra funding to deal with the coronavirus crisis, bringing them in line with the rest of the UK.
Budget 2020: New West Yorkshire mayor announced
A new directly-elected West Yorkshire mayor has been announced with the Government signing a new £1.8bn devolution deal amid plans to ‘level up’ the UK economy.
Debt-hit Northern Ireland council votes for ‘urgent assistance’
Causeway Coast & Glens BC has voted to bring in independent financial advisers after confirming total borrowing of £71.1m.
Unions criticise 'unnecessary' pay offer delay
The three unions representing council workers today criticised ‘unnecessary delays’ after local government employers failed to make them a pay offer for 2020/21.
Government dismisses same-sex marriage concerns
The Government has dismissed council concerns over registrars potentially refusing to perform same-sex marriages when new legislation comes into force in Northern Ireland next week.
