As many readers will know, earlier this year, the Executive launched the public consultation on its Programme for Government (PfG) draft Outcomes Framework. The draft Framework contains nine strategic outcomes which are intended to set a clear direction of travel for the NI Executive and provide a vision for the future of all citizens. The […]

Last month, Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced the Draft 2021-2022 budget, which is out for consultation until later this week (Thursday). One of our immediate concerns with the draft NI Budget is that it is a one-year budget and not a multi-annual one. This imposes significant constraints on how the Executive supports and invests in […]

Businesses are now almost four weeks into working with new customs and international trade procedures, and it is starting to become clear how the new changes are affecting companies here – with additional administrative work and delays being some of the key issues raised to date. There is no doubt that businesses have had to […]

2020 has presented business with challenges which just a year ago, could have been considered insurmountable. And while NI Chamber continues to prioritise supporting companies through COVID-19 challenges and Brexit preparations, the time is also right to forward plan our policy priorities for 2021 and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on societies across the world. Communities, enterprises and individuals have all been affected, some more than others, either personally, financially or both. Whilst today’s objective is to have an open, fully-functioning economy, we also need to support enterprises and employees to work safely in a new environment – alongside COVID-19 and Brexit – as we begin to plan the first steps to recovery in the months ahead.

The intensified restrictions announced by the NI Executive last week are a real blow to many businesses who have put hard work and money into ensuring that they are COVID-secure.

The need for additional restrictions cannot be blamed on a lack of care by hardworking people in businesses, who have worked tirelessly to implement government guidance and create a safe environment for their employees, visitors and customers. Despite these conscientious efforts, many are now in the midst of a four week period of trading restrictions. At NI Chamber, we will fully support our colleagues in hospitality, retail and close contact services over these coming weeks.

Infrastructure is a critical long-term societal investment that can make Northern Ireland a more efficient, better functioning society and boost economic growth. It has the ability to improve quality of life and wellbeing by offering good transport links, safe water and sanitation, connectivity, communication, housing and energy. It can address equality of opportunity and poverty […]

By Ian Henry, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Labour market figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) earlier this month revealed a concerning decline in the number of employees on payrolls, with almost 2,000 proposed redundancies in July, following a record high of 2,500 in June. There is no doubt […]

VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Ian Henry, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Many businesses depend on trade with the home nations more than any other partner. According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), Great Britain remains the “most significant single market” for external sales for businesses in Northern Ireland, accounting […]