Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 27 December 2021

Forward Look

  • The Executive has announced a financial package for businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions, and will first review new measures on Thursday 13 January.

  • First Minister Paul Givan MLA has said the DUP will lay out tests in its election manifesto which will need to be met if the party is to return to government. The Daily Telegraph reports the party will urge the UK’s new lead Brexit negotiator, Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss MP, to trigger Article 16 in the new year.

  • The Equality Commission will investigate the High Street Spend Local Scheme over a complaint that under-18s were excluded. The Scheme has been extended until Friday 7 January for those who received their cards late.

  • An Audit Office report has found that local Councils face a tough financial future amid income generation challenges.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched a Consultation on Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland. To respond by 15 February: LINK

  • An Institute for Fiscal Studies report has stated there is a case for a modest extension to the scope of devolved government’s borrowing powers in ‘normal’ times.

  • The £100m Belfast City Council-led restoration of the former Bank of Ireland building on Royal Avenue is due to be completed by 2028.

  • Laura Kuenssberg will step down as BBC Political Editor in April.

  • The US Senate has confirmed the nomination of Claire Cronin as the next US Ambassador to Ireland.

  • The Made in Northern Ireland Awards 2022 will take place on Friday 13 May 2022 at the Titanic Hotel.

Other Stories this week

  • Invest NI has appointed former Finance and Operations Director Mel Chittock as its interim Chief Executive.

  • Christopher Brooke has been appointed as the new Chair of Tourism Ireland.

  • The ESRI has found that NI companies exported an extra £1bn of goods to the Republic of Ireland in the first ten months of 2021.

  • A UK Digital Economy Council report has named Belfast as one of the UK’s fastest growing tech cities.

  • High Court Judge Mr Justice Scoffield has ruled that DUP ministers boycotting North South Ministerial Council meetings are in “abject breach of their solemn pledge”.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 14 January, A Seat with Sinn Féin, NICVA

  • 17 January, NI Assembly returns from Christmas Recess

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

Consultations