Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 16 August 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Executive has announced the rules on self-isolation will change on Monday, whereby fully vaccinated people who are a close contact of a Covid-19 case, will no longer have to self-isolate. They are advised to take a PCR test on day two and day eight of the process. There is no limit on the number of people who can gather outdoors in a domestic setting and the rule of six in hospitality venues will be scrapped, this includes weddings. Conferences, exhibitions and raves can also resume. Social distancing on public transport will be lifted and there will be a full return to face-to-face teaching in FE Colleges, Universities and Non-Statutory Contractors. School bubbles will be removed for the beginning of the school year and the requirement to wear a face covering will remain in place for the first six weeks of the new term, remaining under review. The rules around face coverings and social distancing will be considered in September.

  • DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP said he will continue to run the party from Westminster until the Assembly Election next year. Sir Jeffrey added that due to issues such as the Northern Ireland Protocol and the legacy proposals, it is important that “the leader of Unionism is at Westminster”.

  • The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a report assessing the global climate crisis. The Report found that global temperatures will reach 1.5C above 1850-1900 levels by 2040, breaking the global target set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. The Report concludes that cutting global emissions in half by 2030 could halt the rise in temperatures. To read: LINK.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has announced the NI Executive will convene for a Climate Summit ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in October.

  • Auditor general Kieran Donnelly has expressed concern at how the Department of Health has accounted for £135m of expenditure in its annual budget, commenting that it was not in line with international accounting standards. The DoH said it will consider the report and “respond through the appropriate channels.”

  • Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA issued a statement to the Assembly outlining her priorities for the next regional Area Plan, which will cover a five year period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027. The proposals to be addressed include the issue of primary pupils being taught in composite classes of more than two year groups and the issue of small sixth forms. To read: LINK.

  • Nichola Mallon MLA announced that £8m will be invested into the delivery of a new LED street lighting programme in Northern Ireland this year.

  • Independent experts appointed by the UN have expressed “serious concern” over the UK Government’s amnesty proposals for Troubles related crimes.

  • The Irish Government has published its Annual Taxation Report 2021. Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, income tax revenue fell by 1% in Ireland compared to 2020. To read the report: LINK.

  • Tickets are now available for the Docs Ireland film festival, running from 25 to 29 August. View the film schedule and get tickets here: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • Ulster Bank published its PMI report for July, showing an increase in output and new orders, with rates of expansion easing from June. Job creation was accelerated, while inflationary pressures remained elevated.

  • Green Party NI representative Councillor Kathryn McNickle resigned her seat from Ards and North Down Borough Council for Holywood and Clandeboye DEA and will be replaced by Lauren Kendall.

  • Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young has outlined the effectiveness of the vaccine, with every 1,000 Covid-19 cases resulting in 22 hospitalisations. In December 2020, every 1,000 Covid-19 cases resulted in 80 hospitalisations.

  • The Department for Communities has launched the Uniting Opportunities programme. The programme provides funding for projects that create opportunities for participation for 11-24 year olds in underrepresented groups.

  • The Department of Justice has launched an appointment competition for a minimum of 15 Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) Members. The IMB is an independent statutory body whose role is to monitor the treatment of prisoners and the conditions of their imprisonment.

  • Students across the UK received A-level and GCSE results. 51% of students in Northern Ireland were awarded an A* or A grade and 40% of GCSE students received an A* or A grade.

  • Irish-American lawyer Kathy Hochul has assumed office as the first female governor of New York, following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation.

  • Lockton, the world’s largest privately owned insurance broker, has appointed Nigel Birney as Head of Trade Credit Insurance in Northern Ireland.

  • Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA announced the extension to the term of NI Screen Chair, Dame Rotha Johnston. It has been extended from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2021.

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