Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 11 April 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The Institute of Irish Studies-University of Liverpool/The Irish News poll found Sinn Féin has extended its lead over the DUP with 27% of first-preference votes, in comparison to the DUP’s 20.2%. Alliance remains on course to be the Assembly’s third largest party.

  • The DUP published its ‘5-Point Plan’, prioritising fixing the NHS, growing the economy, keeping schools world-class, helping working families, and removing the NI Protocol: LINK

  • BBC NI announced its election coverage plans with the Party Leaders’ Debate taking place on Tuesday 3 May at 9pm.

  • Aodhán Connolly, director of the NI Retail Consortium, will lead the NI Executive Office in Brussels from 25 April.

  • Alliance is expected to publish its manifesto on 20 April, the Green Party manifesto is expected to be published on 21 April, and Sinn Féin is expected to publish its manifesto on 25 April.

  • The Queen’s Speech on 10 May is likely to include a Brexit Freedoms Bill making it easier to amend or remove retained EU law. A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill on devolved matters is also set to be included.

  • Belfast City Council is considering establishing a Poverty Commission for the city.

  • The Fiscal Commission’s final report is to be published after the Assembly Election in May.

  • PWC’s 2022 Economic Outlook found that Belfast is ranked 16th in the top 30 European headquarter locations.

  • According to the Scottish Widows Index, financial wellbeing in households across the UK is at its lowest point in two years.

  • A Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce survey found NI businesses continued to recover from the impact of Covid-19 in Q1 of 2022 but over three quarters of businesses expect to raise prices in the next three months.

Other Stories this week

  • John Callinan was appointed as Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach.

  • Belfast City Council launched the Belfast Business Idea 2022.

  • Addressing the Dáil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Irish leaders to convince the EU to introduce more rigid sanctions against Russia.

  • Pivotal, the Public Policy Forum, found NI has the lowest level of educational attainment across the UK.

  • The Northern Ireland Fraud Forum has been established to promote fraud awareness among businesses and the public and third sector.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 28 April, CBI’s An Audience with Northern Ireland’s Political Leaders, The Great Hall Queen’s University

  • 28 April, Belfast Chamber’s Spring Networking Reception, Whites Garden

  • 5 May, Northern Ireland Assembly Election

  • 10 May, State Opening of Parliament

  • 12 May, Anchor High Summit, Manufacturing NI, Galgorm Hotel and Spa

  • 26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 21 June, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 30 June, Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards, Titanic Belfast

Consultations