Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 9 May 2022

Forward Look                                

  • Counting for the Northern Ireland Assembly election began today at 8am, with results expected to be announced throughout today and tomorrow. At 9pm last night, the overall voter turnout was 55.5%. Modelling indicates the final figure will be lower than in 2017, which was 64.78%.

  • The new Assembly will sit early next week where members must sign in and elect a new Speaker. They will also be given the opportunity to elect a new First and deputy First Minister.

  • DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he will not enter the Stormont Executive until the Protocol has been resolved.

  • Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP said a proposed new law allowing the UK Government to waive elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol will not be in the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday.

  • Assistant Director at InterTradeIreland, Kerry Curran, will replace Aodhán Connolly as the Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium on Monday.

  • The Department of Finance has launched a ‘Back in Business’ scheme, offering businesses a two-year 50% rate reduction if they move into premises previously used for retail.

  • A decision is set to be made today on whether investors will be involved in future plans for the George Best Hotel in Belfast City Centre.

  • The Republic’s former Education Minister and Fine Gael Donegal TD Joe McHugh announced he will not stand in the next Irish general election.

  • Research carried out by Grant Thornton and Belfast Chamber found that, at the current rate of development, Belfast risks falling short of its 2035 population target by 20,100.

  • 81.3% of NIPSA union members at the Northern Ireland Assembly have voted in favour of strike action. This will take place on Thursday.

  • A report published by the Standards Committee into All-Party Parliamentary Groups has suggested cutting down the 774 APPGs as they could be open to “improper access and influence”.

  • Manufacturing Month launched this week, with the Anchor High leadership summit taking place on Thursday.

 

Other Stories this week

  • Council elections took place across England, Scotland, and Wales on Thursday. Results are expected today.

  • A study by Queen’s University Belfast found that the Spend Local voucher scheme should have been targeted towards businesses which were forced to close.

  • Seven further DUP members left the party to give their support to South Down TUV candidate, Harold McKee before yesterday’s Assembly election.

  • The Bank of England has raised interest rates to 1% in response to the cost of living crisis.

  • Almac has received planning permission for its new £40 million manufacturing facility in Craigavon.

  • Public finances in Ireland were in deficit by €1.1 billion at the end of April.

 

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 10 May, State Opening of Parliament

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

  • 24 May, Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Northern Ireland Companies 2021

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

  • 17 June, North West Business Awards, City Hotel

  • 21 June, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 24 June, NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch

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

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference

  • 21 October, Belfast Chamber Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 4 – 5 November, Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Consultations