Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 20 June 2022

Forward Look                                

  • DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has said his party will wait until the new NI Protocol Bill progresses before nominating a deputy First Minister.

  • 52 MLAs from four Stormont parties have signed a joint letter to the Prime Minister outlining their opposition to the proposals.

  • The EU has resumed legal action against the UK following the publication of the Government’s Bill.

  • By-elections for the Conservative-held Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton constituencies will take place on Thursday.

  • The NIO will host a conference exploring the challenges facing Northern Ireland’s future from Wednesday to Friday in England.

  • The Department of Health has published the Second Action Plan of the Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy. To view: LINK

  • Interest rates have risen from 1% to 1.25%, the highest figure in 13 years.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced that a design plan on the future shape of hospital services will be published in the Autumn for consultation.

  • The Supreme Court will hear a legal challenge against the Protocol this Winter, with judgement expected late next year.

  • The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill will move to Committee Stage next Monday 27 June.

  • Northern Ireland Questions will take place in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA will brief the NI Affairs Committee on the Government’s legacy proposals on Tuesday.

  • Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Aoife Moore will join the Sunday Times later this summer.

  • The Irish Government will replace the minimum wage with a living wage by 2026.

  • The NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch will take place on Friday at Belfast City Hall.

Other Stories this week

  • SDLP Councillor Martin Kearney was appointed the new President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association.

  • The Prime Minister’s ethics adviser Lord Geidt resigned over concerns that the Prime Minister risked breaking the ministerial code.

  • DUP MPs Gavin Robinson, Sammy Wilson, and Gregory Campbell were sanctioned by Russia.

  • The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) announced it raised £5.3m in donations from Northern Ireland for their Ukraine Appeal.

  • A record 779,000 people are in jobs in Northern Ireland, with the employment rate rising to 70.2%.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 17 June, North West Business Awards, City Hotel Derry

  • 24 June, NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch

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

  • 21 July, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 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