FinTech NI announces appointment of Chris Jessup as Chairperson

FinTech NI Chairperson Chris Jessup

FinTech NI, the not-for-profit industry association representing the £392 million fintech sector in Northern Ireland, has announced the appointment of Chris Jessup as Chairperson.

Chris comes to the helm after serving three years on the Board of the FinTech NI Association, succeeding outgoing Chair and Northern Ireland FinTech Envoy Andrew Jenkins.

A Partner at leading corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, he has a background in financial services and years of experience advising fintech companies and financial services institutions on UK and EU regulatory matters.

The appointment will bolster the organisation’s work in showcasing Northern Ireland’s excellence in fintech on the world stage. A not-for-profit industry association, FinTech NI represents the workforce of over 7,000 individuals and 75 companies, and exists to champion the ecosystem on a local, national, and international level.

Chris’ term as Chairperson of the Association will further the implementation of the three-year Northern Ireland FinTech strategy and roadmap. Published last year, it validated the Treasury’s identification of Northern Ireland as one of ten leading UK fintech clusters and estimated the creation of 25 new fintech companies, the attraction of £25 million in additional Foreign Direct Investment and generation of thousands of new jobs in the next three years.

Working to implement the strategy, FinTech NI is focussed on attracting young people into the sector, connecting SMEs to investors and large institutions, and promoting Northern Ireland on the world stage.

Speaking after his appointment, Chris Jessup said:

“I am excited to take on the position of Chairperson of FinTech NI at such an important time for the sector. The possibility for growth in Northern Ireland is very evident, yet strong leadership from all stakeholders is required to ensure the companies that make up our dynamic ecosystem are represented on the local and international stage.”

“We are facing into a turbulent time on several fronts. It has never been more vital for the Northern Irish economy to support our SMEs, build a sustainable talent pipeline, and encourage scaling among entrepreneurs so that we can reach our full potential.”

“These are the areas I intend to focus on as I embark on my term as Chairperson. I wish to thank my fellow Board members for their ongoing collaboration and support and pay tribute to outgoing Chair Andrew Jenkins for leading us through another hugely successful year at FinTech NI. The depth of expertise on the board, as well as the quality of our ecosystem, will undoubtedly help us deliver on our key aims and cement Northern Ireland’s position as a world leader in fintech.”

Pathway to success for emerging leaders looks different following years of challenge

Writes Ryan Connor, Senior Management Consultant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore in the Irish News on Tuesday 25 October

Ryan Connor, Senior Management Consultant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

The quick succession of the Covid pandemic into an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis means our world has been disrupted for some time now. Throughout this, adapting and pivoting at a strategic level has become a necessity and has at times been what saved organisations from being overwhelmed. 

As companies continue to transition into new ways of working, leaders in all sectors are under increasing pressure to fully understand how the expectation around leadership continues to evolve, and in doing so, successfully navigate their own organisation through the change and uncertainty that the modern working world brings.

Those aspiring to be leaders, therefore, must be equipped to lead in today’s business environment while also building their profile, skills, network, and accelerating the impact of the work they deliver.  To support this, there are several common factors at play.

Firstly, talent and ambition must be evidenced through the quality of work delivered. Having the confidence to seek higher opportunities is vital, yes, but performance must be there to back it up. You may be fortunate to have a line manager who supports your development, but if not, you must articulate clearly and with the right people what you are hoping to achieve.

Successful leadership is difficult without a strong network of support. Building this within both your personal and professional life is important for when pressures do emerge and can be achieved easily and inexpensively in the hybrid world with communication technology.

A common misconception of leadership, however, is that those at the helm always have the answers. In any situation, it may feel like a sign of weakness to seek advice from others, yet it is better than providing the wrong answer. Similarly, good leadership comes with the expectation that failure will happen, and an organisation requires strong direction when things aren’t easy. Taking responsibility and owning your mistakes builds personal resilience, while your example can cultivate a growth mindset among employees.

If there’s one thing the last few years has shown us, it’s that creative and innovative thinking have an essential place in high level decision making. Challenges can emerge overnight, and we saw during the pandemic that those who were open to new approaches were first to minimise the impact on their productivity. Creating an open-minded environment rather than instinctively dismissing new ideas will breed creativity and allow others to thrive there too. 

Most importantly, leadership growth is based on the ability to engage in continuous learning and development. Investing in training opportunities and seeking out development within your role, such as suggesting more challenging targets or taking the lead on a new initiative, will ensure you are never standing still. Individuals serious about evolving into a leadership role will want to consider coaching, mentoring or peer support groups and the development they can gain from external training, networking, and volunteering.

Finally, intuitive successful leadership takes practice, experience and adding to your skillset. In time, taking major decisions and managing confidently becomes the norm. However, those who are successful know when to challenge their own practice, regularly identify their own capability gaps and can therefore pivot when their organisation encounters complexity, uncertainty or change.

Two thirds of North West businesses affected by lack of an Executive, new Londonderry Chamber survey warns

Londonderry Chamber President Aidan O’Kane

Over two thirds of businesses surveyed by the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce have said their business has been negatively affected by the lack of a functioning Executive and Assembly.

86% of North West businesses have also said that rising costs and inflationary pressures are the biggest challenges they face currently in the ongoing cost of living crisis.

A survey completed by members of the Chamber has shown that rising energy and material costs as well as decreasing consumer demand due to the cost of living are the biggest pressures to local business, while 94% said they expected to increase their prices in response to rising costs.

Three-quarters (75%) of respondents said it was “extremely important” to have the Executive and Assembly return at this time to provide assistance. Looking ahead to the medium and long-term outlook, Chamber members continue to view investment on the North West region as central to unlocking the region’s economic potential, featuring in 59% of responses, followed by improvements to regional infrastructure (43%).

Ahead of this Friday’s 28 October deadline to restore the Stormont Executive, the Chamber is calling on the parties to urgently get round the table to ensure local power-sharing returns, that another election is avoided at all costs, and to deliver supports for businesses and households ahead of the winter.

Aidan O’Kane, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce said:

“This set of results is an alarming snapshot of the pressures facing businesses in the North West. What we are seeing is that across the board, businesses big, small and from every economic sector are facing unprecedented financial strain, whether it’s rising material costs, exorbitant energy bills, or simply depleted demand from consumers with less disposable income.

“In the nine months since our last survey, rising costs have jumped from being the ninth biggest concern for business, to now unquestionably the biggest, featuring in nine out of ten responses. This is further illustrated by the fact that almost one in five say they are not confident of business growth set against these economic conditions.

“Our findings also highlight clearly and unambiguously that there simply must be more done to support businesses in the wake of these pressures. Our members have listed the types of interventions that would relieve pressure at this time, be it rates reductions, help with energy bills, or direct financial support to help with materials and products.

“There’s simply no getting away from the fact that the lack of an Executive is worsening the situation for our local businesses and this should serve as a wake-up call for our local elected representatives. The fact that 67% of respondents have said that political inaction has damaged their business should be a clear signal that the prospect of further delay is totally unthinkable. The Secretary of State has been clear that he will call an election if the parties do not restore the Executive by the end of this week. This is last chance saloon for local political decision making – now is the time for action to deliver for our communities.”

'Another fiscal statement but still little certainty for businesses' writes Angela Keery, Head of Tax at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

As originally appeared on Belfast Live, Monday 17 October

Head of Tax at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Angela Keery

Business leaders and individuals alike will today be considering what the words of another new Chancellor mean for their financial position following the second fiscal announcement in 24 days.

Delivering the medium-term fiscal plan two weeks ahead of schedule, Jeremy Hunt MP was quick to reverse almost all of the tax cuts delivered in last month’s mini-budget.

While those initial changes had appeared to put a little money back in everyone’s pockets, what followed was weeks of instability across the financial markets that had a heavy impact on businesses and individuals as interest and inflation levels rose and mortgage rates went through the roof.

This was an unsustainable position, therefore the move to expedite the recovery plan by the new Chancellor was an entirely necessary intervention. What is unclear, however, is just how much strength it will have in settling the markets in the immediate term.

Off the back of an announcement to press ahead with the planned increase in Corporation Tax rates to 25%, the Chancellor also today announced the reversal of planned cuts to Dividend Tax Rates and confirmation that the basic rate of Income Tax will remain at 20%.

Due to take effect in the next financial year, these changes are a hit for businesses in real terms but do come with over five months of lead in time to allow individuals and business owners to factor them into their plans.

With all eyes on the markets and whether these interventions will settle things, the concern now is whether company and personal finances can be sustained under an already difficult economic climate.

Prolonged uncertainty is good for no one, yet the constant dramatic measures pursued of late are taking businesses and members of the public through a grueling period of economic volatility as they attempt to respond to increased costs in all areas, particularly soaring energy prices.

What we need is a settled market with clear fiscal policies and time for business owners and individuals to forecast and budget appropriately and most importantly seek help where they need it most.

'Only a grassroots, joined-up funding approach will keep our entrepreneurs growing' by Michael McQuillan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland

(L-R) Jonathan McAlpin, Enterprise NI Chair; Sorcha Eastwood MLA, Vice Chair of the All Party Group on Micro and Small Business; John Stewart MLA, Chair of the All Party Group on Micro and Small Business; Diane Forsythe MLA, Secretary of the All Party Group on Micro and Small Business; and Michael McQuillan, Enterprise NI Chief Executive.

Small businesses are the backbone of our regional economy. Over 120,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate here, contributing three quarters of all private sector income generated. Whether it is a new café, car dealership, or new-tech start-up, entrepreneurs are working hard to make their business a success within a growing Northern Irish economy.

In our current climate, setting up shop has never been more daunting. The pandemic has subsided, but businesspeople are now amid a perfect storm of skyrocketing costs and straining consumer confidence. The cost-of-living crisis is equally a cost-of-doing-business crisis. Entrepreneurs need investment, but with the future of economic development funding facing post-Brexit uncertainty, their growth ambitions could be stifled in years to come.

The loss of EU funding in March 2023 poses significant challenges to the local enterprise sector. At Enterprise NI, we work with more than 4,000 entrepreneurs and local micro and small businesses every week. Our Local Enterprise Agency network is the front line of support throughout Northern Ireland, providing start-ups with bespoke support, flexible tenancies and advice they require to help move from idea through launch to growth. Simply put, any loss in resource would mean fewer successful entrepreneurs.

The UK’s Shared Prosperity and Levelling Up Funds are proving exciting prospects, and with the right approach, can provide a thriving support model for our local pre-enterprisers, start-ups, and growing businesses. For this funding to work on a local level, leadership is required.  A new, grassroots, co-designed approach is required to ensure that each pound being spent is providing the best service and support for individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland.

Our proposed solution is simple. By working closely with local government, central government, and Invest NI, we can create the powerful enterprise support service that aspiring entrepreneurs need. Meeting ongoing challenges means working together – in tandem, not in our silos. We can ensure the best bits of our entrepreneurial ecosystem become more effective.

We are proposing the establishment of a new ‘Primary Care Network’ in Northern Ireland so local entrepreneurs get the right support at the right time. The service will provide immediate diagnostic, local targeted assistance and informed signposting and connection to the right support throughout the enterprise ecosystem, to aspiring business owners that will truly make a difference to our villages and town and city centres.

The coming months into the new year will be extremely difficult for small and micro businesses across the country. These are some of the most hostile trading conditions in living memory, and a weakened pound only further complicates matters. A looming financial cliff-edge for start-ups and small businesses could be the death knell for budding entrepreneurs.

The stakes are high. A failure to act in a constructive, joined-up fashion will be a dereliction of duty to the thousands of aspiring business owners across Northern Ireland and to the local communities where they are based. With a joined approach from the Enterprise Northern Ireland network, Councils, Stormont, and key development agencies, we can build a new, impactful, cost-effective way of delivering enterprise support. All we need now is action.

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland: Wednesday 12 October

Forward Look                                

  • Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe TD will represent Ireland and the Euro Area at the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington on Friday.

  • Media Minister Catherine Martin TD has voiced support for a forthcoming European Media Freedom Bill to safeguard media protections and transparency.

  • Foreign Minister Simon Coveney TD is in Belfast today to meet with NI political parties. The DUP has said its unavailable due to “diary commitments”.

  • Dublin City Council has confirmed that next month, bids will be sought to design a new civic plaza for Dublin’s College Green.

  • A new €40 million fintech seed fund has been announced, backed by Enterprise Ireland.

  • Tomorrow, Leaders’ Questions will take place in the Dáil at 12.00pm. The Work Life Balance Bill will then have its Second Stage.

  • On Friday, the Seanad Public Consultation Committee will continue public hearings on its inquiry into the future of the island of Ireland.

  • A bill to ensure household energy credits is expected to pass all legislative stages this week with accelerated passage.

  • Tomorrow, the Institute of Directors will host a post-Budget economic discussion at The Alex Hotel, Dublin. For more information, click HERE.

  • Tomorrow, the Central Statistics Office will publish the latest data on consumer inflation for September as well as the residential property price index.

  • Tomorrow, the Central Bank will publish a report on enterprise policy issues following the unwinding of pandemic support schemes. The Bank is also considering new regulations to allow it to recoup form insurers the cost incurred from gathering data on the industry.

  • Tomorrow, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue TD will host an agri-food policy summit at Dublin Castle.

  • On Friday, the Law Society’s annual gala will take place at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin. On Friday 28 October, the Irish Law Awards will take place in the AVIVA Stadium, Dublin.

  • On Friday 28 October, the deadline for submissions to the Marketing Society of Ireland’s Research Excellence Awards will close. For more information, click HERE.

Other Stories this week

  • Last Thursday, the Higher Education Authority Bill completed all stages in the Oireachtas. The bill will reform governance and accountability within higher education.

  • Yesterday, the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill had its Second Stage in the House of Lords and will progress to Committee Stage.

  • Yesterday, the Joint Committee on Justice received evidence from the Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency on the rule of law in Ireland.

  • The Director of Public Prosecutions has instigated a criminal prosecution against the former Chair of An Bord Pleanála.

  • The Construction Industry Federation has said that Irish builders began work on just 4 out of 10 new homes granted panning permission due to increased material costs.

  • A €300 million south Dublin apartment scheme has had planning permission quashed following links to former An Bord Pleanála Chair, Paul Hyde.

  • Revolut has abandoned plans to establish Dublin as its Western European hub following delays in obtaining licensing from the Central Bank of Ireland, according to the Irish Independent.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 14 October, Law Society Gala.

  • 20 October, Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner.

  • 22 October, Fianna Fáil Taoiseach’s Dinner.

  • 28 October, Irish Law Awards.

  • 2 November, Food and Drink Business Conference.

  • 5 November, Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.

  • 15 December, Leo Varadkar TD becomes Taoiseach.

Consultations

Northern Ireland Screen launches new 4-year strategy; Stories, Skills and Sustainability

(L-R) Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen; Leesa Harker, writer and former Northern Ireland Screen trainee script editor; Esther Katasi, CINE scheme participant, and Gavin Kelly, Northern Ireland Screen Facilities and Sustainability Manager

On Tuesday Northern Ireland Screen launched its new strategy Stories, Skills and Sustainability detailing its ambitious plans for the next 4 years.  

Despite pandemic-related challenges the combined budgets for productions supported by Northern Ireland Screen during its last strategy (Opening Doors Phase II, 2018-22) exceeded a billion pounds, with more than £330m of that staying in the local economy, surpassing the £300m target set in 2018. Building on that success, Northern Ireland Screen’s new strategy has increased that target by more than 40% to £430m.

At an event at the Waterfront Hall, Northern Ireland Screen celebrated the success of the screen industry over the last 4 years, reflecting on the huge successes including Lisa McGee’s Derry Girls, Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar for Belfast, record breaking audiences for Line of Duty and Bloodlands and the upcoming release of Netflix’s The School for Good & Evil. 

The event also highlighted the great strides made within the games cluster in Northern Ireland with Soft Leaf Studios, Level 91 Entertainment & Bellular Studios showcasing their games to the large screen industry audience. Northern Ireland Screen stressed the critical importance of preserving and showcasing Northern Ireland’s rich moving image archive with footage from its Digital Film Archive also on display.

Ministers for the Economy and Communities endorsed the launch of Stories, Skills and Sustainability which is strongly aligned to DfE’s 10X strategy and DfC’s focus on tackling inequalities. 

Highlights within the strategy include:

·        Northern Ireland Screen’s commitment to creating ladders for the next generation of story tellers and creating an eco-system that can help produce the next Lisa McGee. This includes:

o   More than doubling Northern Ireland Screen’s skills budget to £4m per annum.

o   The ongoing importance of Moving Image Arts GCSE and A Level.

o   Nerve Belfast’s move to W5.

o   The continuation of Into Film’s ScreenWorks work experience programme.

o   Continuation of short film funding, script development funding and New Talent Focus.

·        Emphasis on the innovative growth that will be driven by Studio Ulster, Ulster University’s virtual production facility at Belfast Harbour Studios.

·        The ongoing importance of Northern Ireland Screen’s partnership with the BBC including the delivery of ‘CINE’’, the Creative Industries New Entrant programme designed to create new entrant opportunities for those most socially marginalised including the disabled, ethnic minorities and those from the lowest socioeconomic groups.

·        The introduction of environmental sustainability as a key consideration.

 

Speaking at the launch, the Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA said:

“I have had the opportunity to visit some of the productions supported by Northern Ireland Screen and I have seen at first hand the impact that these investments have.  The scale of the largest productions is really something that you cannot fully appreciate until you see ‘behind the camera’ and it is clear to me that our screen industries will be a focus for growth as we deliver the Department’s 10x Economic Vision.  These productions provide highly skilled job opportunities, placements to develop our growing screen workforce, and establish significant supply chains that all contribute to stronger economic activity.

“The 10x Vision aims to deliver innovative, inclusive and sustainable growth and Stories, Skills and Sustainability has a big part to play in delivering those objectives for the screen industries.  I am pleased to be able to announce £4.8m to enable the first year of the strategy to be delivered in full to ensure it gets off to the best possible start.”

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA said:

“Our story here is of world-class filmmakers, producers, actors, animators and game designers. Many high-profile productions made on these shores have recently made an impact across the globe.

“My Department has been working with NI Screen to keep developing our amazing pool of local talent. I am pleased to see so many young people develop skills and build career pathways so that they can reach their full potential, regardless of their background. The emphasis and energy that NI Screen programmes place on attracting participation from underrepresented groups is a particular strength of the education programme.

“Partnership is key to future success, for the screen industry and for our community. I am pleased to continue to provide support to ensure a strong and vibrant industry that benefits lives and livelihoods, now and for future generations.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen said:

“We are delighted to launch our new strategy and share our ambition for the future of the screen industry in Northern Ireland.

“While we recognise that there is considerable market turbulence right now and that there are big challenges ahead, we are confident that there will still be sufficient opportunities for the industry to continue to grow and we will do what we can to assist with these challenges. We must keep chasing the opportunities and upskilling our workforce because there are many more stories that need to be told.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Department for Economy and Department for Communities for their continued support as we endeavor to become the strongest screen industry in the UK and Ireland outside of London.”

Patrick Kielty to make big screen debut at Belfast Film Festival

(L-R) Film Director, Tony Devlin; Belfast Film Festival Programmer, Rose Baker; Director of Belfast Film Festival, Michele Devlin and star of Ballywalter, Patrick Kielty.

The world premiere of the homegrown drama Ballywalter, starring Patrick Kielty in his first feature-film acting role, has been selected as the opening film of the 22nd Belfast Film Festival (BFF), which kicks off on 3 November and runs until 12 November.

In Ballywalter, Kielty plays a man doing a weekly stand-up comedy course who develops a touching friendship with a down-on-her-luck taxi driver (Seana Kerslake); the film was written by East Belfast actor, writer and director Stacey Gregg, whose critically acclaimed first feature, Here Before, premiered at last year’s festival.

Ballywalter is just one of the many cinematic gems that will delight audiences at this year’s BFF, which launched its 2022 programme on Thursday at the Crescent Arts Centre.

New programming team Jessica Kiang and Rose Baker have curated a full and exciting programme of premières and gala screenings, panel talks, and special events which showcase the wealth of local talent and shine a spotlight on the best up-and-coming international talent.

This year‘s festival also sees the launch of new awards, which will be presented by a jury of international filmmakers and industry professionals, including BAFTA and Academy-Award-winning auteur Andrea Arnold. In the International Feature Competition, directors of first or second features will compete to win a prize fund of £10,000. £7,000 will be awarded to the Best Film director, alongside Jury Prizes of £1,500 each for Outstanding Craft Contribution and Breakout Performance.

In the spirit of cross-border collaboration, the festival will close with a joint Irish Premiere with the Cork Film Festival of the highly anticipated Aftersun starring Paul Mescal, which has been generating significant buzz since its world première at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The film is a poignant father-daughter drama written and directed by Charlotte Wells, set in Turkey in the late 1990s.

BFF will introduce 19 new critically acclaimed feature films to Northern Ireland audiences, including:

  • Local filmmaker Tony Devlin’s first feature horror film, world première of The Quarry.

  • She Said, the facts-based story of New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who wrote the article which ignited the #MeToo movement.

  • No Bears, from imprisoned Iranian director Jafar Panahi and won the Special Jury Prize at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival (VFF).

  • Irish premiere of Academy-award-winning documentarian Laura Poitras’, All the Beauty and The Bloodshed follows artist and activist Nan Goldin in her fight to bring down the Sackler family, who have been blamed for causing the opioid crisis. The film was awarded the Golden Lion for best film at VFF 2022.

  • Tori et Lokita, Joyland and EO won the 75th Anniversary Prize, Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, and the Festival Jury Prize, respectively, at the Cannes International Film Festival in May.

In addition to screenings of feature films and shorts, the BFF lineup includes several special events:

  • ‘Vox Populi’: An installation of UTV archive film at the iconic former Bank of Ireland building.

  • ‘The Weird and the Eerie’: An audio-visual, hauntological experiment which delves into the Northern Irish televisual archive of the last century and brings back the stranger and more macabre elements of life in the six counties. Belfast’s own Vendetta Suite will provide musical accompaniment.

  • ‘The Secret Life of a Film Critic’: A celebration of Brian Henry Martin’s 30-year career.

  • A celebration of the 40th anniversary of Channel 4 in association with Queen’s University, Belfast.

  • A Douglas Sirk Retrospective showcasing three of the filmmaker’s most celebrated works.

The inaugural Belfast XR Festival will also be part of this year’s BFF on Wednesday, 9 November. The one-day event will showcase the best local and international immersive technology content for expanded reality that inspires storytelling.

Director or Belfast Film Festival, Michele Devlin said:

“The appointment of our new programming duo has brought a dynamic and fresh energy to the festival, and I have no doubt we will inspire new audiences with this year’s incredibly diverse line-up.

“New places and new technology, internationalism and indigenous talent are the cornerstones of the 22nd Belfast Film Festival. We honour the past with our Vox Populi screenings in the historic Bank of Ireland site of the planned new “Belfast Stories” screen centre on Royal Avenue; and we embrace the future in the spacious, shiny new auditoriums of Cineworld at the Odyssey.

“Re-energized and excited, we invite audiences to join us on a cinematic journey around the world this November.”

Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, Richard Williams said:

“The festival’s continued expansion and ability to attract world-class filmmaking talent has mirrored the explosion of activity in our local film and TV industry in Northern Ireland in recent years. The team at the Belfast Film Festival has put together a superb programme of events, and Northern Ireland Screen is very pleased to be able to support the festival this year.”

The entire 22nd Belfast Film Festival Programme can be viewed at https://belfastfilmfestival.org/whats-on

Festival Passes and Tickets can be purchased at: www.belfastfilmfestival.org

Leading mental health charity, Inspire calls on MLAs to tackle rising cost of living

A delegation of four organisations led by mental health charity Inspire held an event at Stormont this morning to highlight the impact of the rising cost of living on the public's mental health and call for solutions to reduce the pressure across society.

It comes as a new YouGov survey commissioned by Inspire shows that 79% of adults in Northern Ireland consider their mental health to have been adversely impacted by the cost of living. Meanwhile, two-thirds (66%) were anxious about what the next 12 months will entail in terms of their financial situation.

Inspire, foodbank charity the Trussell Trust NI, Carers NI and Age NI are issuing an urgent appeal for the Northern Ireland Executive to be formed and for political leadership to address ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The asks form the basis of a joint ‘Release the Pressure’ campaign launching today on World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October). 

The campaign sets out several key asks designed to address the structural issues exacerbated by the present crisis, including the immediate formation of an Executive and Assembly; a three-year Budget that prioritises public services and the alleviation of poverty; and a fully funded mental health strategy.

The campaign is underpinned by a variety of online resources and materials for those who are experiencing mental health pressures linked to the increased cost of living. Inspire is also encouraging people to take small steps towards easing feelings of anxiety and worry. This includes building the 5 Steps to Wellbeing into one’s daily routine, reaching out for help that’s available, and finding the right information on a range of supports.

Inspire’s Chief Executive, Kerry Anthony MBE, said:

“The current economic and political situation is affecting us all. Our research confirms that the mental health of the population is being negatively impacted right now and people are anxious about what the next 12 months will bring.

“Through this campaign, we want to raise awareness of the steps people can take to help ease the pressure they are feeling. But there is only so much individuals can do.

“Government intervention is now urgently required to release the pressure people, families and communities are under. First, we need a Northern Ireland Executive in place to provide policies that will protect communities this winter. We’re also calling for a multi-year budget with an in-built cost-of-living focus, as well as a fully funded mental health strategy.”

Carers NI’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Craig Harrison, said:

“Unpaid carers are among the groups hardest hit by this cost-of-living crisis. They have already faced above-average household bills due to their caring role and many are looking to the winter months with fear and dread as the price of energy and other essentials continues to skyrocket.

“To have a situation where carers are being forced to sit in cold, dark houses, with bare cupboards, is intolerable and requires action now.”

The Trussell Trust’s Northern Ireland Lead, Jonny Currie, said:

“Each day, we’re seeing the cost of living exacerbating pre-existing inequalities and poverty in all corners of our communities. Food bank use across our network, from April to June, increased by 30% compared to the same time last year and we expect that figure to increase in the winter months ahead.

“People simply cannot afford to turn on their cookers or do a basic food shop. Many are skipping meals to keep up with other essential costs. We cannot, in good conscience, allow life for so many people to continue like this. Continued political inaction helps no one.” 

Age NI’s Head of Policy and Engagement, Eithne Gilligan, said:

“At Age NI, we are concerned that higher costs are pushing some older people into poverty. Those on low or modest incomes and fixed pensions have no room to manoeuvre when it comes to making ends meet.

“We know that some older people are cutting back their spending on food and other essentials. Fear is growing at the prospect of what the winter will bring and there is already a sense of helplessness in anticipation of what lies ahead.

“We need decisive action, immediately followed by clear information on the help that is to come to relieve the pressure.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 5 October

  • Incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD has said he does not envisage having to introduce a mini-budget early next year.

  • Junior Minister for Financial Services, Seán Fleming TD has published an updated ‘Ireland for Finance’ strategy. To view, click HERE.

  • Cabinet has signed off on legislation to underpin reforms to An Bord Pleanála. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has also published an action plan. To read, click HERE.

  • This evening, the Dáil will debate amendments to the Higher Education Authority Bill.

  • Tomorrow, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence will face the Dáil for Questions.

  • Tomorrow, leading figures in Irish business will speak at The Business Show at the Convention Centre, Dublin. For more information, click HERE.

  • On Friday 7 October, the Central Statistics Office will unveil the latest industrial production and turnover statistics.

  • On Tuesday 11 October, the Women in Business All-Island Female Entrepreneurs Conference will take place in both Dublin and Belfast. For more information, click HERE.

  • From Tuesday 11 to Wednesday 12 October, Hospitality Expo 2022 will take place the RDS, Dublin. For more information, click HERE.

  • On Wednesday 12 October, Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland will host a conference at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. The party’s Ard Fheis will take place at the RDS, Dublin on 4 and 5 November. On 23 November, an Ireland’s Future summit will take place at the Ulster Hall, Belfast.

  • On Thursday 13 October, applications to the post of CEO at the Health Service Executive will close.

  • The latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll of the parties places Sinn Féin on 37%, ahead of Fine Gael (21%), and Fianna Fáil (20%).

Other Stories this week

  • On Saturday, Fianna Fáil delegates adopted twelve new policy objectives set out in a document at the party’s Ard Fheis.

  • Nicola Skelly has been appointed Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program.

  • Professor Breda Smyth has been appointed Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health.

  • The Central Bank’s quarterly bulletin has forecasted a drop in growth from 6.4% this year to 2.3% in 2023.

  • Vacant positions in the hospitality sector fell from 40,000 last autumn to 22,000 in July, according to data from Fáilte Ireland.

  • Mediahuis Ireland CEO, Peter Vandermeersch has said the money saved from VAT reductions will go towards developing digital platforms.

  • Ireland’s manufacturing output fell for the fourth consecutive month, according to AIB.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 6 October, Construction Industry Federation Annual Conference.

  • 11 October, Women in Business Female Entrepreneurs Conference.

  • 11 – 12 October, Hospitality Expo 2022.

  • 14 October, Law Society Gala.

  • 20 October, Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner.

  • 22 October, Fianna Fáil Taoiseach’s Dinner.

  • 5 November, Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.

  • 15 December, Leo Varadkar TD becomes Taoiseach.

Consultations