John Campbell

Real disposable income per person in Northern Ireland increased by 4.1% in 2024, the largest rise among UK regions, compared with a UK-wide increase of 3.1%. The increase was likely driven by inflation-linked rises in benefits and pensions, a higher minimum wage, and stronger real wage growth in the private sector. Northern Ireland’s average disposable income was £22,258 per person, below the UK average of £26,490, while London recorded more than £36,000. Within Northern Ireland, Lisburn and Castlereagh had the highest average income and Derry and Strabane the lowest.

Average house prices in Northern Ireland rose 2.1% between the first and second quarters of 2026 and 9.2% year on year, reaching just under £202,500—the first time they have exceeded £200,000 since the late-2000s property crash. Lisburn and Castlereagh was the most expensive council area, while Mid and East Antrim was the cheapest. Detached homes averaged £312,000, semi-detached homes £204,000 and apartments £148,000 after a sharp quarterly increase. Strong employment and a chronic undersupply of new homes, worsened by infrastructure constraints including wastewater capacity, are identified as key drivers.

Harland & Wolff will spend £3m refurbishing Belfast’s iconic Samson and Goliath cranes as part of nearly £100m of investment by Navantia ahead of the Fleet Solid Support programme for three Royal Navy support ships. The Belfast yard will handle final assembly, with blocks for the first vessel, RFA Resurgent, expected to arrive in early 2027. Separately, Airbus has begun work on a 6,221 sq m extension of its Belfast wing facility to increase A220 production, including a new autoclave, electrical infrastructure, offices and additional skills investment through 40 new apprentices.

A draft Northern Ireland strategy proposes using AI across the public sector to automate routine administration such as document processing, data entry, minute-taking, consultations and basic queries. It does not explicitly propose job cuts, but anticipates changes to civil-service work, new departmental human-oversight teams and training. NIPSA general secretary Carmel Gates warns that AI could undermine confidentiality, workers’ rights, job security and dignity, and calls for full consultation. The strategy also advocates adapting proven off-the-shelf systems rather than building bespoke tools, while developing sovereign, green computing infrastructure and data centres to reduce dependence on cloud providers and support AI experimentation.

A draft Stormont strategy proposes using AI across Northern Ireland’s public sector to automate routine administration such as document processing, data entry, minute-taking, query handling and planning applications. It does not propose job cuts, but calls for staff to be freed for human interaction and for departments to establish human oversight teams. NIPSA is seeking full consultation and safeguards for confidential work, jobs and employment conditions. The strategy also recommends adopting proven technologies rather than building bespoke systems and investing in sovereign, green data-centre infrastructure to reduce reliance on cloud providers, while acknowledging the energy and water demands of such facilities.

A debate in the Dáil on the financial implications of Irish unity featured Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould comparing economists who project high unification costs to climate change deniers. Estimates range from €11bn annually in a study co‑authored by Prof John Fitzgerald to about €2.5bn in an alternative analysis by Prof John Doyle. Finance Minister Simon Harris cautioned that unification costs cannot be reduced to a single figure, emphasising dynamic fiscal effects and long‑term policy choices. A Sinn Féin proposal for a citizens’ assembly and planning measures for unity was recently voted down by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority urged Stormont to strengthen consumer protections for heating‑oil users after prices in Northern Ireland surged by 92 percent during the outbreak of conflict involving Iran. While finding the market generally competitive, the CMA said consumers lack safeguards comparable to those in regulated gas and electricity sectors. It recommended supplier registration, clearer pricing and payment information, and a register for vulnerable households. The watchdog is also examining potential contract breaches after suppliers cancelled lower‑priced orders as wholesale costs spiked, affecting about 1,700 customers. Some firms have agreed to compensate consumers, and enforcement action may follow for those that do not. Industry representatives welcomed the findings, while Northern Ireland’s economy minister said the recommendations would be reviewed to ensure proportionate action.

The Competition and Markets Authority recommended stronger consumer protection measures for Northern Ireland’s heating oil sector after significant price spikes linked to the Iran conflict. The watchdog found the market competitive but lacking safeguards comparable to gas and electricity, urging clearer pricing standards, better support for vulnerable consumers, and a supplier registration system. About 1,700 customers across the UK were affected by potential contract breaches when suppliers cancelled low‑priced orders during price surges, with some firms now agreeing to compensate. Industry representatives welcomed findings showing competitive pricing, while Stormont’s Economy Minister said the recommendations will be carefully considered.

Inflation is eroding the value of Northern Ireland’s £1.5bn City and Growth Deals by more than £35m per year as slow progress leaves most funding unspent, according to the NI Audit Office. Less than 5% of central government capital funding had been used by March 2025, with only slight improvement forecast. The watchdog warns that continued delays risk undermining long‑term project viability and could jeopardize funding, particularly as councils face future operational costs. Several projects, including the Mourne Mountains Gateway and key developments in Derry, face setbacks due to land access issues, budget uncertainty or paused planning. Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance and the UK Government say they remain committed to delivering the deals and associated economic benefits.

Inflation is eroding the value of Northern Ireland’s City and Growth Deals by more than £35m annually as slow project delivery leaves most central government funding unspent. The NI Audit Office warned that delays threaten long‑term viability, with less than 5% of funding used to date and key risks not formally recognised. Major projects, including the Mourne Mountains Gateway and Ulster University developments in Derry, face setbacks, raising concerns about sustainability and future costs. Government departments say objectives will still be met as deals progress, while auditors caution that benefits may not be maximised without accelerated delivery.

Irish businessman and philanthropist Martin Naughton has died aged 87. He built Glen Electric into multinational group Glen Dimplex, owner of brands such as Morphy Richards and Lec, and donated extensively to education and the arts across Ireland. Major contributions included funding for the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, establishing the Naughton Gallery at Queen’s University Belfast, and a €25m gift to Trinity College Dublin, the largest private philanthropic donation in Irish history. Academic leaders praised his longstanding support for universities and his role in promoting cross‑border cooperation through InterTradeIreland.

Local parties and UK ministers will meet at Hillsborough Castle to attempt agreement on a Stormont budget after months of deadlock. Northern Ireland departments have been operating on contingency funding, with warnings of service cuts if no deal is reached. Ministers argue the region is underfunded compared with Scotland and Wales, a position supported by the NI Fiscal Council. Treasury reviews have urged revenue-raising measures and cost reductions, including civil service cuts, while signalling that reform would be expected in exchange for additional funds. Earlier draft budget proposals were rejected by other parties, who agree that more Westminster funding is required. Opposition figures warn of worsening delays, cancellations, and job losses unless progress is made.

Government ministers and Northern Ireland’s political parties will meet at Hillsborough Castle in a renewed effort to agree a Stormont budget after months of reliance on contingency funding. Local ministers argue that Northern Ireland is underfunded compared with Scotland and Wales, a position partly supported by the Fiscal Council, though large increases in funding are seen as unlikely. The Treasury’s recent review identified potential cost‑saving and revenue‑raising measures, suggesting reforms would be expected in exchange for extra funding. Previous draft budget proposals were rejected by coalition partners, and opposition leaders warn that delays are already affecting key programmes and jobs, increasing pressure for a concrete agreement.

Invest NI chief executive Kieran Donoghue defended withholding details about Cantor Fitzgerald’s decision to abandon a proposed 300‑job investment in Belfast, arguing that revealing commercially sensitive information would undermine investor trust. Questioned by Stormont’s economy committee, he said the US firm opposed disclosing discussions from a meeting with Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald. Donoghue said maintaining confidentiality is essential to attracting future investors, noting he was informed on 17 March that the project would not proceed.

Chronic underinvestment in Northern Ireland’s water infrastructure is projected to reduce economic output by £10.9bn by 2040, according to modelling by economist Andrew Webb for industry and business groups. Wastewater capacity limits are restricting new housing and development, while NI Water continues to rely on a government subsidy that diverts more than £300m annually from the Stormont budget. A proposed £65 household levy could improve long‑term capacity, though Stormont parties oppose water charges. The infrastructure minister instead favours developer contributions and technical measures to boost capacity, amid criticism from the SDLP that the approach will have limited impact.

Underfunding of Northern Ireland’s water system is projected to limit development and reduce economic output by nearly £11bn by 2040, according to modelling commissioned by construction, housing and business groups. The report attributes the losses to wastewater infrastructure constraints that hinder housebuilding and other growth. It outlines scenarios showing that a small household levy could enable upgrades and produce long‑term economic gains, though Stormont parties and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins oppose mandatory water charges. The government currently subsidises NI Water at a cost exceeding £300m annually, while alternative proposals include voluntary developer contributions, which critics argue would be insufficient.

Five Northern Ireland manufacturers will invest nearly £8m in robotic welding technology through a collaboration led by the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, supported by almost £5m from Invest NI. The project aims to improve automation, productivity and quality while addressing skilled‑welder shortages. Companies expect gains in programming efficiency and competitiveness amid pressure from rising Chinese dominance in high‑value manufacturing sectors, with about 20 jobs to be created across participating firms.