Belfast Telegraph

Cross-border inward investment would be a positive development

The cross-border north-west region is the weakest both within Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland. Statistics for unemployment, low wages and deprivation are similar in Donegal to those in the Derry and Strabane council area. The two areas also have too few school leavers going into higher and further education for the health

Cross-border inward investment would be a positive development Read More »

UK-EU reset may resolve many issues over Irish Sea border, but lack of consensus is worrying

Relationships with bloc to remain uncertain as future government likely to be more antagonistic to Brussels and could pull out of agreement. The combination of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump as globally powerful leaders has had a seismic impact on European politics. Suddenly security is a major concern across the continent — including for the

UK-EU reset may resolve many issues over Irish Sea border, but lack of consensus is worrying Read More »

Shake-up of UK investment strategy should prompt Stormont to end ongoing regional bias

The bulk of public money is spent in greater Belfast area, leading to serious variations in economical and social outcomes. Surely the purpose of government is to improve the wellbeing of the population as a whole, not just a part. Investment is needed to produce returns that can be measured in economic, social or environmental

Shake-up of UK investment strategy should prompt Stormont to end ongoing regional bias Read More »

Beware doubtful savings

Beware schemes that offer apparently too good to be true savings. And beware, too, schemes that so lack transparency that the consumer may even feel unaware of having joined them.   A relative of mine recently contacted me to advise that she was being charged £18 a month for no obvious reason. When she looked

Beware doubtful savings Read More »

The skills challenge facing Northern Ireland exporters

“Firms involved in global markets tend to require higher skilled workers than firms that only serve the domestic market,” according to a study from the World Trade Organisation. The implications of the WTO report (‘Skills and Export Competitiveness for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’) are that businesses, especially smaller firms, are dependent on the quality of

The skills challenge facing Northern Ireland exporters Read More »

Mutualising Northern Ireland Water

Capital investment is essential for economic growth and to upgrade our infrastructure. This is especially the case with NI Water, whose works backlog is constraining housing and industrial development and urban regeneration. Public spending on infrastructure is limited by spending rules self-imposed by the UK government, concerned about fiscal credibility in global markets. High levels

Mutualising Northern Ireland Water Read More »

Assisted dying

My mother died two decades ago from Motor Neurone Disease. I was living in Derry, with primary caring responsibility for three young children. The guilt of not helping to look after her in those final months lingers with me. It was my father who provided that caring role. But it could never be adequate to

Assisted dying Read More »