Belfast Telegraph

Will Magee expansion to 10,000 students actually happen?

Expansion of Ulster University’s Magee campus to 10,000 students by 2032 “is the single biggest transformative economic project, not just for this city but for the entire North West,” argues Stephen Kelly, who is chair of the Magee task force as well as chief executive of Manufacturing NI. He was appointed by Sinn Fein’s former economy […]

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The North West is Different

New opinion polling has provided important evidence of how the North West’s population regards the cross-border regional economy. There is overwhelming support amongst those living on both sides of the border for closer integration between Co. Donegal with Derry and Tyrone. This is no surprise for those of us living close to the border, who

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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

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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

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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

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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

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