
Royal Mail announced this week that from 2 May 2020 it will reduce its service delivery by removing letter deliveries on Saturdays. Tracked parcels and Special Delivery items and most parcels will still be delivered on Saturdays. Embed from Getty Images Shane O’Riordain, Managing Director of marketing, regulation and corporate affairs at Royal Mail, […]
Apr 29 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

Education Minister Peter Weir has made a further announcement on the alternative awarding arrangements that will be used for Occupational Studies and CCEA Entry Level qualifications. Embed from Getty Images This follows an earlier statement on 16 April in relation to the arrangements for grading GCSEs and A levels in Northern Ireland for summer […]
Apr 29 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

Health Minister Robin Swann has issued a detailed breakdown of the expansion of Covid-19 testing in Northern Ireland. The expansion includes surveillance testing in general practices and hospitals, as well the increased testing in care homes confirmed yesterday. Speaking to Newry Times, Minister Swann said, “Testing has always been a critical part of our […]
Apr 29 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has thanked Assembly members for swiftly passing legislation to strengthen protection to private renters during the COVID-19 crisis. Embed from Getty Images The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill was introduced into the Assembly 21 April 2020 and had its final stage yesterday, Tuesday 28 April. It will […]
Apr 29 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the establishment of a free remote interpreting service for British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to help them access NHS111 and health and social care services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Embed from Getty Images This temporary service, which is funded by the Department of […]
Apr 29 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

Furloughed workers who are entitled to statutory family-related payments will not lose out. Embed from Getty Images Economy Minister Diane Dodds and Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey announced changes to regulations which mean that people who are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Shared Parental Pay will not […]
Apr 29 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

Dear Editor, Imagine a fire has just swept through Northern Ireland. With concentrated effort from everyone in society, it has been largely put out, but we aren’t out of danger yet – small secondary fires continue to burn and if these fires aren’t attended to, they can spread just as quickly, causing even more devastation. […]

Trading Standards and The Consumer Council are warning unscrupulous traders to stop exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic to profiteer, or face action. Whilst recognising the efforts of retailers to keep chains open during difficult times, the joint warning comes after complaints from consumers in relation to price gouging. Price gouging or profiteering is the […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

The Minister of Health, Robin Swann, has provided an important update on pay for health and social care staff. This included confirmation of pay awards for Agenda for Change employees and an update for doctors and dentists. Agenda for Change is the pay, terms and conditions framework for most health and social care […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »

The Agriculture Minister has written to the Chief Executives of each of the 11 Councils, NIGLA and Arc21, with five key principles to help them decide on any changes to waste services in a response to the Covid-19 emergency. Embed from Getty Images Speaking to Newry Times, Minister Poots said, “I recognise the vital […]
Apr 28 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
Read More »