Shotoflight Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I don't think anyone is claiming the economy is 'booming'. Recovering is the best that can be said and we all have to welcome that. What I would welcome is an increase in my standard of living, not a reduction, going forward. Selfish, I know, but hardly too much to ask for in the midst of a 'recovery', eh?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Pharmaceutical firm Almac creates 348 jobshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28787510 The development is being supported with Invest NI grants of £5.5m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Danske shuts two more branches as staff are relocatedhttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/danske-shuts-two-more-branches-as-staff-are-relocated-30512602.html Staff in Maghera and Dungiven will be relocated to other roles, the bank added. In June the Danish-owned lender announced it would be closing two branches in Holywood and Shankill Road, west Belfast, in September and moving customers to its Belfast city centre headquarters. Its latest closures will leave Danske Bank with around 48 branches in Northern Ireland, compared to 95 in 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 London property boom a boon for building firm as turnover hits £26mhttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/the-skys-the-limit-for-high-rise-facade-specialists-mcmullen-30510002.html A boom in high-rises in London has helped a Co Down specialist construction firm reach turnover of £26.4m in the 14 months to January 2014. McMullen Facades in Moira had profits before tax of £25,638But it has been some years since it last worked in Northern Ireland, with all its recent contracts relating to projects in England –particularly London. McMullen Facades in Moira –formerly known as McMullen Architectural Systems – has been part of the Lakesmere Group in England since 2012 and employs 140 people. The recently filed accounts mark its first full accounting year since the takeover, which followed financial difficulties for the then family-run Moira firm. The firm worked on landmark residential and office buildings in Belfast such as The Soloist at Lanyon Place, the Obel Building and The Boat. But Mr McMullen said there had been no projects at home since it finished work on The Soloist around three years ago. "Unfortunately because of the decline in the construction industry, we don't currently work on projects in Northern Ireland," he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Number of Northern Ireland people in employment is highest level ever BT http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/number-of-northern-ireland-people-in-employment-is-highest-level-ever-30507636.html More than 820,000 people are currently employed in Northern Ireland, marking the highest level of people in work ever and further proof of an economy in recovery, an economist has said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Not a big player here, I think - but interesting nonetheless. Nationwide profits soar as lending dropsBanking business boosts profits 141% but largest mortgage provider for first-time buyers lending down by a third http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/aug/18/nationwide-profits-soar-mortgage-lending-dives Profits at Nationwide building society soared by 141% in the three months from April to June 2014 despite a one-third drop in lending to homebuyers owing in part to a regulatory crackdown on mortgages. The society said its first-quarter profits jumped from £105m to £253m, boosted by an increase in current account customers switching from other banks, and higher deposits by members. But the rise comes despite a steep fall in lending volumes. During the quarter, the society lent a total of £5.8bn, down from £6.4bn compared with the same quarter last year. Net lending – which paints a truer picture as it strips out the effect of people paying off their loans or simply remortgaging – was down even more, falling from £2.6bn to £1.7bn. Nationwide is the biggest lender to first-time buyers in the UK, accounting for around one in six loans in the sector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 One of the world's biggest international law firms is to create over 250 jobs in Belfast. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28952982 The positions will attract salaries of more than £8m, an average of £31,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 36% lack basic necessities: Reporthttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/36-lack-basic-necessities-report-30536266.html More than a quarter of adults in Northern Ireland live without basic necessities like food, heat or clothing, research on poverty has revealed.The amount of people who suffer similar multiple deprivation soars to 36% if they personally experienced violent events, threats and intimidation during the Troubles. The alarming figures were discovered in the largest study of its kind ever carried out in the UK which examined how a lack of money is impacting sections of society. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Brake on car sales may signal an end to Northern Ireland spending recovery http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/brake-on-car-sales-may-signal-an-end-to-northern-ireland-spending-recovery-30562639.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 More people left Northern Ireland than came to live herehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28974369 More people left Northern Ireland than came to live in it over the past year, according to the latest official estimates. They show that from mid-2012 to mid-2013 there was an inflow of 23,100 people while 25,438 left. That gives a net international emigration figure of 2,338 and is the third year in a row of net emigration. Most of those leaving were aged between 25 and 44. By contrast, net migration into the UK totalled 243,000 in the year to March, up from 175,000 in the previous 12 months. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the increase in migration was "statistically significant". EU citizens accounted for two-thirds of the immigration increase, the ONS said. During Northern Ireland's economic boom years there was annual net immigration which peaked at almost 11,000 in 2006/07. Between 2004 and 2013 there was estimated net immigration of just over 30,000 people. Dungannon and Craigavon council areas saw the biggest inflows, accounting for more than a third of net immigration in that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 NI's economy has slowed down but 'remains on track', according to Ulster Bankhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29087417 The recovery of Northern Ireland's private sector has slowed down but "remains on track", according to data provided by the Ulster Bank. It said in August, firms had their 14th successive month of growth in orders, output and employment. But its chief economist Richard Ramsey said the pace of the recovery had slipped to its "weakest" since March. "As the recovery continues, growth rates are anticipated to moderate to more normal levels." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Bombardier cutting jobs in Belfasthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29140990 Bombardier in Belfast is planning to cut up to 390 jobs as a result of a company restructuring. The firm will be cutting 300 temporary and contract jobs, and is seeking 90 redundancies from its permanent workforce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Bank of England boss: interest rates likely to rise months before wages dohttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/09/bank-of-england-interest-rates-rise-wages-mark-carney-tuc The Bank of England's governor, Mark Carney, has warned trade union members that they face higher interest rates next spring before they receive rises in real wages. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Trades Union Congress on Tuesday, Carney said interest rates could start to climb from their record low of 0.5% in early 2015, while above-inflation pay rises were not expected before summer at the earliest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Danske Bank closing branches in Kircubbin, Lisnaskea and east Belfasthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29174864 Meanwhile, First Trust Bank said it is to close two branches by 5 December. Its Coalisland, County Tyrone, branch customers will transfer to nearby Dungannon, while customers of the Carrickfergus, County Antrim, branch will transfer to Glengormley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Phones 4U's 96 Northern Ireland staff's jobs at riskhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29215011 Almost 100 jobs at Phones 4U's Northern Ireland stores are at risk, after the retailer went into administration. Accountancy firm PwC has been appointed to see if any of the 560 stores and 160 concessions can be re-opened or sold. It said 96 staff were employed at its 16 Northern Ireland outlets, which include four concessions within Dixons Carphone stores. Phones 4u's Northern Ireland stores are in: Belfast - Donegall Place and Castle Lane Londonderry Lisburn Newtownabbey Newry Bangor Ballymena Newtownards Omagh Craigavon Coleraine The retailer, owned by private equity firm BC Partners, also has concessions at Dixons Carphone outlets in Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Derry and in Belfast's Forestside Shopping Centre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Job fears at North West Independent Hospital in Ballykellyhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29214176 Up to 60 jobs are at risk at a private hospital in County Londonderry. The North West Independent Hospital in Ballykelly has confirmed it has started redundancy talks, and up to a third of its 180 staff could be affected. In July, the Health and Social Care Board told health trusts to "pause" referrals to private clinics as part of a move to save money. The clinic said the threat to jobs was directly linked to the cut in NHS referrals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 10% of all workers in NI on National Minimum Wage. Amongst the highest in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/342381/NMW__jobs_UK_2013.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 US software firm creates 100 jobs in Belfast with average wage of £37,000 each. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29285697 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) It's funny, I was listening to Arlene Foster talk about the 400 or so job losses at Bombardier. Foster said it's ok; we haven't given Bombardier any "recent" Invest NI aid. Looking at some of the InvestNI newsletters they insist on sending me, it looks like Bombardier received £21 million in 2011 from InvestNI and £120 million in repayable aid from Westminster. Is this InvestNI's long-term plan? Are they trying to create jobs for 3 year? Edited September 22, 2014 by 2buyornot2buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martymcfly Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29340197 The Northern Ireland Executive will have to find £200m of cuts between October and April, equivalent to 4% of all departmental budgets. If health spending continues to be protected the cuts at all other departments will rise to 6%. The Belfast Telegraph reported the move could mean a redundancy scheme for civil servants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 People living in Northern Ireland are the happiest in the UK - and that is official. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-boasts-four-of-the-five-happiest-places-in-the-uk-30613325.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Perhaps this is why? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29370458 Perhaps this is why? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29370458 People in Northern Ireland consume more happy pills than last year - and that is official. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 UK cuts to last five more years, ex-civil service boss sayshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29373230 The outgoing head of the civil service has predicted another five years of UK government spending cuts - and he said making the cuts would be "even harder". Sir Bob Kerslake said one of the difficulties was that "easier" savings had already been made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Ulster Bank boost 'down to rising house prices' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29424082 Ulster Bank has said rising house prices contributed to a £300m improvement in its loan book in the third quarter of 2014. The bank said the money which had been set aside to cover expected losses will now be freed up for other purposes. It added that "the potential exists for further releases" if market conditions improve further. House prices across Ireland are rising, particularly in Dublin which has seen a rise of 25% in the last year. About 45% of Ulster Bank's Republic of Ireland mortgage business is in Dublin. Ulster Bank is the largest bank in Northern Ireland and the third biggest in the Republic. Meanwhile, the Irish Times has reported that the bank is expected to commit itself to continue operating in the Republic when it publishes its third quarter results at the end of October. The bank's parent company, RBS, has been reviewing Ulster Bank's operations. The Northern Ireland part of the bank has already become more closely aligned with RBS UK. However, the future of the bank in the Republic of Ireland had been more uncertain. There was speculation that the bank was seeking to merge its Dublin-based business with a lender such as Permanent TSB. There had also been reports that RBS approached private equity firms to invest in such a merger. The Irish Times report says a recommendation will be made shortly to the RBS executive committee that it should retain full ownership of Ulster Bank. It will also recommend that RBS commit resources to grow the business and become a challenger to AIB and Bank of Ireland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Ballymena cigarette factory JTI Gallaher to closehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29527169 Cigarette maker JTI Gallaher is to shut its factory in County Antrim with the loss of about 800 jobs. Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the move was "bad news for the Northern Ireland economy as a whole". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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