Popular NI bar and restaurant shuts after over two decades: ‘It’s no longer worth it to stay open’ belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/north…

This week we celebrated the 25th anniversary of devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Featuring fantastic speakers inc John Swinney, Mark Drakeford 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, Clodagh Rice, Emma Congreve, Katy Hayward, David Phillips & Jonathan Tench.

Watch it back ⤵️ resolutionfoundation.org/events/policy-…

The Herberts have bought back Bloomfield Shopping Centre. They were part of a JV which paid c£60m for it in 2002. It was sold out of receivership to Ellandi/Tristan Capital for c£50m in 2015. Now back with the Herberts for a reported £22m. belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/north…

🚨 New Pivotal report on economic inactivity in Northern Ireland - what does the latest data tell us, why does it matter, and how should policies respond?

Read the report here
pivotalppf.org/cmsfiles/Publi…

. UK Covid-19 Inquiry hears that in an exchange between himself and the Robin Swann , the CMO Sir Michael McBride referred to NI Executive as “dysfunctional bastards”, see direct quote below.

Speaking at our devolution conference, Katy Hayward highlights some of the missed opportunities for devolved policy making in Northern Ireland - notably the failure the reduce child poverty and, relatedly, limiting the impact of the two-child limit on welfare support.

Speaking at our event David Phillips says that a lot of the supply side areas of economic policy are already devolved - such as education, skills and housing supply. And Scotland's track record on using these powers effectively hasn't been great.

Economic lessons from 25 years of national devolution: tomorrow we're hosting a major conference, in partnership with PolicyWISE, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Sign up to watch live here:
resolutionfoundation.org/events/policy-…

Are the blurred lines between UK-wide and devolved responsiblities a problem for policy makers, asks Clodagh Rice ? They can be but Dyfed Alsop Welsh Revenue Authority says it can be used to as an advantage too as it encourages good working relationships with HM Revenue & Customs for example.

If we are to deliver on sustainable public finances we need a plan for sustainable public services. i.e. a programme for government. I've been in the NERI almost 8 years, we haven't moved beyond a draft Programme for Government in all of that time.

Talking to Clodagh Rice BBC News NI about the need for the Budget to provide funding to support both the new Early Learning & Childcare Strategy & short term support for #childcare providers & parents who are at breaking point.
Aoife Hamilton 📺📻

Stormont budget: What does it mean for childcare, waiting lists and water? bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…

Finance Minister has fleshed out a bit more detail on budget:

Health getting over half- inc £34m for waiting lists

Education will receive about one fifth- inc £25m for childcare

Flagship capital projects like A6 & Casement will get £180m+£20m for Strule Shared Education Campus

Stormont ministers have agreed a budget for this financial year, with the Department of Health getting the largest share of day-to-day funding bbc.in/3xTCSgp

Lecterns set up for a press conference at Stormont Castle, implying the budget has been agreed.