Research published on impact of US tariffs on Northern Ireland
Two independent research papers have examined how recent changes in US trade policy are likely to hit Northern Ireland's economy. Both were commissioned by the Department for the Economy: a macroeconomic paper from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and...
NI unemployment falls to 1.8% as median pay rises 4.9% on the year
NISRA's July labour market release shows a tighter jobs market and fewer redundancies, though hours worked are down on last year Northern Ireland's unemployment rate fell to 1.8% in the March-May 2026 quarter, down 0.4 percentage points on the previous quarter and...
Hughes Engineering Works is growing and competing in new markets
Hughes Engineering Works, the structural steel fabricator based just outside Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, is stepping up its push into new export markets after securing financial support from Invest NI. The company, which fabricates and erects structural steel for...
Industry united in frustration as Stormont hears stark cost of inaction on wastewater constraint
Industry leaders, MLAs and key stakeholders gathered at Parliament Buildings on 1 July for the launch of a major new report warning that wastewater capacity constraints are now a critical brake on investment, housing and economic growth across Northern Ireland — with...
Five companies partner with AMIC on £7.9m productivity drive
Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, has announced a £7.9 million collaborative research and development project between the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and five local engineering and manufacturing businesses. The collaborative project, called...
FBIS update – Right to Work
The Home Office is hosting a series of practical information events to help employers understand and prepare for changes to the Right to Work (RtW) Scheme that will come into force on 1 October 2026. The sessions will also cover the increasing use of digital...
Euro-CASE conference
The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Irish Academy of Engineering will be jointly hosting the 2026 Euro-CASE conference on 19 November 2026 at the ICC, Belfast. The conference’s theme, “Engineering resilience: Securing Europe’s critical infrastructure in a...
Employers Federation Employment Law & HR Conference
Employers Federation Employment Law and HR Conference 16 September 2026 at Crowne Plaza The Employers Federation Employment Law and HR Conference is our flagship event. This year’s event is especially significant as we are celebrating our 160th anniversary and paying...
Upcoming changes affecting steel movements into Northern Ireland from 1 July 2026
Manufacturers and businesses moving steel products into Northern Ireland should prepare now for significant changes taking effect from 1st July 2026. The UK Government has confirmed that new UK and EU steel measures will come into force from this date, affecting the...