Business

Skills in the spotlight as 14th Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards launches at Hickson's Point

Gary McDonald Business Editor

19 February, 2020

BUSINESSES in Northern Ireland need access to highly skilled people to help further boost the economy, new Department for Economy minister Diane Dodds said yesterday.

Northern Ireland ends 2019 with near-record low unemployment rate, despite spike in redundancies

NORTHERN Ireland ended 2019 with a near record low employment rate of just 2.4 per cent, despite 3,041 redundancies over the 12 months.

Progressive confirms Belfast branch closure following review of operations

PROGRESSIVE Building Society is shutting its Arthur Square branch in Belfast at the end of May, with all five current staff members being made redundant.

Novosco completes first phase of major NHS trust deal

BELFAST-based tech firm Novosco, has announced the completion of the first phase of a multi-million-pound project for one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK on time and on budget.

Smart-grid venture receives £2.4m in Government funding

THE Government is to provide £2.4 millon for the north’s first ever electricity ‘smart micro-grid’.

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OPINION & ANALYSIS

Is it possible to invest with conscience?

Claire McCombe

CEF welcomes fresh impetus - now let's build

John Armstrong

Is the sharing economy reshaping capitalism?

Patrick McAliskey

Business news see all »

Northern Ireland hospitality industry 'will be decimated' by immigration overhaul

Michael McHugh, PA

The Home Office's proposed skills criteria and salary threshold for overseas workers will "decimate" the north's hospitality sector, an industry representative has said.

Record year for Four Star Pizza after spike in online sales

FOUR Star pizza has said a 17 per cent rise in online sales contributed to a record year in 2019.

Mount Charles announces catering deal at Maynooth University

BELFAST-based food group Mount Charles has announced a four-year catering deal with Maynooth University.

Nursery manager in Mid Ulster and resilience co-ordinator in Armagh: this week's top jobs revealed

NIJOBS.com 17 Feb, 2020

Leading vacancy with Education Authority also makes NIJobs.com's top seven roles

Business Insight see all »

Catalyst searches for next generation of innovators in Invent competition

18 Feb, 2020

ENTRIES have opened for Catalyst's annual Invent initiative, which seeks to unearth the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs from across the north.

EY downgrades its 2020 growth forecast for Northern Ireland

Ryan McAleer 18 Feb, 2020

ECONOMIC growth in the north is expected to remain sluggish in 2020, an influential report has concluded.

Iceland expands Food Warehouse venture into Northern Ireland

Ryan McAleer 18 Feb, 2020

ICELAND has opened the north's first Food Warehouse outlet in Co Antrim, creating 30 jobs.

Jobs boost as imaging firm Cirdan plans move to former Coke plant

Gary McDonald Business Editor 18 Feb, 2020

MEDICAL informatics and imaging technology company firm Cirdan in Lisburn is planning 50 new jobs over the next three years after receiving a £1.

Markets see all »

Blue Chips up as oil prices rally on back of Trump's threat to pull out of Iran deal

10 May, 2018

LONDON'S blue-chip index was lifted by a rally in oil prices following confirmation that the US is to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.

Better bid for Shires gives FTSE a lift

Helen Cahill 25 Apr, 2018

THE FTSE 100 rose yesterday, supported by Shire's shares as the company received a revised takeover proposal from Takeda.

FTSE slips into red as strong pound compounds drop in retail

22 Mar, 2018

THE FTSE 100 dipped into the red yesterday, as a stronger pound compounded pain from a drop in retail stocks following a string of store closures and profit warnings at some of the UK's biggest chains.

Personal finance see all »

New tax relief for commercial structures and buildings

Malachy McLernon 17 Feb, 2020

QUESTION: My business has successfully expanded over the last three years and I'm planning to build new business premises as we have out grown our current facilities.

Pension tax relief loss in Budget?

Peter McGahan 17 Feb, 2020

THE UK Budget is due on March 11t and will have consequences for us all for sure, whether it be the short, medium or long term.

The £47,000 benefit of taking financial advice

Peter McGahan 10 Feb, 2020

WITH the ever changing political, fiscal and economic tides, how on earth can a person wade through those financial changes and the impact on their life goals, especially given that only a minority seek financial advice? So is it really worth having a financial adviser to do that? Few of us are aware of what we don't know, and that is where most mistakes can be made.

Don't panic over a missed tax return deadline, but do take action now

Feargal McCormack 10 Feb, 2020

QUESTION: The tax return deadline has just passed and due to winning new unexpected work in December and January I was unable to gather my accounting information and so I didn't submit my tax return.