18/12/2025
Major Childcare Reform Proposed To Slash Costs for Working Families
A significant transformation of the early years sector is underway as Education Minister Paul Givan unveils the draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy.
The ambitious plan, which has received Executive approval, aims to drastically reduce the financial burden on parents while expanding the availability and sustainability of childcare services across Northern Ireland.
Latest Northern Ireland News
18 December 2025
Major Childcare Reform Proposed To Slash Costs for Working Families
A significant transformation of the early years sector is underway as Education Minister Paul Givan unveils the draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy.
Major Childcare Reform Proposed To Slash Costs for Working Families
A significant transformation of the early years sector is underway as Education Minister Paul Givan unveils the draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy.
18 December 2025
£119m Secured To Settle Landmark PSNI Data Breach Payouts
The Northern Ireland Executive has officially committed £119 million to address the financial and legal fallout from the PSNI data breach.
£119m Secured To Settle Landmark PSNI Data Breach Payouts
The Northern Ireland Executive has officially committed £119 million to address the financial and legal fallout from the PSNI data breach.
18 December 2025
Bank Of Ireland Issues Christmas Warning As Purchase Scams Soar
Bank of Ireland has issued an urgent alert to consumers during the festive shopping period, revealing that purchase scams now represent 67% of all reported fraud. These scams, which frequently involve fraudulent advertisements on social media for non-existent or misrepresented goods, have seen a 27% increase over the past 18 months.
Bank Of Ireland Issues Christmas Warning As Purchase Scams Soar
Bank of Ireland has issued an urgent alert to consumers during the festive shopping period, revealing that purchase scams now represent 67% of all reported fraud. These scams, which frequently involve fraudulent advertisements on social media for non-existent or misrepresented goods, have seen a 27% increase over the past 18 months.
18 December 2025
HMRC Warns Of 4,800 Self Assessment Scams As Deadline Nears
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a fresh alert after more than 4,800 Self Assessment-related scams were reported since February 2025. Criminals are sending fake tax demands and using intimidating tactics to trick people into sharing personal details, particularly at times when taxpayers expect to hear from HMRC.
HMRC Warns Of 4,800 Self Assessment Scams As Deadline Nears
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a fresh alert after more than 4,800 Self Assessment-related scams were reported since February 2025. Criminals are sending fake tax demands and using intimidating tactics to trick people into sharing personal details, particularly at times when taxpayers expect to hear from HMRC.
18 December 2025
PSNI Chief Constable Acknowledges Supreme Court Judgment in Thompson Case
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has formally acknowledged the judgment handed down today by the UK Supreme Court in the significant Thompson case, recognising the clarity the ruling provides on complex legal matters.
PSNI Chief Constable Acknowledges Supreme Court Judgment in Thompson Case
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has formally acknowledged the judgment handed down today by the UK Supreme Court in the significant Thompson case, recognising the clarity the ruling provides on complex legal matters.
18 December 2025
Rural Roads Benefit From Multi-Million Pound Investment Boost
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a significant funding injection of more than £30m aimed at upgrading Northern Ireland's road infrastructure. The package includes a specific £4m allocation dedicated to addressing the unique maintenance needs of rural roads across the region.
Rural Roads Benefit From Multi-Million Pound Investment Boost
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a significant funding injection of more than £30m aimed at upgrading Northern Ireland's road infrastructure. The package includes a specific £4m allocation dedicated to addressing the unique maintenance needs of rural roads across the region.
18 December 2025
Alliance Party Welcomes Childcare Strategy But Warns Of Lack Of Targets
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA has responded to the release of the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, welcoming its arrival while questioning the lack of specific targets.
Alliance Party Welcomes Childcare Strategy But Warns Of Lack Of Targets
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA has responded to the release of the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, welcoming its arrival while questioning the lack of specific targets.
18 December 2025
Two Arrested In Crackdown On Illegal Online Gaming
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch carried out a series of searches today, Wednesday 17 December, resulting in the arrest of two individuals in the Belfast and Craigavon areas. A 43-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were taken into custody.
Two Arrested In Crackdown On Illegal Online Gaming
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch carried out a series of searches today, Wednesday 17 December, resulting in the arrest of two individuals in the Belfast and Craigavon areas. A 43-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were taken into custody.
18 December 2025
Belfast Communities Celebrate With £85,000 Festive Funding Boost
Belfast City Council has distributed £85,000 in funding to support a diverse programme of over 90 festive events across the city's neighbourhoods. The initiative saw five separate grants of £17,000 allocated to lead organisations in North, South, East, and West Belfast, as well as the Greater Shankill area.
Belfast Communities Celebrate With £85,000 Festive Funding Boost
Belfast City Council has distributed £85,000 in funding to support a diverse programme of over 90 festive events across the city's neighbourhoods. The initiative saw five separate grants of £17,000 allocated to lead organisations in North, South, East, and West Belfast, as well as the Greater Shankill area.
18 December 2025
Deadline Extension For Breeding Regulation Review
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that an expert advisory group tasked with reviewing dog breeding legislation in Northern Ireland has been granted an extension.
Deadline Extension For Breeding Regulation Review
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that an expert advisory group tasked with reviewing dog breeding legislation in Northern Ireland has been granted an extension.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.