08/07/2026
Invest NI-Backed Projects To Deliver More Than £760m Investment Across NI
A series of regional announcements published by Invest NI highlights significant investment commitments across Northern Ireland, with projects expected to create thousands of new jobs while supporting business growth, innovation and productivity.
The largest level of planned investment is in the Belfast City Council area, where Invest NI-backed projects are expected to generate £325 million of investment. Elsewhere, businesses in Newry, Mourne and Down are planning £85 million of investment alongside the creation of more than 400 new jobs, while Mid Ulster is expected to see £81 million invested and more than 300 jobs created. Across the remaining council areas, Invest NI-supported investment totals include £48 million in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, £41 million in both Derry City and Strabane and Fermanagh and Omagh, £40 million in Causeway Coast and Glens, £38 million in Lisburn and Castlereagh, £20 million in Mid and East Antrim, £18 million in Antrim and Newtownabbey, and £11 million in Ards and North Down.
According to Invest NI, the projects span a range of sectors and include investment in capital equipment, research and development, innovation, automation, skills development and export growth.
The regional announcements form part of Invest NI's annual performance results, which show the agency supported 2,221 investment projects during 2025-26. Overall, its support helped secure £764 million of business investment across Northern Ireland – the highest annual total in more than a decade – while the projects are expected to create 4,301 new jobs. Invest NI said it provided £126 million of assistance during the year, with every £1 of support helping to leverage around £6 of business investment.
Invest NI Chief Executive Kieran Donoghue said the results reflected the resilience and ambition of Northern Ireland businesses despite continuing economic uncertainty, with investment supporting growth across advanced manufacturing, engineering, agri-food, life and health sciences, technology and business services.
The largest level of planned investment is in the Belfast City Council area, where Invest NI-backed projects are expected to generate £325 million of investment. Elsewhere, businesses in Newry, Mourne and Down are planning £85 million of investment alongside the creation of more than 400 new jobs, while Mid Ulster is expected to see £81 million invested and more than 300 jobs created. Across the remaining council areas, Invest NI-supported investment totals include £48 million in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, £41 million in both Derry City and Strabane and Fermanagh and Omagh, £40 million in Causeway Coast and Glens, £38 million in Lisburn and Castlereagh, £20 million in Mid and East Antrim, £18 million in Antrim and Newtownabbey, and £11 million in Ards and North Down.
According to Invest NI, the projects span a range of sectors and include investment in capital equipment, research and development, innovation, automation, skills development and export growth.
The regional announcements form part of Invest NI's annual performance results, which show the agency supported 2,221 investment projects during 2025-26. Overall, its support helped secure £764 million of business investment across Northern Ireland – the highest annual total in more than a decade – while the projects are expected to create 4,301 new jobs. Invest NI said it provided £126 million of assistance during the year, with every £1 of support helping to leverage around £6 of business investment.
Invest NI Chief Executive Kieran Donoghue said the results reflected the resilience and ambition of Northern Ireland businesses despite continuing economic uncertainty, with investment supporting growth across advanced manufacturing, engineering, agri-food, life and health sciences, technology and business services.
Latest Northern Ireland News
08 July 2026
NI Water Urges Households To Skip Sprinklers In Hot Weather
As temperatures climb, NI Water is asking gardeners to go 'eau' naturelle by giving sprinklers and hosepipes a rest, stressing that established lawns can withstand dry spells and that trimming outdoor use helps ease pressure on water supplies during the busy summer months.
NI Water Urges Households To Skip Sprinklers In Hot Weather
As temperatures climb, NI Water is asking gardeners to go 'eau' naturelle by giving sprinklers and hosepipes a rest, stressing that established lawns can withstand dry spells and that trimming outdoor use helps ease pressure on water supplies during the busy summer months.
08 July 2026
Belfast Fleadh Gears Up With 1,300 Volunteers To Welcome Visitors
More than 1,300 people have signed up to volunteer for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann in Belfast next month, with training under way and up to 800,000 attendees expected.
Belfast Fleadh Gears Up With 1,300 Volunteers To Welcome Visitors
More than 1,300 people have signed up to volunteer for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann in Belfast next month, with training under way and up to 800,000 attendees expected.
08 July 2026
Budget Energy To Raise Electricity Tariffs By 9.5% From 4 August
Budget Energy will raise variable electricity tariffs by 9.5% from 4 August 2026, adding about £122 a year to a typical credit customer's bill and roughly £121 for a standard-rate keypad user. The company, Northern Ireland's third-largest electricity supplier, said the change applies to variable tariffs.
Budget Energy To Raise Electricity Tariffs By 9.5% From 4 August
Budget Energy will raise variable electricity tariffs by 9.5% from 4 August 2026, adding about £122 a year to a typical credit customer's bill and roughly £121 for a standard-rate keypad user. The company, Northern Ireland's third-largest electricity supplier, said the change applies to variable tariffs.
08 July 2026
Invest NI-Backed Projects To Deliver More Than £760m Investment Across NI
A series of regional announcements published by Invest NI highlights significant investment commitments across Northern Ireland, with projects expected to create thousands of new jobs while supporting business growth, innovation and productivity.
Invest NI-Backed Projects To Deliver More Than £760m Investment Across NI
A series of regional announcements published by Invest NI highlights significant investment commitments across Northern Ireland, with projects expected to create thousands of new jobs while supporting business growth, innovation and productivity.
08 July 2026
South Eastern Trust Urges Blood Donations
Donated blood is central to lifesaving care across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which is appealing to eligible people to give blood to help maintain steady supplies for patients. Staff say demand remains constant and that transfusions underpin both planned procedures and urgent, unpredictable emergencies.
South Eastern Trust Urges Blood Donations
Donated blood is central to lifesaving care across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which is appealing to eligible people to give blood to help maintain steady supplies for patients. Staff say demand remains constant and that transfusions underpin both planned procedures and urgent, unpredictable emergencies.
08 July 2026
Ombudsman Rules PSNI's Use Of Force During June Disorder Proportionate
A review by the Police Ombudsman into the PSNI's deployment of water cannon and 'Attenuating Energy Projectiles' (AEPs) during public disorder in June has found the force used was proportionate. Officers discharged AEPs 20 times and used water cannon to manage disorder on the night of 10 June 2026.
Ombudsman Rules PSNI's Use Of Force During June Disorder Proportionate
A review by the Police Ombudsman into the PSNI's deployment of water cannon and 'Attenuating Energy Projectiles' (AEPs) during public disorder in June has found the force used was proportionate. Officers discharged AEPs 20 times and used water cannon to manage disorder on the night of 10 June 2026.
08 July 2026
O’Dowd Urges Businesses To Have Their Say On Business Rates Reforms
Finance Minister John O'Dowd has met Belfast Chamber to discuss proposed changes to Northern Ireland's non-domestic rating system and to encourage businesses to contribute to the ongoing consultation on the Business Growth Accelerator and Non-Domestic Vacant Rating.
O’Dowd Urges Businesses To Have Their Say On Business Rates Reforms
Finance Minister John O'Dowd has met Belfast Chamber to discuss proposed changes to Northern Ireland's non-domestic rating system and to encourage businesses to contribute to the ongoing consultation on the Business Growth Accelerator and Non-Domestic Vacant Rating.
08 July 2026
Muir Unveils Northern Ireland’s First Tree Planting Action Plan
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched Northern Ireland's first Tree Planting Action Plan, a blueprint to accelerate woodland creation and support the goal of reaching 12% forest cover by 2050.
Muir Unveils Northern Ireland’s First Tree Planting Action Plan
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched Northern Ireland's first Tree Planting Action Plan, a blueprint to accelerate woodland creation and support the goal of reaching 12% forest cover by 2050.
08 July 2026
O'Neill And Little-Pengelly Spotlight North West Regeneration
The Ministers began at Meenan Square, where they marked the start of construction on a flagship regeneration project backed by £13 million from The Executive Office's Urban Villages Initiative. The scheme will provide new homes, community facilities, commercial space and a renewed public square.
O'Neill And Little-Pengelly Spotlight North West Regeneration
The Ministers began at Meenan Square, where they marked the start of construction on a flagship regeneration project backed by £13 million from The Executive Office's Urban Villages Initiative. The scheme will provide new homes, community facilities, commercial space and a renewed public square.
08 July 2026
£19.5m Upgrade Completed At Ballinrees Water Treatment Works
A £19.5 million investment at Ballinrees Water Treatment Works, outside Coleraine, has been completed, delivering a new treatment building, extra emergency storage and a pumping station to bolster drinking water quality and supply resilience across the north coast and parts of Limavady and L'Derry.
£19.5m Upgrade Completed At Ballinrees Water Treatment Works
A £19.5 million investment at Ballinrees Water Treatment Works, outside Coleraine, has been completed, delivering a new treatment building, extra emergency storage and a pumping station to bolster drinking water quality and supply resilience across the north coast and parts of Limavady and L'Derry.
-




Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a rather cloudy start it will be a dry day with some bright or sunny spells developing later in the morning and a sunny afternoon will follow, though cloud may persist over northeastern coasts. Very warm, with light winds. Maximum temperature 24 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with some sunshine. Overnight staying dry and clear in the eastm while parts of the west will turn cloudier. Minimum temperature 13 °C.

