07/08/2026
Survey Finds Record Lows In Support For Refugees And Asylum Seekers In 2025
The Executive Office has published the 'Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2025' report, drawing on Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey data to assess public views.
In 2025, agreement with five of the six statements examined fell to the lowest levels recorded, with statistically significant declines compared with every previous year in which each question was asked.
Just under half of respondents (49%) agreed asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Northern Ireland, significantly lower than in each year from 2018 to 2024. Only 27% agreed Northern Ireland is a society that welcomes refugees escaping persecution, a significant decline from every year 2019 to 2024. A majority (57%) agreed it is "our duty to provide protection to refugees who are escaping persecution in their home country", but this too was significantly down on every year from 2019 to 2024.
Views on the contribution of refugees and on engagement opportunities also decreased: 41% agreed refugees contribute to our society, down from 53% in 2023 and 50% in 2024; and 37% said they would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees, down from 44% in 2023 and 47% in 2024. Agreement that the media negatively affects perceptions was unchanged at 69% in both 2024 and 2025.
The report and accompanying data tables are available on the Statistics and Research pages of the Executive Office website: www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/topics/refugees-and-asylum-seekers.
For further information, contact the Statistics and Analysis Unit, The Executive Office, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SR, or email analyticalunit@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk.
In 2025, agreement with five of the six statements examined fell to the lowest levels recorded, with statistically significant declines compared with every previous year in which each question was asked.
Views on the contribution of refugees and on engagement opportunities also decreased: 41% agreed refugees contribute to our society, down from 53% in 2023 and 50% in 2024; and 37% said they would like more opportunities to get to know asylum seekers or refugees, down from 44% in 2023 and 47% in 2024. Agreement that the media negatively affects perceptions was unchanged at 69% in both 2024 and 2025.
The report and accompanying data tables are available on the Statistics and Research pages of the Executive Office website: www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/topics/refugees-and-asylum-seekers.
For further information, contact the Statistics and Analysis Unit, The Executive Office, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SR, or email analyticalunit@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk.
Latest Northern Ireland News
07 August 2026
Traffic Disruption Expected As Apprentice Boys Parade Takes Place In L'Derry
The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade will be held in the city on Saturday 8 August. Police are advising motorists to expect traffic diversions and delays from around 9am due to smaller feeder parades, ahead of the main parade at 12.30pm. On-street parking along the parade route will be restricted for the duration.
Traffic Disruption Expected As Apprentice Boys Parade Takes Place In L'Derry
The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade will be held in the city on Saturday 8 August. Police are advising motorists to expect traffic diversions and delays from around 9am due to smaller feeder parades, ahead of the main parade at 12.30pm. On-street parking along the parade route will be restricted for the duration.
07 August 2026
Minister O'Dowd Appoints Two Members To Utility Regulator Board
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Minister O'Dowd Appoints Two Members To Utility Regulator Board
Finance Minister John O'Dowd has named two new non-executive members to the Board of the Utility Regulator. Sean Hogan, who brings extensive experience across utilities, water and public sector governance, will serve a seven-year term from 10 August 2026.
07 August 2026
M3 Lagan Bridge Maintenance To Begin Mid-August
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M3 Lagan Bridge Maintenance To Begin Mid-August
A major programme of maintenance on the M3 Lagan Bridge in Belfast will begin on Friday 14 August 2026. This is the third phase of bridge bearing replacements, following earlier phases in 2024 and 2025. So far, 18 bearings have been replaced; a further six are now scheduled, affecting the bridge's on and off slip roads.
07 August 2026
Three Men Extradited From RoI Over 2019 Lisnaskea Machete Attack
Three men have been extradited from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland to face trial over a 2019 machete attack in Lisnaskea. The men, aged 55, 33 and 29, were extradited on Thursday 6 August and appeared before Newry Magistrates' Court the same morning.
Three Men Extradited From RoI Over 2019 Lisnaskea Machete Attack
Three men have been extradited from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland to face trial over a 2019 machete attack in Lisnaskea. The men, aged 55, 33 and 29, were extradited on Thursday 6 August and appeared before Newry Magistrates' Court the same morning.
07 August 2026
78-Year-Old Dunmurry Man To Run Belfast Half Marathon For BHF NI
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78-Year-Old Dunmurry Man To Run Belfast Half Marathon For BHF NI
A 78-year-old man from Dunmurry is gearing up for his third half marathon in a matter of months to support British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI), after heart conditions transformed life for his family. Robert Mearns will line up at the Belfast Half Marathon this September, having already completed events in Hillsborough and Lisburn.
07 August 2026
Social Apartments Open In L'Derry
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Social Apartments Open In L'Derry
The first residents have begun moving into Arbour Housing’s John Street development in L'Derry, which provides 40 high-quality social apartments for people aged 55 and over. The £7.5 million project comprises 24 two-bedroom and 16 one-bedroom homes, designed to support independent living.
07 August 2026
New Secretary Of State Urged To Back NI's Food And Energy Role
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New Secretary Of State Urged To Back NI's Food And Energy Role
Ulster Unionist Agriculture spokesperson and AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler has urged the new Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant, to be a vigorous advocate for Northern Ireland's distinctive contribution to the United Kingdom's food and energy security.
07 August 2026
Survey Finds Record Lows In Support For Refugees And Asylum Seekers In 2025
The Executive Office has published the 'Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2025' report, drawing on Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey data to assess public views.
Survey Finds Record Lows In Support For Refugees And Asylum Seekers In 2025
The Executive Office has published the 'Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2025' report, drawing on Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey data to assess public views.
07 August 2026
NI Water Urges Families To Build DIY Raincatchers This Summer
NI Water is inviting households to make the most of the summer break by creating DIY raincatchers to collect rainwater for use in the garden. A DIY raincatcher, or mini waterbutt, can be made from an empty plastic milk bottle. Once decorated and secured to a fence, it can store rainwater for jobs such as watering plants.
NI Water Urges Families To Build DIY Raincatchers This Summer
NI Water is inviting households to make the most of the summer break by creating DIY raincatchers to collect rainwater for use in the garden. A DIY raincatcher, or mini waterbutt, can be made from an empty plastic milk bottle. Once decorated and secured to a fence, it can store rainwater for jobs such as watering plants.
07 August 2026
Sinn Féin Delegation Presses Parades Commission Ahead Of Newry Royal Black Parade
A Sinn Féin delegation comprising Liz Kimmins MLA, Dáire Hughes MP and Cllr Aidan Mathers has met the Parades Commission to relay residents' views in advance of forthcoming parades in Newry. A large Royal Black Institution parade is scheduled to take place in Newry on 29 August.
Sinn Féin Delegation Presses Parades Commission Ahead Of Newry Royal Black Parade
A Sinn Féin delegation comprising Liz Kimmins MLA, Dáire Hughes MP and Cllr Aidan Mathers has met the Parades Commission to relay residents' views in advance of forthcoming parades in Newry. A large Royal Black Institution parade is scheduled to take place in Newry on 29 August.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:This morning will be dry across all parts will sunny spells. It will remain dry this afternoon with some bright or sunny spells. Warm, locally very warm across Down. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry with some late sunshine. Then becoming cloudy overnight with some light and patchy rain extending northeast for a time. Freshening southwesterly in the northwest. Minimum temperature 13 °C.