Analysis

Neil McLeese Opinion Covid: It’s time to consider the long-term impact on mental health of working from home on the Northern Ireland workforce

Coming into 2020 working from home wasn’t something that a lot of people would have considered. In fact, the ONS statistics show that in the five years up to December 2019 the numbers of people mainly working from home had only slightly increased from 4.3% to 5.1% of the total UK workforce. In Northern Ireland in 2019, only 3.8% of the working population reported that they mainly worked from home.

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John Simpson Opinion Magic money tree does exist ... funding to encourage people back into employment is the preferred option

The Northern Ireland Executive has told the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it would like to see an extension of the furlough wages subsidy, created as a response to the pandemic.

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John Simpson Opinion Resetting public finances for Northern Ireland

Nichola Mallon, Minister for the Infrastructure, has tasked a special team, chaired by Kirsty McManus, executive director of the Institute of Directors, to offer an assessment of the merits of the Executive agreeing to appoint an Infrastructure Commissioner.

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Richard Ramsey, Ulster Bank chief economist Opinion Will coronavirus pandemic kickstart young people into becoming more politically engaged?

The Kickstart Scheme has been one of the UK government’s flagship recovery policies to assist young people who are the age-group most economically impacted by COVID-19.

Maeve Hunt Opinion Help required for approaching storm of economic impact of Covid-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland

The full economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet known and may not be known for some time.

Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Digital and Culture Opinion Head to Northern Ireland for the UK’s most resilient digital tech sector

For years the UK’s tech sector was easy to locate: a stone’s throw from London’s financial district in the streets of Shoreditch or down the M4 corridor.

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Margaret Canning Opinion Rishi had a recipe for success with Eat Out to Help Out but what's next?

Tthe Chancellor's Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been a huge success at generating visits to restaurants and cafes in Northern Ireland. Using a discount to entice those of us who were nervous about eating out post-lockdown was an inspired piece of marketing and social engineering.

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Paul MacFlynn Opinion On half-year anniversary of furlough scheme, it's time to consider a viable alternative

Today marks an important anniversary in the economic management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Andrew Webb Opinion Pandemic should trigger a mood of innovation and invention

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our society and economy. As the initial shock of lockdown subsided, a great deal of thinking has been devoted to the type of economy into which we would re-emerge.

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Claire McNeilly Opinion Hard to ignore that feeling of emptiness in heart of Belfast city

Northern Ireland's main shopping thoroughfare appeared busy enough on a sunny bank holiday Monday - but look behind the scenes and a different story emerges.

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John Simpson Opinion Attracting new business key for NI economic policy despite Brexit and Covid trauma

Despite the trauma of Brexit and covid-19, an important continuing aspect of economic policy for Northern Ireland is the attraction of new investment business to this region.

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Neil Gibson Opinion Facing up to the new economic reality of living with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland

So much has changed since the last time I wrote an Economy Watch article that it is difficult to choose what topic with which to start the new season.

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John Simpson Opinion NI Water profits don't tell the whole story

NI Water has published its annual report for the year ending 31 March 2020. As a statement of accounts it is reassuring.

Aodhan Connolly Opinion The storm clouds are gathering over Northern Ireland's retail sector

It is no secret that the retail industry has been going through an immensely tough time in this past few months. Retailers large and small across the UK have lost billions due to the sheer scale of the collapse in sales during March to July compared to the same period last year.

Anneliese Dodds Opinion We must invest wisely in areas that truly need it

The Covid-19 pandemic poses exceptional challenges to governments across the world. As well as the immediate public health impacts, there are also the huge economic effects that we will be living with for the foreseeable future.

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Margaret Canning Opinion Cosy and secure for over 50 years, now Marks and Spencer has been forced to hit fast-forward

For consumers, Marks and Spencer has long had an image of cosiness and reliability - an image which hasn't always won it much new custom, particularly among younger consumers.

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Dr Lisa Wilson Opinion Women’s livelihoods must not be sacrificed after lockdown

The lockdown, put into place back in March in efforts to get the Covid-19 pandemic under control, effectively shut down a number of sectors of our economy and led to enormous and sudden changes in the way in which work was carried across the parts of the economy which were allowed to remain open.

Neil McShane Opinion Office sector in structural change

The debate is daily. But the reality is, no one knows for sure. We can only speculate about what will happen to the office sector.

Richard Kirk Opinion Young people part of solution to downturn in Northern Ireland

It was Harold Wilson who said "A week is a long time in politics". He coined the phrase in the run up to the 1964 election as a nod to the fast-changing nature of the political landscape.

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John Simpson Opinion An uncertain future for in-branch banking

Banks managers are having a difficult time maintaining the viability of their branches in towns and villages. The business planners in bank head offices need to re-orientate their criteria when deciding if a branch should be retained.

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Esmond Birnie Opinion What our priorities must be to promote a recovery

Now we know. The UK has had a recession and Northern Ireland is in the same boat.

Dan O'Brien Opinion Hospitality facing same pain as property sector in 2008 crash

Is the hospitality industry set to become the equivalent of the construction industry during the property crash? After Tuesday's announcement that another step towards reopening in the Republic is to be paused - followed by a delay for Northern Ireland's pubs to reopen - that question is more pertinent than ever.

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John Simpson Opinion Forecast from university gives a relatively positive outcome to Covid-19 crisis

Unemployment in Northern Ireland may increase to a peak of 13% later this year. But an otherwise optimistic assessment by the University of Ulster Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) suggests that the Northern Ireland economy could recover the lost output and incomes caused by the current recession by late 2023 or in 2024.

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John Simpson Opinion It’s not easy to keep UK functioning as a single market following Brexit

Leaving the European single market has become a complicated process. There are many agreements, legal requirements and informal working arrangements which were built up during the 40+ years of UK membership of the EU to unscramble.

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John Simpson Opinion The complex reality of Brexit is now sinking in

On January 1 2021 a new regulatory environment, out of Brexit, will be the new norm. After the UK finally ceases to be a member of the EU, business, farming and working in Northern Ireland all face new uncertainties.

Ann Watt Opinion Covid-19 hasn't made other challenges vanish

Having focused on tackling Covid-19 in recent months, the Northern Ireland Executive now needs to address the long-standing problems facing our economy and public services.

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Will the legacy of coronavirus lockdown be a cleaner, greener future for all in Northern Ireland?

Our towns and cities could become greener and cleaner as a legacy of lockdown, experts hope.

David Jones Opinion Steps Northern Ireland needs to take to shape up for future

Boris Johnson has announced his desire to accelerate the transformation of high streets across the UK with an influx of residential developments to fill the gaps left behind by departing retailers.

Nigel Walsh Opinion NI businesses relieved to emerge from a long hibernation

The long-awaited easing of lockdown measures is finally here and while some of us may be shifting into holiday mode for a few days, many businesses are coming out of hibernation and welcoming customers through their doors for the first time in four months. Bars, restaurants, hair salons and retail stores are back open for business and while consumers may be rejoicing at the thought of a haircut or a meal they haven't had to prepare themselves, I'm sure many business owners are still searching for the light at the end of the tunnel.

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John Simpson Opinion NI universities feeling the pinch

Graduation ceremonies and garden parties are the usual features of university calendars in early July. This year, the physical and financial environments for both local universities are severely stretched.