Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald today announced an increase in the limits for payments and awards to workers in relation to certain employment rights. Taking effect from April 6, the limit on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal rises from £115,341 to £118,455. Also, the maximum amount for one week’s pay for the purpose of…
An opportunity to provide input into Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) policy development in Northern Ireland. The Department for the Economy (DfE) has launched a consultation on the Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan’s (OREAP) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA). OREAP was developed to enable the ambition for offshore renewable…
Proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers from 1 April 2025 have been announced by the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB). The AWB for Northern Ireland has proposed to increase existing minimum wage rates for agricultural workers for all grades from 1 April 2025. New proposed minimum wage rates for agricultural workers Grade…
The Sustainable Community Building programme is now open for applications The National Lottery Community Fund accepts applications for the Sustainable Community Building programme, which provides grants of up to £50,000. This funding is to help organisations to: learn how to be more environmentally sustainable – by attending carbon literacy training understand what changes you can…
A cutting-edge initiative to support SMEs to enhance their productivity while embedding sustainable practices. The Productivity and Green Skills Accelerator Programme is a cutting-edge initiative aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland to enhance their productivity while embedding sustainable practices into their core operations. Delivered by the William J. Clinton Leadership…
This call for evidence seeks views, evidence and experiences of applying for and accessing debt finance in the UK for small businesses The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is seeking views, evidence and experiences of applying for and accessing debt finance in the UK. This call for evidence covers all aspects of: the lending…
New rates for statutory payments in force from April 2025. Employers should be aware that from April 2025, a number of statutory payment rates will increase for the 2025-26 financial year. All rates listed below will increase from Sunday 6 April 2025. Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Parental Bereavement Pay The Statutory Maternity…
Prepare for new parcels arrangements from 1 May 2025 Following the guidance issued in September 2024, there has been extensive preparatory work undertaken for the new arrangements for the movement of goods from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland by parcels or freight set out in the Windsor Framework. As a result,…
€17m funding is available to boost technology and social inclusion in rural areas The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) encourages eligible organisations to apply to the Smart Towns and Villages call under the PEACEPLUS programme. €17m of funding is available to boost technology and social inclusion in rural areas across Northern Ireland and the border…
Upcoming webinars from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to help employers, businesses and the self-employed understand tax issues that affect them. Listed below are a number of live HMRC webinars that will give the self-employed an understanding of key taxes that affect them and also help employers with payroll. The webinars are free and last…
