A parking 'grace period' scheme - giving drivers in Lisburn and Newry an extra hour for free - has cost Stormont more than a quarter of its revenue from fees. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Another day done with the folks on the hill.

⬆️ MLAs are to receive a 27% increase in their salaries under proposals by a new Stormont panel set up to decide their pay. 🪙 Their annual wages will increase from £53,000 to £67,200 under the draft plans from the Independent Remuneration Board.

Belfast's north-south Glider delay 'hugely disappointing' says SDLP www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Time running out to introduce alcohol minimum pricing, says Health Minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

⬆️ The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed a 5% rise in the regional rate for households and 3% for businesses for 2026/27. 🪙 It said this would add 63p per week to the average household bill (£32.76 for the year). Most councils have yet to set their part of rates bills, the district rate.

The debate on Troubles legacy legislation is becoming "veterans vs victims", Stormont's Commissioner for Victims and Survivors has warned. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Treasury is to make £400m available to the Stormont executive this year to ensure departments can balance their budgets, the UK government has said. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Stormont assembly expresses 'no confidence' in communities minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Complaints of benefit fraud in Northern Ireland have significantly increased in the year since Stormont reintroduced the naming of people who have been convicted. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has clashed with members of a Stormont committee as questions were raised over a complaint to police of misconduct in public office. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Irish president Catherine Connolly welcomed on her first official visit to Northern Ireland www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston faces two-day suspension over 'breathe' remark www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jon Burrows is to call for a "line in the sand reset" as he officially becomes leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Stormont's finance minister halts business rates revaluation process www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Staffing challenges in the Northern Ireland Civil Service have 'escalated' with high sickness absence and rising vacancies, an Audit Office report has found. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mike Nesbitt to remain as Stormont health minister www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

'Sinn Féin billboard' investigated by council planners www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🏆 First female traitor win. 🏆 First double traitor win. 🏆 Celtic alliance win. And for Newry's Rachel Duffy, pulling a win like that from the jaws of defeat - absolutely incredible performance 🙌 #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsFinal

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons 'breached ministerial code' over Facebook post, Stormont standards commissioner finds www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Pubs and hotels in Northern Ireland look set to face higher business rates as a result of a significant increase in their property valuations. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Stormont must fund its "priorities first" before more money is given to sporting projects such as Casement Park, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has said. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Stormont parties clash over 'Sinn Féin billboard' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Sinn Féin tribute to Mickey Brady after death of former MP www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

DUP invites incoming UUP leader to talks on unionist cooperation www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jon Burrows looks set to become the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party as Robbie Butler confirms he will not be putting his name forward. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Commonwealth Games NI confirms it will continue to use the Ulster Banner as the flag to represent Northern Ireland at future events.

Stormont's sports minister Gordon Lyons says there should be no change to the flag representing Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games this year or in future years. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

First Minister Michelle O'Neill says the Northern Ireland Executive must "do all it can" to agree a multi-year budget for Stormont departments. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mugshots of convicted criminals will be more "routinely" released by the PSNI under new guidance. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A parcel depot run by the delivery firm Evri is being examined by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jon Burrows joins race for UUP leadership www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

There are choices Stormont "has got to make" over its draft multi-year budget, Secretary of State Hilary Benn has said. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Ulster Unionist Party has launched its formal process to select a new leader. Nominations are now open and will close on 15 Jan. An extraordinary general meeting will be held in Belfast on 31 Jan.

🏐 What does Stormont's draft multi-year budget say about Casement Park? £101.5m allocated for the next 4yrs. It's being described as an inflationary uplift of about £40m on the £62.5m previously pledged. So, adding it all together (Exec, GAA, UK & Irish govs), it suggests total pot of about £209m.

💼 A proposed multi-year budget has been published by Stormont's finance minister. 💵 It sets out funding proposals for 2026 to 29/30. 🚨 BUT it hasn't been agreed yet by the four-party NI Executive. 📰 More here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mike Nesbitt to stand down as Ulster Unionist Party leader www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

From AI to Kneecap and lampposts.. The political A to Z of Northern Ireland in 2025. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🎄 Belfast City Hall's iconic Christmas tree - once lit up by a US president during Northern Ireland's peace process - will from next year be an artificial tree instead of a real one under council plans. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The family of Natalie McNally say they've been left in "limbo" after being warned the murder trial over her death could be delayed because of industrial action by barristers. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ringfencing some £119m to settle cases brought by PSNI officers over a major data breach to be discussed by Stormont ministers www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

DUP accused of stalling plans by Stormont's justice minister to include transgender people as a 'protected' group in new hate crime legislation for Northern Ireland. ✍️ @bbcjaynemcc.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The first picture of damage caused to a Belfast lord mayor's portrait at the centre of a political row at Stormont has been obtained by BBC News NI. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Councils could "grind to a halt" if a Stormont minister's view on a cross-community voting procedure is implemented, councillors have warned. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A flags protocol in south Belfast is no longer being followed because of opposition to Irish language street signs, according to unionist councillors. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

DUP MLA William Irwin stepping down from Stormont after 20 years in elected politics www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly rejects 'panto season' claim over budget tensions www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Nearly half of social homes currently planned in Northern Ireland are no longer viable due to a cut in funding from Stormont, according to research by a body representing housing associations. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Letters reveal tensions at Stormont over money allocation ✍️ @bbcjaynemcc.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

First and deputy first ministers to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...