🚨 New Pivotal tracker report reviews recent progress by the Northern Ireland Executive on the Programme for Government and other priorities Read the report here https://t.co/CWD7fHUlEp

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What does yesterday's Covid Inquiry report mean for Northern Ireland? We look at some of the key findings below: https://t.co/dGU39jQA8S

On World Children's Day, this week's guest blog on Pivotal Platform is from the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, @nichildcom, Chris Quinn. https://t.co/qYxThSw7UC

A new Pivotal report, 'Voluntary and community sector-led approaches to economic inactivity', commissioned by @NICVA has been launched at Stormont. Details and a link to the full report here - https://t.co/qhWu5p3FuK

Speaking today at the @agendani Northern Ireland Economic Conference, @Economy_NI Minister Dr @CArchibald_SF highlighted that despite challenging global economic conditions, our businesses continue to demonstrate their resilience. The Minister said: “Economic growth in the

Another great session of the PLDP last night as our cohort continued work on their Briefing Papers.

"It’s now time to work together and ensure that NI sets the standard when it comes to protecting workers from the impact of extreme weather events." Susan Fitzgerald, Regional Secretary of @UniteunionNI, is this week's guest writer on Pivotal Platform. https://t.co/4hULA3S0EW

@NIArthritis very own @John_Mc_Cormick wrote a piece for @pivotalpolicy to make the case for arthritis to be recognised as an urgent healthcare priority #TakingArthritisSeriously

Thanks @pivotalpolicy for the opportunity make the case for arthritis to be recognised as an urgent healthcare priority #TakingArthritisSeriously

Last night, @mairtin_mac gave an inspiring talk to our PLDP cohort about his work with @Donate4Daithi and the power of storytelling. Our working groups also gave updates on their briefing papers so far, offering fresh perspectives on some of the challenges facing NI.

"Arthritis has a massive impact on society and is a leading cause of pain, disability, mental ill-health and inability to work." John McCormick of @NIArthritis, @arthritisukorg, is this week's guest writer on Pivotal Platform. https://t.co/glwNLaJN7R

"Focusing too much on what’s happening at the frontier distracts from more meaningful questions for most organisations." Donnacha Kirk, of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), is this week's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform. https://t.co/dr2k3A6JG3

Looking at the bigger picture takes us back to the need for public service transformation, which is fundamental to finding longer term solutions. Transformation is essential - it’s the only way services will be affordable now and in the future 6/6

4. Maintaining pay parity means public sector pay takes up most or all of funding increases Northern Ireland receives. Increasingly difficult to fund pay awards AND maintain all existing services AND pay for demographic pressures AND continue not to raise revenue locally 5/6

3. Funding pay parity is challenging here, because of relatively larger public sector. Note also DH budget at start of 25-26 was less than 1% higher than its total spending in 24-25, yet Dept is expected to find funding for 3.6% pay award. Not surprising this is difficult 4/6

Some comments: 1. Funding pay awards should be planned for in depts’ budgets at the start of the year. Instead, again and again there is a crisis late in the year. 2. Little prospect of depts making much in savings this year (too late) or of additional funding from UK Govt 3/6

Recent Executive paper said funding pressures this year totalled £785 million - £352m in Health, £282m in Education, £31m in Justice, plus £119m for the PSNI data breach. Finance Minister said priority should be funding public sector pay awards via December monitoring round 2/6

Pressures on departments’ budgets - how will the Executive find the funding for public sector pay awards? Ann Watt on Sunday Politics yesterday talked about Northern Ireland’s budget position this yr, including public sector pay awards (from 17:10) 🧵1/6 https://t.co/7o33m6HCvi

Belatedly caught up with this … https://t.co/XbgxxMrnLQ … well worth watching and @MLClem book well worth reading as are all of @MichaelBarber9 books …

The government has rejected Stormont appeals over funding for the voluntary and community that the dept of @JohnODowdSF says could put at risk many of the 650 jobs dependent on the funding, @MarkCarruthers7 and Ann Watt of @pivotalpolicy discuss the latest funding cliff-edge