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A report that found people who identify as white Irish typically earn considerably more than the average white Briton challenges old stereotypes, an economist has said. The Sewell Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (Cred) found that the average earnings of Chinese, Indian and white Irish exceed those of white British people - with the Irish topping the list, having average earnings 41% higher that the white British. At the other end of the scale were Pakistani and mixed white/black African communities, earning 15% less on average than white British people. The report found that while white Irish scored very well in terms of educational attainment, Irish Traveller children did worst of all in terms of educational achievement. ....
Ulster University economist Dr Esmond Birnie said the cost to the local economy would easily run into the millions And as we re seeing all the time, various establishments are shutting down permanently. We saw Thorntons shut all their physical shops in the UK, but obviously we ve lost a lot of chains of retailers. I imagine there will be a lot of cafes and restaurants - when the restrictions are lifted - who sadly will have given up. Asked about what support may be needed for organisers of cancelled events, he said: I suppose there is a question of how to incentivise or stimulate people back on to the high street to spend. ....
BBC News By John Campbell Published An independent budget watchdog for Stormont is to begin work shortly. It will be chaired by Sir Robert Chote who spent 10 years as the chairman of the UK s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). He will be joined by Prof Alan Barrett, the director of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in Dublin. The other members are Northern Ireland-based economists Maureen O Reilly and Esmond Birnie. The body, which to be known as the Independent Fiscal Council, will make an annual assessment of the Northern Ireland Executive s revenue streams and spending proposals. It will also prepare an annual report on the sustainability of the executive s public finances, including the implications of spending policy and the effectiveness of long-term efficiency measures. ....
After almost a year marked by stay-at-home orders, Northern Ireland workers are counting some unexpected financial benefits arising out of working from home. ....
Stormont s Department for the Economy (DfE) is under "extreme risk" due to severe staffing pressures - with almost a quarter of all positions unfilled. ....