In this episode of Trading Up, host Jim Fitzpatrick and economist Professor Richard Ramsey unpack Northern Ireland's dramatic economic split.
While the private sector outperforms the rest of the UK with strong 1% quarterly growth - driven by booming manufacturing, tech, and financial services - the public sector is severely squeezed by tightening budgets.
The hosts analyse Westminster's £1.5 billion funding offer to Stormont, potential welfare reform incentives, and the Fiscal Council’s critical findings on high public sector pay and staffing levels.
They also tackle real-world pressures facing local consumers and businesses, including record diesel prices approaching £2 per litre, global supply chain risks, and the rapid transition to electric vehicles.
Finally, they explore global bond market volatility, 30-year gilt yields, and how rising interest rates directly impact local mortgages and public spending. Essential listening for anyone seeking key insights into Northern Ireland’s economic trajectory, fiscal policy, and business outlook.
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